Hage, Dewey Win $500 Bassett Foundation Scholarships

COOPERSTOWN – Cooperstown High School Seniors McKenna Hage and Patrick Dewey have won $500 scholarships by the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, in partnership with The Community Foundation for South Central New York.

Hage received the Mary Augusta and Wilson T. Bassett Scholarship, which recognizes excellence in academics, balanced development and a willingness to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

Dewey received the Elizabeth and Benjamin Bassett Scholarship for excellence in scholarship, good character and exemplary service to others in the community. The students received their scholarships in a brief ceremony at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown May 14.

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Bertine McKenna, Ph.D., expressed her gratitude to Robert Bassett for developing the scholarship program to recognize excellence among the area’s youth – who are our future leaders. McKenna told Hage and Dewey that they have already achieved a great deal in their lives, and she encouraged them to continue to “seize opportunities as they unfold as well as create opportunities to have a positive impact on those around you. Always remember, you have the power to inspire others,” concluded McKenna.

Patrick Dewey spoke to those gathered, thanking his parents and Cooperstown Central School for their support over the years. Dewey said he is looking forward to attending Edinboro University in Pennsylvania this fall; Edinboro is recognized as one of the best universities in the nation for students with disabilities. Dewey said Edinboro’s comprehensive programs and services will allow him to not only succeed academically, but have a rich social life as well.

McKenna Hage discussed her close friendship with Patrick and she thanked him for being such an inspiration to her throughout their school years and now as they both prepare to begin their college careers.

In addition to the scholarships awarded to Hage and Dewey, Robert Bassett awarded 20 other scholarships to graduating seniors at Binghamton High School, Morris Central School and Owego Free Academy. The scholarships were awarded on behalf of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, which partners with The Community Foundation for South Central New York to sustain and increase its capacity to help younger people in the Broome, Otsego and Tioga county area.

Bassett is president of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation, which has awarded 84 scholarships over 21 years to high school seniors in New York State. Bassett said he is continually inspired by young people who do and accomplish great things regardless of their life circumstances. He encouraged the students who are recipients of the 2015 scholarships to know and take pride in their family and community heritage so as to be part of something bigger than themselves.