Adams County Community Foundation Awards 67 Scholarships to Local Students in 2026

Sixty-seven Adams County students will receive scholarships in 2026 through five endowed funds managed by the Adams County Community Foundation, the organization announced March 22. The awards push the foundation's six-year running total to 201 scholarships distributed to local students pursuing college and trade school opportunities.

The five endowed funds behind this year's awards are the CE Smith Family Scholarship Fund, the Charles Hugh McGovney Scholarship Fund, the Earl and Helen Johnson Scholarship Fund, the First State Bank Dan Ferguson Scholarship Fund, and the Adams County Scholarship Fund. Additional support comes from Adams Electric Cooperative, the Rotary Clubs of Gettysburg and Littlestown, and various families and professional associations.

Four new awards join the program in 2026. Plainville Farms added two scholarships targeting agriculture and trade students in Adams and York counties. The Lettie Dent Gough Scholarship Fund is offering a two-year, countywide award. Gettysburg Area High School students are eligible for a multiyear award through the newly established Leila (Tharp) Steiner and Paul W. Steiner Scholarship Fund. And the America250PA scholarship is reserved for civically engaged Adams County students.

Among the 67 recipients named in the March 22 announcement are Alanna Mays, Alisha Hargett, Angelian Gray, Anna Shelton, Aulbrea Meade, Ava Kingsley, Beau Hesler, Brandt Seaman, Brantyn Vogler, Caden Ferguson, Caleb Rothwell, Carlee Garrison, Chesnee Ayres, Cody Hesler, Colin Tolle, Colt Seaman, Dajia Sarver, Brylee Mills, Dalton Pence, Brianna Mullen Hayes, Elizabeth Hawes, Emily Evans, Emmalee Brammer, Gavin Hamilton, Lydia Maddox, Makinlee Stevenson, MaRhea Unger, Mary Wickerham, Mitchell Ohnewehr, Madee Koenig, Nash Grooms, Natalie Ragan, Nina McCann, Paige Evans, Randall Dunkin, Riley Richey, Ryan Mack, Samantha Scott, Shaelin Trantow, Trever Spires, Ronajhean Rebuta, Tyler Reed, Victory Beckwith, Wyatt Smart, and Wyatt Stepp, among others.

The foundation manages more than 100 local scholarships overall, matching applicants automatically to funds for which they qualify. Letters of recommendation are no longer required. Scholarship winners will be formally recognized at the April 29 Scholarship Award Breakfast.

The foundation's reach extends beyond individual awards. In 2022, it led a successful statewide effort to eliminate scholarship displacement at Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities, a practice in which receiving a private scholarship triggers a reduction in institutional aid. The reform means students keep the full benefit of awards like those announced this week.