KITTERY — Two deserving graduates of schools in York County are among an elite group of students from across the country to be awarded scholarships by the Simon Youth Foundation.

Brandon Robert Hall of Saco and Amelia Lorrey of Kittery were selected for scholarships based upon their hard work and determination in the classroom. 

Both Hall and Lorrey were presented with their scholarships awards during a ceremony at Kittery Premium Outlets, a Simon property.

“Simon Youth Foundation is a national organization, but we can feel the benefit of its efforts right here at home with these local scholarship opportunities,” said Elizabeth Fourar-Laidi, General Manager of Kittery Premium Outlets.

Hall is a graduate of Thornton Academy and received a $500 Power of Orange Scholarship. He is now attending Wagner College.

Lorrey is a graduate of Robert W. Traip Academy and received a $1,500 Community Scholarship. She is now attending Swarthmore College. 

The Simon Youth Foundation operates 30 non-traditional high school academies across the country, housed primarily in Simon properties, and also provides a scholarship to one student in every community where there is a Simon property.

Since its inception in 1998, Simon Youth Foundation has assisted 14,000 at-risk students receive a high school diploma, and has awarded more than $16 million in college scholarships to deserving students.

“Simon Youth Foundation believes that every student deserves the support necessary to earn their high school diploma, and that financial reasons should never be the reason preventing a student from pursuing their dreams,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, President and CEO of Simon Youth Foundation.  “We are thrilled to have the support of our incredible corporate partner, Simon, and their Simon Supports Education movement.”

For more information or to apply for a Simon Youth Foundation scholarship, visit syf.org 

— Executive Editor Ed Pierce can be reached at 282-1535 ext. 326 or by email at editor@journaltribune.com