Welch’s/National Scholarships go to three in county

Welch’s/National Scholarships have been awarded to SUNY Fredonia students Kathleen D.L. Smith of Fredonia, Christina Black of Westfield, and Cody-Anne Kranz of Sherman.

Each received a $1,000 scholarship for the academic year starting in August.  

Welch’s and the National Grape Cooperative endowed the scholarship with the Fredonia College Foundation for SUNY Fredonia students who are the children or grandchildren of their employees or members. 

Ms. Smith, a graduate of Brocton Central School and St. Bonaventure University, is working on her second bachelor’s degree in adolescence math education at SUNY Fredonia. Her parents, Harold and Lois Smith of Brocton, are 30-year members of the National Grape Co-operative Association.

Inspired to become a high school biology teacher, Ms. Black is a junior majoring in biology adolescent education at Fredonia. She graduated from Westfield Academy and is the daughter of David and Linda Bourne of Westfield, growers for the National Grape Co-operative Association. 

Starting her senior year as an English and education major this fall at Fredonia, Ms. Kranz is also preparing to teach at the high school level. “I place a high value on education and hope to instill that value in my students,” she said. She is the daughter of Cynthia Weise of Sherman, the nighttime fruit receiving supervisor for the National Grape Co-operative Association. 

Welch's is the world's leading producer of juices, jams and jellies made from Concord and Niagara grapes grown only in the U.S. and part of Canada. The National Grape Cooperative consists of more than 1,300 patrons who supply Welch’s with its principal raw products – Concord and Niagara grapes – from more than 49,000 acres of vineyards in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Washington, and Ontario, Canada.