Kenneth I. Jaynes had a special love for the Connellsville community, his friends say.
His life was dedicated to the community, said Bob McLuckey, who served on the Connellsville Area School District Falcon Foundation with Jaynes, who died in 2018.
Jaynes was the foundation’s first president, and the organization decided to name foundation scholarships in his honor — the Kenneth I. Jaynes Memorial Scholarship.
“We have a lot of wonderful students,” said Jane Sandusky, scholarship committee chairwoman.
She said $500 Kenneth I. Jaynes Memorial Scholarships are available annually to two Connellsville Area High School students and one Connellsville Area Career & Technical Center student.
Member William Wilson said the forms can be completed online and sent electronically.
Winners will be selected by the Falcon Foundation committee and recognized at the district’s senior awards ceremony.
McLuckey said winners are listed on plaques in the schools.
“We thought putting his name on the scholarship would be a good way of honoring Ken Jaynes,” McLuckey said. “Ken Jaynes was a citizen who contributed to his community in so many ways.”
Students who receive scholarships are distinguished in the areas of school and community service, Sandusky said.
Selection is not based on need, she added.
Wilson said foundation scholarships were established in 2010 and in the beginning only two annual scholarships were awarded, Wilson said.
The third scholarship was added through the support of Jaynes’ family.
“Their support is just wonderful,” Sandusky said.
“The Jaynes’ family involvement is a tremendous help,” said McLuckey, adding the family helps the foundation raise money for the scholarships.
The foundation is currently conducting a ticket sale. A Bullskin Township family donated Penguins tickets for the fundraiser.
“We were blown away by their generosity,” McLuckey said.
Other fundraisers take place throughout the year.
The committee is thankful for support from the community — businesses and individuals.
The members thanked Mid Penn Bank, which has supported the foundation for years – providing the largest source of income.
The foundation established a Hall of Fame in 2010 to recognize outstanding graduates of the Connellsville Area School District and former Connellsville and Dunbar Township high schools, as well as nongraduates who have contributed to the school systems.
Hall of Fame recognition may result from achievement in such areas as public service, military service, careers, the arts, music, athletics and education.
The hall also celebrates talent, work ethic and spirit of the people from the school district as a way to promote a greater sense of school and community pride.
The foundation provides $300 grants to teachers, money that helps with small classroom projects, including materials needed for instruction.
This year, the foundation will present 10 grants. The foundation also makes larger donations to the district.
In past years, district donations have provided materials for learning support classes, calculators for high school math classes and materials to help establish the high school FabLab.
Money once was used for a balloon launch that helped teach elementary students about weather forecasting.
The foundation helped to sponsor the Ryan’s Story program in which the father of a suicide victim talked to middle and high school students about how bullying affects people.
