Angelina Simon 2015 ACHS

	Angelina Simon

On May 29, 2015, at Amherst Central High School’s annual awards assembly, Angelina Simon became the nineteenth recipient of the school’s Angela Coniglio Memorial Scholarship. Angelina is a member of the National Honor Society, and an Honor Roll student in each of her four years at Amherst.

Angelina has volunteered for many community programs, including Laxing (Lacrossing) for Mia, Blue for Ben, and Pink the Field, and has made blankets and other gifts for children patients at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. She was on the girls’ Varsity Soccer Team for four years, and also played on the Amherst girls’ Varsity Lacrosse Team for four years, serving as team captain in her junior and senior years. Angelina received both an Athletic and an Academic Scholarship to Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she will play Lacrosse, and study Early Childhood Education.

After the ceremony, the 2014 recipient of the Angela Coniglio Memorial Scholarship, Taylor Balser, stopped me to say hello. We chatted about Taylor’s first year at Mercyhurst, the same college that Angelina Simon will attend, and Taylor revealed another connection she has with Angelina. Angelina’s father, Tony Simon, is Taylor’s grandfather. Angelina is Taylor’s Aunt!

June 15, 2015

Dear Coniglio Family,

I am incredibly honored to have received the Angela Coniglio Memorial Award. As well as your very generous scholarship donation, I thank you for the opportunity to read about Angela, and all she accomplished. She was hard working, intelligent, athletic and influential. She inspired, and made an impact on so many people. As I read about Angela, I noticed a few similarities.

Like Angela, I love sports. To read all of her achievements really makes me envy her as an athlete. When reading that Angela was voted MVP, set records for points, won channel 7's "Super Athlete of the Week" and played year after year in the Empire State Games, I said to myself, "Wow, what an amazing and talented athlete." What she accomplished are goals that every female and male athlete wishes to accomplish in their sports career. I also played soccer just like Angela and I plan to continue my career of lacrosse into college. Her hard-work and athleticism will remind me, and motivate me to work hard every day while playing, and in school. Maybe, if l am lucky enough, I will also get to coach sports like Angela did.

Not only do I see that Angela and I were similar on the field, but also off the field. I am going to Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania to major in Early Childhood Education. I've been told it is a lot of work, especially while playing sports. However, to have someone to look up to, who demonstrated that it can be done, will make it possible.

Thank you again for this wonderful gift. I really enjoyed reading the book you made and the opportunity to get to know such a wonderful person. I feel honored to be recognized with this award. I hope to be half the person Angela was. It was very nice to meet you Mr. Coniglio and I hope to keep in contact with you.

Thank you again,

Sincerely,
.

Angelina Simon