Dec 10, 2025
Salem City Schools Treasurer Michael Douglas, left, and Salem school board President Brittany Maniscalco, right, accept a check for $11,282.82 from Salem High School Alumni Association Executive Director Audrey Null representing SHSAA classroom grants awarded this fall. Null presented the check during Monday’s school board meeting in the high school library. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)
SALEM — Some teachers in the Salem school district received classroom grants this past fall from the Salem High School Alumni Association and on Monday, SHSAA Executive Director Audrey Null presented the school board with a $11,282.82 check representing those grants.
“We appreciate everything the alumni association does,” Salem City Schools Treasurer Michael Douglas said.
Null spoke briefly during the board meeting Monday, giving the check to Douglas and school board President Brittany Maniscalco, who also offered the board’s appreciation.
According to Null, the SHSAA Classroom Grants program supports the group’s mission to foster student development. Grants range from $100 to $500 and are awarded to eligible K-12 teachers in the Salem City Schools.
“These funds help expand, improve, and enrich educational experiences by enhancing classroom opportunities, environments, and the physical and mental growth of students,” Null wrote in a press release regarding the program. “This past fall, the Salem High School Alumni Association awarded $11,282.82 to 28 classrooms. Teachers used the grant funds to purchase items such as learning games and puzzles, STEM activity materials, art supplies, books to expand classroom libraries, robotics resources, and many other supplemental materials. These classroom extras were made possible through SHSAA grants to strengthen learning throughout Salem City Schools. Since 2024, SHSAA has awarded $22,821.61 in Classroom Grants, supporting 56 classrooms.”
Douglas said the grants give teachers opportunities to request funds for their homerooms they normally wouldn’t get.
Null also announced that a second SHSAA Named Grant was created this fall called the Kelly Janofa K-8 Gifted and Talented Education Grant established by Drs. Elizabeth and Austin Fredrickson.
“The grant will empower teachers with the resources needed to create challenging and engaging opportunities for Gifted and Talented Education learners. This new grant joins another SHSAA Named Grant that was established in 2024: the Dr. Peter Apicella Annual High School Biology Grant, which supports SHS Biology classes and encourages students to explore healthcare careers, including medicine, nursing, and other wellness-related fields,” Null wrote.
She explained that a donation of $10,000 or more provides a 5% annual distribution to fund a Named Classroom Grant, with the grants providing annual funding to support specific educational goals.
SHSAA encourages students from the SHS Class of 2026, as well as postsecondary alumni, to begin applying online for SHSAA scholarships at www.salemohioalumni.org starting the week of Dec. 15. Last spring, the SHSAA distributed $405,500 worth of scholarships to 40 graduates of the Class of 2025 and 52 former SHS grads in post-secondary education.
In the press release, she said two new scholarships have been created for 2025 and will be available to interested students. One is the Arthur and Gladys Wright Votaw Memorial First Responder Scholarship, established for individuals enrolling in an accredited specialized education or training program that leads to a certificate, license, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or advanced degree as a first responder. This scholarship is intended to support the education or initial certification of first responders, specifically those who are among the first to arrive and assist at the scene of an emergency.
This scholarship was endowed by Jeffrey Votaw, an alumnus from the Salem High School Class of 1974, in honor of his parents. Arthur Votaw, Class of 1947, was a respected firefighter with the Salem Fire Department for 32 years and a proud Army veteran who served in a MASH unit during the Korean War. Gladys Wright Votaw, Class of 1950, was a well-known beautician who worked at Bonfert’s Beauty Shoppe for many years.
High school applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and Salem High School graduates who wish to apply must be enrolling in an accredited specialized education or training program leading to a recognized credential in a first responder field. Eligible first responder pathways include fire service members, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services personnel (such as EMTs and paramedics), search and rescue members, technical or heavy rescue members, and public works employees (such as heavy equipment operators and tree department personnel).
The second new scholarship is the Cindy O’Brian Memorial Education Scholarship. This scholarship, dedicated to Cindy Kersmarki O’Brian, Class of 1972, was endowed by her loving husband, alumnus Doug O’Brian, Class of 1970. Cindy was an enthusiastic and devoted teacher in the Salem City School District. She earned a master’s degree in Gifted and Talented Education and taught gifted reading at Southeast Elementary School for 22 years. She is fondly remembered by many for her passion for education and her commitment to her students.
Applicants may be seniors or postsecondary students. Eligible students must have a minimum 3.00 GPA and be enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor’s or advanced degree in education. Applicants must also explain their desire to become a teacher and how they hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of future students.
For information, contact Null at 330-332-1427 or by email, audrey@salemohioalumni.org.
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WED/12-10 Columbiana Columbiana High School Class of 1961, 11:30 a.m., American Legion Post 290 AtTheCat.com …
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