United Way of Hancock County’s Secor scholarship committee has announced the selection of Matthew Lichtinger, a senior at Findlay High School, as this year’s United Way Foundation Secor Scholar. The $2,000 renewable Secor Scholarship was established as a memorial to the Steven and Doris Secor bequest. It is awarded to a high school senior or high school graduate living in Findlay or Hancock County who plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning to pursue an undergraduate field of study, full time in the subsequent academic year. The candidate must exhibit a strong commitment to service, volunteering, extracurricular involvement and academic excellence.
Lichtinger, the son of Michele and Vince Lichtinger, was selected because of his volunteerism, academic accomplishments, involvement in extracurricular and school activities and his ability to exemplify leadership skills.
Jenny Coulter, a guidance counselor at Findlay High School, said, “Matthew is the definition of responsible. Throughout his time at Findlay High School, Matthew has balanced his time with intentional, rigorous coursework as well as a variety of extracurricular organizations and leadership roles. Within each of the challenging courses Matthew has selected, he has earned the highest possible grade. Additionally, Matthew balances his time as the National Honor Society President (leading approximately 75 seniors and 88 new inductees). He also is the secretary of Junior Statesmen of America (JSA), a captain of the varsity football team, Findlay First Edition choral member, president of the Red Cross Youth Council and leader within the St. Michael’s Youth group. In each of these organizations, Matthew actively shows the utmost integrity for himself and the organization as well as a strong sense of responsibility, accountability, and leadership.”
Lichtinger’s service oriented involvement additionally includes volunteering with Key Club, Backyard Mission Trip, Christian Clearinghouse, Wilson Vance Right to Read Week and Coats for Christmas.
In his Secor application, Lichtinger wrote of a mission trip to Belize, “We had come down to help them, to teach them…but they were trying to help us. They were a caliber of people I only hope to be someday…”
Lichtinger will be honored at United Way of Hancock County’s annual meeting on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. The annual meeting is open to the public and the cost to attend is $30 or $240 for a table of eight. It is being held at the Hilton Garden Inn. To attend the annual meeting, call the United Way office at 419-423-1432 or visit http://LiveUnitedHancockCounty.org/annualmeeting to register.
The United Way Foundation of Hancock County is a nonprofit entity established to ensure the permanence of the United Way Hancock County. The purpose of the foundation is to offer an opportunity for donors to continue their philanthropic efforts through bequests. For more information on making a financial gift to the United Way Foundation of Hancock County, or for Secor Scholarship information contact the United Way office at 419-423-1432.###