GREENVILLE – The Light Foundation has announced four recipients for its Darke County Scholarships.
On hand to present the scholarships was Greenville High School alum, three-time New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion and Light Foundation co-founder, Matt Light, along with his wife and co-founder, Susie Light.
Some of the scholarship areas that were considered were academic achievement, community service, job responsibility, and the content of their answers on the application.
This year’s recipients are Jenna Hughes, Greenville High School; Jorie McDermott, Arcanum High School; Kaylee Braun, Versailles High School; and Harrison Plessinger, Greenville High School. Each student received $1,000 to further their education.
Matt Light notes the importance of investing in the local community and its young residents. “These students show tremendous potential. We anticipate a very bright future for them and as an organization with a mission to enhance leadership skills in young people, it is our duty to support them and help them get to the next level.”
The non-profit has made contributions equaling $60,000 over the years to help young people in Darke County reach the next step in their education journey. Applications for the annual scholarship open in January on the Light Foundation’s website, mattlight72.com.
About the Light Foundation:
The Light Foundation (mattlight72.com) was established in 2001 by three-time Super Bowl Champion and three-time Pro-Bowler Matt Light, and his wife, Susie. The Light Foundation strives to instill and augment the values of responsibility, accountability, and hard work by providing youth with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist them in reaching their highest potential. Its goal is to lead young people down a path to becoming responsible members of their communities who can pass on the torch of leadership and achievement to their friends and families. Light was drafted in 2001 out of Purdue University and was the anchor for the Patriots offensive line for more than a decade, before retiring in 2012. He received the third New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, and in 2008, was presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work in the community by the Bush administration. In 2012, Light was named Pop Warner’s Humanitarian of the Year, in 2014, was honored with All Sports United’s Humanitarian Award, and in 2015 received the Man of the Year award from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s New England chapter. In 2018, Light was named to the Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list, and in 2019, was also named to the publication’s “Power 50” lineup. Matt Light was also inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in 2018. Since its inception in 2001, the Light Foundation has raised more than $7 million for various programs and initiatives.