The Hancock Group Employees & Associates Foundation

We are thrilled to announce that the Hancock Group Employees and Associates Foundation has awarded our 2026 scholarship to Noah Kirsch during the Annual Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation Luncheon, which took place at the Blair County Convention Center. Noah was one of over 210 exceptional students honored with scholarships from various foundations within our community. 

Noah, a senior at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School, has demonstrated exceptional achievement both in and out of the classroom, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA while making a positive impact throughout our community.

His dedication to service is evident through his volunteer work with the Blair County Food Drive, Food Bank, Pumpkin Fest, nursing homes, Art Camp, and youth activities at Saint Michael’s Church. Noah has also shown remarkable entrepreneurial spirit by operating his own lawn care business and completing a marketing internship with Altoona Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center.

Through Penn State Altoona’s YEA business program, Noah founded ZEAL Nutrition, a protein bar business that earned $4,500 in startup funding from local business leaders and advanced to the national competition, where he presented his business live on air.

Noah plans to pursue a degree in business and finance, with the goal of earning his master’s degree. He has been accepted to both Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Saint Francis University.

We are proud to recognize Noah’s hard work, leadership, service, and entrepreneurial success. We wish him continued success as he begins this exciting new chapter!

Since its inception on November 11, 2003, the Hancock Group, Inc. proudly led the way as the first employee group to establish a Charitable Foundation with the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation. To date, our foundation has awarded a total of 41 scholarships to deserving high school students pursuing their college aspirations. We have distributed over $56,000 to support scholarships, fund valuable projects for non-profit organizations, and honor the memories of our clients and friends. This success is made possible through the generous contributions from our employees and associates via fundraising initiatives and payroll deductions. 

2025 - Amara Jackson, Tyrone Area High School

2024 - Kolin Hite, Altoona Area High School

2023 – Evan Alwine, Altoona Area High School
            Josephine Mills, Tyrone Area High School

2022 – McCailey Flaugh, Central High School
            Luke Knisley, Central High School

2021 – Kyle Lohr, Chestnut Ridge High School
            Emily Dunn, Central High School

2020 – Noah Hillegass, Chestnut Ridge High School
            Lexa Wyant, Central High School

2019  – Miranda Horn, Chestnut Ridge High School
             Micah Woomer, Tyrone Area High School

2018 – Aaron J Bracken, Great Commission School
            Logan Cooper, Chestnut Ridge High School

2017 – Ethan Wood, Altoona Area High School
            Hannah Johnstown, Central High School

2016 – Michaela Detwiler, Altoona Area High School
            Caroline Taylor, Bellwood Antis High School

2015 – Sydney Page, Altoona Area High School
            Haley Marie Walker, Altoona Area High School

2014 – Katie Bowser, Tyrone Area High School
            Laura Allison of Williamsburg High School

2013 – Michaila Kruis, Tyrone Area High School
            Kathleen VanKirk, Bellwood-Antis High School

2012 – Hunter Preston Carlheim, Altoona Area High School
            Alicia Kurtz, Tyrone Area High School 

2011 – Ryan Patrick Ickes of Hollidaysburg Area High School
            Tabatha Steele of Tyrone Area High School

2010 – Lindsay Gonsman of Hollidaysburg Area High School
            Ryan Colyer of Bishop Guilfoyle High School

2009 – Adam Bettwy, Hollidaysburg Area High School
            Justine Hrzic, Penn Cambria High School

2008 – Lori Kephart, Central High School
            Leanna Noon, Chestnut Ridge High School

2007 – Natasha F. Ray, Bellwood Antis High School
            Charles Weber, Great Commission School

2006 – Brooke Decker, Central High School
             Holly Scheffer, Altoona Area High School

2005 – Erin Neely, Bishop Guilfoyle High School

2004 – Jonathan Somerton, Bellwood Antis High School
            Lindsee Ruggles, Central High School

 
To learn more about our scholarship program, contact The Hancock Group at 814-944-8849.