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Foundations Announces 2006 Partnership in Education Award Winners

Students from Bensalem H.S.; Bristol H.S.; Central Bucks H.S. East; Central Bucks H.S. West; Central Bucks H.S. South; Council Rock North; Council Rock South; Harry S. Truman H.S.; Morrisville Middle Senior H.S.; Neshaminy H.S; New Hope-Solebury H.S.; Palisades H.S.; Pennridge H.S.; Pennsbury H.S.; Quakertown Community S.H.S.; William Tennent H.S.

Doylestown, PA (May, 2006) – Ronald Bernstein, President and CEO of Foundations Behavioral Health has announced the winners of the annual 2006 Partnership in Education program. The Foundations Partnership in Education program recognizes the achievements of local Bucks County high school seniors for their demonstrated community service, commitment to academic performance, and quality of character. Students are nominated by their guidance counselor or a member of the school administration. 16 students were chosen to receive the award this year.
Bernstein presented checks for $750 to:

  • Diana Krasnopolsky at Bensalem High School – volunteers at the Langhorne Gardens Nursing Home and tutors 10th and 11th graders at the YWCA.
  • Kaitlyn Frake at Bristol High School – helps with the Bristol Borough Police Department’s Christmas activity for underprivileged children and is active on Student Council and the prom committee.
  • Melissa Guertler of Central Bucks East – In addition to being an outstanding student, Melissa has been involved in her church community and works 20 – 25 hours a week, in addition to attending school full-time.
  • Chester Colburn at Central Bucks West – is actively involved with the Future Business Leaders of American Club, Student Government Organization, School Improvement Committee, Principal’s Advisory Council and Superintendent’s Advisory Council.
  • Kelly Dougherty at Central Bucks South– devotes time volunteering at Doylestown Hospital and will be pursuing a degree in nursing.
  • Brittany Lanctot of Council Rock High School North – has logged over 500 hours of community service, volunteering for the Council Rock Competition Cheerleading Youth Organization, the SOAR and Best Buddies special needs programs.
  • Katy Frank of Council Rock High School South – Katy is a member of the national honor society and has volunteered at the Fox Chase Center as a patient care coordinator.
  • Holly Brizell of Harry S. Truman High School – is committed to community service through the school’s Key Club and National Honor Society.
  • Shawn Ratti of Morrisville Middle-Senior High School – has participated in fundraising for the American Heart Association and Operation Helping Hands. Through the National Honor Society, Shawn developed the “Buddy Bear Program”, donating 500 teddy bears to St. Mary Hospital’s Radiology Unit.
  • Melissa Stack of Neshaminy High School – is a leader in the classroom, with a GPA of 3.32 which places her in the top 30 percent of her graduating class.
  • Christina Mercandetti of New Hope-Solebury High School – volunteers at Doylestown Hospital and St. Martin’s RC Church.
  • Rachel Crouse of Palisades High School – has done missionary work in third-world countries and nationally through Habitat for Humanity.
  • John Blair Lloyd of Pennridge High School –has recovered from a near fatal car accident which left him in a coma. He is highly active in local lacrosse and soccer clubs where he volunteers as a coach and referee.
  • Nikhil Bhalerao of Pennsbury High School – has distinguished himself as the strongest student in AP Biology classes and sets high standards in the classroom.
  • Lauren Robinson of Quakertown Community Senior High School – has raised money for A Woman’s Place and given her time to organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, her local church, the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross.
  • Kathleen Card at William Tennent High School – works with the American Red Cross to organize blood drives and is the center of the school’s Key Club. Outside of school, Kathleen has been a Junior Firefighter since 2002.

Many of the recipients of the Foundations Partnership in Education program are also being recognized as a part of their school’s commencement activities or other ceremonies to honor outstanding students. They may use the monetary award for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, including payment of their college tuition and related expenses.

“We were delighted to see how these young people are developing meaningful and positive roles in our community,” says Bernstein. “They are to be congratulated for their efforts and encouraged in their future undertakings.”

In addition to the Partnership in Education program, Foundations will again sponsor its annual Partnership in the Community program, to assist the endeavors of non-profit agencies serving children and adolescents in Greater Central Bucks County. The application forms for the Partnership in the Community program are mailed out in the fall.

For more information on the Partnership in Education program or the Partnership in Youth Services program, please call Sheri Hartsoe at 215-345-0444, x132.

Foundations Behavioral Health is the only freestanding non-profit adolescent psychiatric hospital and residential treatment center in Bucks County. Since 1964, Foundations has served the mental health needs of area residents and their families. The Community Service Center is our latest addition to a comprehensive array of behavioral health services. Families can now access an Outpatient Clinic, Partial Hospital or Day Treatment, Wraparound Services, the LifeWorks Alternative School and educational and family support programs.

For more information on our treatment and community programs and services at Foundations Behavioral Health, please visit the web site at www.fbh.com or call 215-345-0444.