Staff photo / Brandon Cantwell Emma Bundy of McDonald High School shakes hands with Cover Down Fund treasurer Brian Annandono at Salvatore’s banquet hall Tuesday night. The nonprofit awarded 11 scholarships to area students.

HOWLAND — Herm Breuer said the evening was more than just about scholarships, noting the importance of history as a local veterans organization took on the legacy of one that hosted its final gathering in December — bequeathing scholarships.

“It is about the legacy of service represented by the Purple Heart; it is about the legacy of sacrifice represented by veterans and their families,” said Breuer, founder of the Cover Down Fund. “It is about the legacy each of these students will now carry forward into the next chapter of their lives.”

Members of the Cover Down Fund, students and their families were at Salvatore’s Tuesday night to honor 11 scholarship recipients who all received $1,500 cash, as recipients of the Purple Heart Gary Gutelius Memorial Scholarship.

The recipients, all seniors, were:

• River Bryan of Niles McKinley High School who plans to attend Youngstown State University to study nursing.

• Emma Bundy of McDonald High School, who plans to attend Walsh University and major in education.

• Alexis Cornelius of Mathews High School, who plans to attend Kent State University and major in health.

• Olivia Hetson of Cardinal Mooney High School, who plans to attend the University of Kentucky or Miami University and major in pre-medicine.

• Ava Kuntz of McDonald High School, who plans to attend the University of Akron to study political science.

• Margaux Malloy of Poland High School, who plans to attend Ohio University and major in business.

• Dante Marsco of Howland High School, who plans to attend The Ohio State University and major in engineering.

• Addison Odille of Warren JFK High School, who plans to attend La Roche University and study X-ray technology.

• Sierra Ryan of Niles McKinley, who plans to attend Florida Atlantic University with a major in nursing.

• Ava Timko of Canfield High School, who plans to attend The Ohio State University to study pre-medicine.

• Daina Wagner of Warren G Harding High School, who plans to attend Kent State University with a major in allied health.

The students also received a $250 check to help with college expenses, after nonprofit officials considered the rising costs of everything, according to Breuer.

The scholarship was established in 2022 by Breuer, the former Trumbull County Veteran Services Commission Director, during his tenure as commander of Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 606, honoring the legacy of Purple Heart recipient Gary Gutelius while investing in the future of local students.

The scholarship is now administered by the Cover Down Fund board, which operates the $70,000 in its community foundation earmarked for the scholarship.

Breuer said Gutelius was beyond a name on a certificate, however, noting he was remembered for the way he lived his life after military service, showing humility, strength and commitment to others.

Breuer said some of the evening’s recipients were connected to people some of them served beside over the years, pointing out Dante Marsco, who wasn’t present, and River Bryan as children of two of his former colleagues.

“Over the years, this scholarship has also benefitted the children and grandchildren of fellow veterans who stood alongside Gary in the Military Order of the Purple Heart. That is what makes this more than a scholarship program,” Breuer said. “It is a continuation of a community that has stayed connected through service, sacrifice and support for the next generation — it’s an investment in young people who will go on to make a difference in their own communities.”

“Looking around this room tonight, I can confidently say that investment is paying off,” he added.

Breuer recognized several people deeply connected to him, one of whom was Pam Swanson, Gutelius’s sister.

“It’s really great to see that there’s so many — this is the largest group of recipients this year, with I think 11,” Swanson said. “He just wanted to see that people had a chance to go further in their educational endeavors and do the best that they could, so I’m sure that this is something that he’s really proud of.”

Daina Wagner of Warren G. Harding High School, who plans to attend Kent State University with a major in allied health, said receiving the scholarship felt great.

“It’s really an honor and I’m thankful for the opportunity it’s given me,” Wagner said.

Mark Wagner, Dana’s father, echoed her feelings, recalling his family’s military history.

“My father was in the Navy during Korea and my father-in-law was in Korea — I think the Marines,” Mark said. “So yeah, very proud.”

“It’s just a great organization, and I’m glad they’re here to do this for the kids — it’s very important to pass it along,” he added.