At the annual meeting for the United Way of Mercer County today, Dallas Hartman and his wife Kristina announced The Dallas Hartman 2011 Dual Enrollment Education scholarship in order to make a positive difference for deserving Mercer County high school students. Dallas Hartman is known throughout the area as a personal injury lawyer who has dedicated his practice to helping injured people. He believes in giving back to the community by promoting education and volunteerism. The goal of this scholarship is to help high school students earn college credits and advanced classes through volunteer work.
When funding was cut this year for dual enrollment classes in the area, Dallas decided that this would be a great opportunity to partner with the United Way and help some students get the education they desired while promoting volunteerism throughout Mercer County. Dallas admits he was an average high school student, and credits one of his high school teachers for recognizing his potential and helping him decide on a successful career path. With the guidance of that caring teacher, Dallas went on to become an honors student graduate of Youngstown State University and the Dickinson School of Law.
The Dallas Hartman Dual Enrollment Education Scholarship is available for any Junior or Senior level high school student in the following school districts: Commodore Perry, Farrell, Greenville, Hermitage, Jamestown, Lakeview, Mercer, Wilmington, Reynolds, Sharon, Sharpsville, Grove City, Kennedy Catholic, Keystone Adolescent Center, and West Middlesex. Approved applicants can earn one award per semester, up to $500, towards a dual enrollment course at Butler County Community College, Grove City College, Thiel College, Penn State Shenango, or Westminster College. A referral is needed by a local high school guidance counselor of the district in which the applicant resides and attends class. All school district procedures for college registration as well as maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher are required. The student will work off the scholarship through pre-approved community service activities valued at $15.00 per hour.
Each successful applicant is required to do Community Service work as a prerequisite to receiving the scholarship award. Community Service activity is at the discretion of the applicant but must be approved by the oversight committee of United Way of Mercer County. Community service project hours must be completed prior to the start of the college class.
This program concluded in 2015 with over $100,000 in scholarships given to local students.