Erin Soldridge received a $500 scholarship Nov. 26, 2022, from the Coplay Scholarship Fund Committee.

Soldridge is a first-year student at Lehigh Carbon Community College. Although no firm plans or a declared major at this point, she expects to study communications as her academic career proceeds.

A Whitehall High School graduate, Soldridge was in the National Honor Society, and she achieved honor roll status throughout her high school experience.

With an artistic flair, Soldridge participated outside of school in competitive dance. As a talented artist, she also was an Art Club member at WHS and donated some of her artwork to raise funds to Project Hope for Healing.

Project Hope for Healing is a global initiative to help ease the suffering of humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was founded in 2020. Visit projecthopeforhealing.org for more information.

As a requirement of the scholarship application process, Soldridge completed a 1,000-word-maximum essay titled “What local government means to me.” Her essay was deemed well written and led to the award.

CSFC Chairman Bill Leiner Jr. presented the award at the Soldridge home.

The CSFC was founded in 2001 and has awarded thousands of dollars to Coplay students pursuing postsecondary education. The CSFC board of directors is comprised of four Coplay residents: Leiner, Will Leiner III, Christopher Rex and Kyle Himmelwright.

To invest in Coplay students’ futures, send contributions to CSFC, 41 N. Eighth St., Coplay, 18037.