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Oct. 31, 2016 - Julie Silinskie, a first-year student at King’s College, was recently named the recipient of an annual scholarship established at the College in honor of Colleen Shea, a 1995 graduate of King’s who died in a 2001 automobile accident.
Colleen Shea was a native of Pittston and graduated from Pittston Area High School prior to earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from King’s. The daughter of working class parents, she worked her way through King’s from money she earned at supermarket and babysitting jobs.
As a senior at King’s, Shea interned with Prociak & Associates, LLC, and secured a public accounting position with the firm following her graduation. She was killed in an Oct. 2001 automobile crash on her way home from work.
Established through a donation to King’s by the Colleen Shea Children’s Foundation, the scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate of Pittston Area High School to be used toward the student’s first-year King’s tuition.
The winner is selected based on his or her character, leadership, scholarship, sportsmanship, dedication, commitment, teamwork and perseverance.
Silinskie, the scholarship’s third recipient, graduated from Pittston Area in May and is currently a first-year medical studies major. She is the daughter of Joseph and Christine Silinskie.
A resident of Jenkins Township, Silinski was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. She was also a member of the Key Club and a four-year member of the softball team, including being named team captain and selected for the Coach’s Award.
Pictured, from left, is Barbara McDonald, board member of the Colleen Shea Children’s Foundation; Ann Marie Durako, member of the selection committee; Patti Prociak, president of the Colleen Shea Children’s Foundation; Nancy Shea, mother of Colleen; Julie Silinskie, scholarship recipient; Christine Silinskie; and Joseph Silinskie.