The Art Rooney Scholarship Fund, created in memory of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., continues its tradition of supporting local students. Since it began, the fund has provided grants to more than 90 students from the North Side area. Each year, the scholarship awards a grant to a student at North Catholic High School and funds Pittsburgh Promise scholarships for two graduates from Pittsburgh high schools who live on the North Side.
This year’s recipients are Stalea Chapman, Ronjae Fondren, and Teresa Kedzierski.
“It’s so wonderful to do this for the students who are from the area,” said Pat Rooney-Gerrero, granddaughter of Art Rooney Sr. “I grew up briefly on the North Side and have warm feelings about the North Side. We want to continue to help people succeed, and hopefully they come back after college and continue to help the neighborhood thrive.
“It’s just wonderful to see the success stories from the scholarship. I don’t have the right words for it because it’s so heartwarming to see what this does for them. Raising this money, and then being able to choose some people that are really gifted in some ways help them with their education, is special.”
Stalea Chapman graduated from Perry Traditional Academy on the North Side and will attend Carlow University with plans to major in health care management.
“That is my route right now,” said Chapman. “I want to do something in health care on the business side. I am still making final decisions.
“Getting this scholarship for it means so much. Coming from a small school, it’s a really good feeling that somebody notices you, especially when you go to a small school, especially in a predominantly black area. I can say we probably don’t get a lot of opportunities, but we do get some, and this was very important to me because this is such a big opportunity.
“And this coming from the Steelers, it’s really nice. It’s great they are giving back and noticing students who are going to college and doing more.”
Chapman’s father is Audie Chapman, Executive Director of the Northside Steelers youth football and cheer organization.
“He was so excited when he heard it,” said Chapman. “He kept saying, ‘Oh my goodness, oh, my goodness.’ I never really understood football much. They are really happy about it because football is the route. I am really appreciative of it. It’s really beneficial for me.”
Ronjae Fondren also attended Perry Traditional Academy and will study business at CCAC with hopes of starting her own hair business.
“I was surprised, honestly,” said Fondren of winning the scholarship. “Just being picked for it surprised me. I felt like when I got the news I was just in disbelief. It’s a good opportunity.
“It’s great the Steelers do this. It’s awesome they want to help the local students. It’s a good experience. It’s nice that they are giving back so other people can have the best opportunity they can possibly have, and they are helping others out.”
Teresa Kedzierski attended North Catholic High School and will enter Gannon University’s Accelerated Physician Assistant program.
“I was shocked when I learned I won it,” said Kedzierski. “When my school originally told me about it, I had no idea that the Steelers even offered a scholarship and I though this is a wonderful legacy. I was very surprised that it was directed to my school, which I think was nice. And I was not expecting to actually be the one to get the scholarship, but it was great. My mom was so happy.
“And it was so surprising and nice that a scholarship from the Steelers wouldn’t have a sports requirement.”
Kedzierski noted that as one of five siblings planning for college expenses has been challenging.
“I definitely want my siblings to have a fair shot at also getting or having like funds to use for college, especially as it’s getting more and more expensive,” said Kedzierski. “This meant a lot to me achieving that goal. I’ve been working all throughout high school, and that was my goal as I applied to so many scholarships.”
