TO:                 News Editors

DATE:            June 27, 2025

CONTACT:    Missy Smith, Director of Marketing and Community Development

                       607.734.6151 x122 or email SmithML@arcofcs.org

 

RE:                   Student Awarded $1,000 Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Elmira, NY | Watkins Glen, NY – The Arc Chemung-Schuyler is pleased to announce that it has awarded its Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship to Sarah Strobel, Odessa-Montour High School graduate, at her June 27th commencement ceremony.

 

This $1,000 scholarship honors Joanne Hayes, former board member and president of The Arc Chemung-Schuyler’s board of directors who passed away in 1987. The award is given annually to a graduating senior pursuing an education in human services, special education, or a related field for a career providing supports to people with developmental disabilities.

 

Sarah Strobel, the daughter of Charles and Laurel Strobel, is enrolled at Nazareth University in their Communication Sciences and Disorders Program (Speech Therapy). In her application essay, Strobel writes about her desire to become a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with a special interest in helping children with disabilities. She highlights an interaction that she experienced, which inspired her to explore this field of work. She shared, “Getting to see such a special moment makes me want to make a difference in the lives of those with disabilities.” 

 

The Joanne S. Hayes Memorial Scholarship is made possible through community donations to The Arc Chemung-Schuyler.

 

ABOUT THE ARC OF CHEMUNG-SCHUYLER

The Arc Chemung-Schuyler is a family-based organization, providing supports and services to nearly 2,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families, across an 18-county service area. Learn more at www.arcofcs.org.

 

The Arc Chemung-Schuyler is a chapter of the state organization, The Arc New York, the largest provider of supports and services for people intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York state. The 35 local Chapters of The Arc New York collectively support more than 60,000 people with disabilities and their families in every county of the state, and employ more than 30,000 people in the shared mission to provide people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities the ordinary and extraordinary opportunities of life. Founded by families more than 75 years ago, The Arc New York continues to be an influential advocate for the rights, opportunities, and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.