ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP: Inspiring Environmental Stewards

Our beloved Pat Fasano passed away in late February 2021. To honor him and the legacy that he created, OWA, in partnership with the Foundation for PA Watersheds, is offering a scholarship of $2500 for graduating seniors who attend a high school in the Octoraro Watershed boundaries. 

Pat Fasano grew up in a densely populated part of New Jersey but always yearned to live in big wide-open spaces. He moved to Pennsylvania after earning his undergraduate degree in Forestry from West Virginia University and has worked in the field of environmental conservation ever since. Pat has been the “backbone” of OWA and has worked in tandem with the association for over 30 years as a consultant, volunteer, and board member. Pat pioneered a new and very effective strategy for communicating with farmers, and especially the Amish community, regarding best management practices in farming in order to reduce soil erosion and reduce the amounts of sediment, nitrates, and phosphorus that run off the land into the waterways, the reservoir and the Chesapeake Bay. 

His passion for preserving environmental resources and educating people about the importance of nature conservation drove every aspect of his professional and personal life. OWA and FPW hope that the recipient of this award will use this gift to further the missions that Pat always strongly supported: environmental conservation; conscious use of current resources; and planning/implementing methods to repair the damage done to our local environment.

FASANO SCHOLARSHIP: 2022 AWARD

Matt Kehoe presented the award to Maya Hahn at the Awards Ceremony on June 1, 2022. Congratulations Maya! 🎉👏

Octorara Area High School Senior, Maya Hahn, Receives the First Annual Patrick Fasano Memorial Scholarship.
The Octoraro Watershed Association (OWA) is proud to announce that Maya Hahn, a soon to be graduate of the Octorara Area High School will be the first recipient of the Patrick Fasano Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship provides $2500 towards the recipient’s first semester of college and has been funded in conjunction with the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds (FPW). Maya plans to major in Environmental Science at Lehigh University.

OWA and FPW have chosen to create this scholarship to honor Pat for many reasons. Pat was the “backbone” of the Octoraro Watershed Association and had worked in tandem with the association for over 30 years as a consultant, volunteer, and board member. His passion for preserving environmental resources and educating people about the importance of environmental conservation drove every aspect of his professional and personal life. Pat pioneered a new and very effective strategy for communicating with farmers, and especially the Amish community, regarding best management practices in farming to reduce soil erosion and reduce the amounts of sediment, nitrates, phosphates, and other toxic chemicals that flow from the Octoraro Watershed into the Chesapeake Bay. Pat passed away in February of 2021 and is sorely missed. This scholarship is meant to recognize his dedication and passion for a cause that is ongoing.

Both OWA and FPW hope that Maya and future recipients of this award will use this gift to further the missions that Pat always strongly supported: environmental conservation, conscious use of current resources and planning/implementing methods to repair the damage done to our local environment.