The 100 Club of Buffalo is proud to recognize the recipients of our 2026 Scholarships of Excellence, continuing our commitment to supporting first responders and their families throughout Western New York.
The Scholarship of Excellence provides awards of up to $2,000 to high school seniors and full-time college students who are children or grandchildren of emergency responders, or who are active emergency responders themselves, and plan to continue their education at the college level.
Applicants are considered based on academic achievement, leadership potential, community involvement, extracurricular or employment activities, and their ability to serve as positive role models for other young adults.
Meet the 2026 Recipients:
Cole Anstett
Sponsored by Adam Anstett of the Amherst Police Department, Cole is attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he is studying accounting. Cole is also a first responder himself, currently serving as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with Main Transit Fire Department.
Jace Brinkerhoff
Sponsored by Daniel Brinkerhoff of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Jace is attending the University of Kentucky, where he is studying criminal justice. He plans to pursue a career in law enforcement as a sheriff’s deputy or police officer.
Robert Carosella
Sponsored by William Carosella of Main Transit Fire Department, Robert is attending Daemen University, where he is studying natural science and health science. Robert and his father also serve as volunteer firefighters and EMTs with Main Transit Fire Department, and Robert plans to continue his education in the medical field with the goal of becoming a physician assistant.
Noah Cosgrove
Sponsored by Brian Cosgrove of the West Seneca Police Department, Noah is attending Xavier University, where he is studying political science. He plans to continue his education by attending law school.
Alannah Ford
Sponsored by John Ford of the NFTA Police, Alannah is attending St. Bonaventure University, where she is studying psychology with plans to pursue a career in school counseling.
Connor Harshany
Sponsored by Alan Harshany of the New York State Police, Connor is attending the University of Rochester, where he is studying biochemistry and plans to continue on to medical school.
Peyton Langworthy
Sponsored by Lucas Langworthy of U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Peyton is attending Dartmouth College, where she is studying sociology and intends to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Camden Lombardo
Sponsored by Phillip Lombardo of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, Camden is attending Jamestown Community College, where he is studying criminal justice. He intends to pursue a career in law enforcement as a sheriff’s deputy or police officer.
Nola Marrero
Sponsored by Luis Marrero of the Buffalo Fire Department, Nola is attending Roberts Wesleyan University, where she is studying childhood special education. She plans to attend law school with an interest in special education law.
Jenna Paradowski
Sponsored by John Paradowski of the Buffalo Police Department, Jenna is attending the University at Buffalo, where she is studying computer engineering and plans to pursue a career in the field.
Melanie Persons
Sponsored by James Persons of the Amherst Police Department, Melanie is attending Norwich University, where she is studying nursing. She plans to pursue a career as a field nurse attached to an Army Ranger unit.
Clara Stucker
Clara is attending Mercyhurst University, where she is a 4.0 student pursuing her master’s degree in Intelligence Studies and International Political Science with a minor in Russian Language. She is also a volunteer firefighter and EMT with West Falls Fire Company and intends to pursue a career as a federal law enforcement officer.
Lillian Szymkowiak
Sponsored by John Szymkowiak of the New York State Police, Lillian is attending SUNY Geneseo, where she is studying biology with plans to become a veterinarian.
Liliana Tortorella
Sponsored by Joseph Tortorella of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office.
Congratulations to each of our 2026 Scholarship of Excellence recipients. Their academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and dedication to their future reflect the values this scholarship was created to recognize.
We are proud to support these students as they continue their education and pursue the next chapter of their lives. We also recognize the first responders and families connected to each recipient whose service continues to make a difference throughout Western New York.
We wish all of this year’s recipients continued success and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next!
