John Brennan/MGM Yonkers Scholarship Awards

Sandra Kaufman, Chairman of the SOA of New York John R. Brennan/MGM Yonkers Scholarship Committee, has announced that Jessica Hallett is the winner of the 2020-2021 Scholarship Award in the amount of $5,000.

The second place award of $3,000 went to Ronald Huff and Dean Blumenfeld picked up the third place scholarship award of $2,000.  

Joe Faraldo, President of the SOA of NY commented that this year’s award winners are the recipients of a scholarship named after a longtime good friend, horse trainer and SOA field rep John R Brennan. We lost John to the Covid-19 virus and our hearts. 

Jessica Hallett is currently enrolled at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is pursuing a double major in behavioral neuroscience and biology with a minor in forensic sciences. Jessica enjoys working in the barn with her parents’ horses and is a member of the NSU Equestrian Team. Jessica’s father John owns several horses racing in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida.   

Ronald Huff is currently enrolled at Webber International University pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice Management.    Ronald’s father Jake trains horses in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida.     

Dean Blumenfeld is currently enrolled at Arizona State University pursuing a PhD in Anthropology.  Dean’s father Paul trains horses in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.   

The annual SOA/Yonkers Raceway scholarships are awarded to SOA members, or members of their immediate families, or to covered individuals (backstretch personnel) or a member of their immediate families, for study beyond the high school level. 

The recipient is chosen on the basis of merit and financial need.

The applicants were judged first by an independent third party to produce the top five candidates. 

Then the Committee selected the top three winners from the five finalists.  

Personal information from all the candidates was redacted when presented to the independent party and the Committee to assure a blind judging process.

Joe Faraldo