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HRG Charitable Foundation Announces 2026 Scholarship Recipients

The HRG Charitable Foundation has announced its first round of scholarship recipients: Grayson Barner, Keeley Nunn, Ryan Sowers, Shawn Kaintz, Kiran Platt, and Michael Thomas. These impressive individuals are all high school seniors pursuing a degree in science, technology, engineering, or math in the fall at an accredited institution of higher learning. Each will receive $5,000 for their educational expenses and will be matched with a mentor to advise them through their academic journey.

Barner maintained a 4.25 GPA at Lewisburg Area High School while competing on both the soccer and track teams. He also performed more than 300 hours of community service. He will study mechanical engineering at Bucknell University.

Nunn challenged herself with a rigorous schedule of Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses through Camp Hill High School and Harrisburg Area Community College. She also performed more than 200 hours of community service as a hospital volunteer, youth wrestling coach, and Eagle Scout. She will study architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University.

Sowers ranks in the top 1 percent of his graduating class at Central Dauphin High School while holding numerous leadership positions, including vice president of the student council and co-captain of the swim team. He will study mechanical engineering at The Pennsylvania State University.

Kaintz was a member of Tri-M (a national honor society for student musicians) and served as both music captain and section leader for the South Western High School Marching Band. He was also member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. He will study civil engineering at The Pennsylvania State University.
Platt participated in the Technology Student Association and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society while he pursued his studies at Gettysburg High School. He also earned his Eagle Scout designation last fall. He will study mechanical engineering at Cornell University.

Thomas attended the Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science and completed an internship at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he conducted soon-to-be-published research on microplastic and nanoplastic detection. He also founded a community initiative that repurposes donated LEGO bricks into complete sets for children in need and held leadership roles in the Toastmasters Youth Gavel Club, MATES Robotics Club, and Ocean County 4-H Teen Council. He will study environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

The HRG Charitable Foundation was established as a wholly independent entity of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., a consulting firm that assists with the planning, design, and management of civil infrastructure. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) under the United States federal tax code. Its mission is to promote the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives. It provides scholarships to high school seniors pursuing STEM-based degrees at accredited higher education institutions and offers financial support to STEM-based initiatives within schools and local communities.

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Fred Allen Blocher 1943-2026

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Born January 4, 1945 in Washington, D.C., Frank was an avid Civil War enthusiast who loved to share his knowledge with others.

Who We Are

The Franklin County Free Press, established by Vicky Taylor in 2019, emerged as a beacon of local journalism for the residents of Franklin County. Under Vicky's leadership, it quickly became an essential source of news, particularly at a time when major newspaper publications were increasingly overlooking local coverage.

On January 1, 2022, the torch was passed to Nathan Neil and his firm, Neil Publishing, LLC. Neil, a local entrepreneur with multiple thriving businesses in Chambersburg, shares Vicky's fervent commitment to both the community and the world of local journalism.

Rooted in the heart of Franklin County and powered by its residents, the Franklin County Free Press continues to bridge the gap, ensuring that the local stories, events, and issues that matter most to the community remain in the spotlight.