Knoebels Announces 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Ten Knoebels Amusement Resort team members are starting off the 2023-24 school year with an extra $750 in their pockets from the park’s scholarship program. The scholarship is in recognition of their scholastic achievements and aspirations, as well as their contributions as team members. Knoebels has awarded approximately $138,000 to 266 team members since the start of the program in 1997.

Knoebels is happy to announce the 2023 Knoebels Scholarship recipients. This year’s recipients include 10 team members who are on the path to becoming educators, welders, medical professionals and more.

This year’s recipients include:

Skye Balonis (Alamo), daughter of Stephanie and Steve Balonis, Shamokin, 2022 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Temple University, majoring in Actuarial Science.

Heather Cecco (Playland Arcade), daughter of Karen and Steven Cecco, Elysburg, 2023 graduate of Southern Columbia High School, attending SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, majoring in Environmental Engineering.

Jacob Davis (Playland Arcade), son of Debbie and Jeff Davis, Elysburg, 2023 graduate of Southern Columbia High School, attending Bloomsburg University, majoring in Medical Imaging.

Cassandra Drumheiser (Old Mill), daughter of Tammy and Michael Drumheiser, Shamokin, 2023 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Elizabethtown College, majoring in Psychology.

Adam Guzik (Catering), son of Brenda and Edward Guzik, Shamokin, 2021 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Bloomsburg University, majoring in Information Technology and Analytics.

Mackenzie Palacz (JBK), daughter of Kathy and John Palacz, Elysburg, 2022 graduate of Southern Columbia High School, attending Bloomsburg University, majoring in Early Childhood Education and Special Education.

Megan Roman (Crystal Pool), daughter of Diane and Robert Roman, Coal Township, 2021 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Misericordia University, majoring in Speech Language Pathology.

Stephanie Rudy (Rides), daughter of Joe Rudy, Shamokin, 2023 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Bloomsburg Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Medical Imaging.

Francis Sanzotto (Recycling), son of Jean and Francis L Sanzotto, Paxinos, 2022 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Triangle Tech, majoring in Welding and Fabrication.

Eric Zalar (Games), son of Linda and Frank Zalar, Shamokin, 2023 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, attending Lock Haven University, majoring in Health and Physical Education.

Scholarships were awarded based on the students’ written applications, a work performance evaluation, and two external judges.

Six Knoebels team members have also been nominated for a 2023 Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Association (PAPA) scholarship. Those students include: Anthony Feudale (Games), Selena Lin (Gift Shops), Isibelle Sienkiewicz (Gift Shops), Samantha Stancavage (Costume Characters), Sabrina White (International Food Court) and Lilian Yuschock (Crystal Pool).

Photo Caption: Pictured (left to right), are 2023 Knoebels Scholarship recipients and members of the third generation of the Knoebel family: Dick Knoebel, Cassandra Drumheiser, Eric Zalar, Stephanie Rudy, Francis Sanzotto, Skye Balonis, Adam Guzik, Heather Cecco, Jacob Davis, Mackenzie Palacz, Megan Roman, Leanna Muscato and Buddy Knoebel.