Poland & Mahoning Valley - Seventeen graduating high school seniors were awarded the $10,000 Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Scholarship during an awards ceremony and luncheon on Wednesday.

Seniors from across Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties were awarded a total of $170,000 in scholarship funds at The Lake Club in Poland Wednesday afternoon.

San Francisco 49ers co-chair and educational advocate Denise DeBartolo-York said in a press release that the mission of the scholarship is to reward students who have worked hard both in and outside of the classroom.

"My father always believed that young people who have the drive and determination to achieve their goals and contribute to their community should have the opportunity to continue their education regardless of their financial situation," DeBartolo-York said.

Over 250 applications were received by the scholarship's foundation. The 17 recipients are pictured above and their names and schools are listed below.

The recipients are as follows:

- Hailey Barrickman (Mathews High School)

- Christopher Cardiero (Girard High School)

- Ava Clayton (Mathews High School)

- Madison Dado (South Range High School)

- Lillian Ditz (Ursuline High School)

- Samantha Gainor (Salem High School)

- Francesca Gratica (Ursuline High School)

- Zaiden Husk (Liberty High School)

- Madison Jones (Western Reserve High School)

- Alaina Johnston (Columbiana High School)

- MacKenzie Kelso (Boardman High School)

- Brooke Neilsen (South Range High School)

- John Perry (Howland High School)

- Symone Sferra (Campbell High School)

- Ronnie Swertfager (Girard High School)

- Riely Wilson (Canfield High School)

- Makenna Wheatly (Beaver Local High School)