Ford dealer gives $5,000 scholarship to every applicant

“If I can help people, it’s my responsibility to do that and especially for my high school,” Bazzy, who didn’t attend college after graduating in the 1970s, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for a story last week. “To me, it is a disappointment that I cannot do more. In this world today, the need is so great, and when it comes down to trying to set a path from A to B and in between the two points is financial hardship, it’s our job to make sure that we help as many people as we can.”

This year’s recipients include Jennifer Nguyen, who plans to attend Drexel University in Philadelphia to become a physician’s assistant, and Audrey Craycroft, who wants to major in psychology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

“Mr. Bazzy has provided some of our students with an opportunity that they may have not had otherwise,” Steel Valley Principal John Strom said. “His generosity to our students and families is unmatched.”

Bazzy, who was honored for his philanthropy by Ford Motor Co. at its 2023 Salute to Dealers awards, said he’s not worried the scholarship will attract too many applicants for him to support all of them.

“It’s not because we have so much money,” he said. “It’s because no matter what it would take, I’d find a way. I’d allocate different money somewhere, do something.”