SULLIVAN COUNTY – At a meeting held on June 26, the Sullivan County Bar Association awarded its ninth annual Ira J. Cohen scholarships to Katie Dauch and Brynn Poley, both recently graduated seniors from the Tri-Valley Central School District. The scholarships were established in 2016 to honor the memory of Ira J. Cohen who served as the Sullivan County Public Defender, an Assistant County Attorney, the County Attorney, and the County Treasurer.

The scholarships in the amount of $750 are awarded to graduating high school seniors who are residents of Sullivan County, and who plan to pursue careers in public service or in the legal field.

Ms. Dauch will be attending SUNY Morrisville in the Fall of 2025, where she has been accepted into the Natural Resources Conservation Program, and with the plan to enter the workforce upon graduation as an Environmental Conservation Officer. Ms. Dauch participated in a number of extracurricular activities, including seven years as a member of the Future Farmers of America and as a member of the National Honor Society, while devoting herself to community service and seasonal employment, and maintaining a 94.50 GPA.

Ms. Poley will be attending Kutztown University with a major in Social Work and a minor in paralegal studies. Ms. Poley indicated in her essay in support of her scholarship application that she wished to pursue a career in Social Work to be a positive force in the lives of children. Ms. Poley maintained a 93.80 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society and a class officer, participated in school sports throughout high school, and maintained seasonal employment.

The Sullivan County Bar Association wants to congratulate both of these young women and wish them the best in their pursuits of higher education.