2026 CARLOS STRAIGHT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND RECIPIENT
KELEENA BRESETT
The Jay Entertainment and Music Society is beyond happy to announce that for the first time in five years, it has been able to again award the $1000 Carlos H. Straight Memorial Scholarship. JEMS paused the scholarship following difficult financial times following the COVID epidemic. Although the not-for-profit continues to climb its way back financially, the JEMS Board has been eager to give back to the community in ways that foster the Arts.
Meet Keleena Bresett, scholarship recipient for 2025! Keleena is an Illustration student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Keleena applied for the 2025 JEMS-sponsored Carlos H. Straight Memorial Scholarship last spring as a senior attending AuSable Valley High School. She has now met the final scholarship qualification which calls for completing a successful first term of the academic/trades program of her choice.
Keleena rocked her first college term, completing drawing and design coursework within her major, with outstanding academic results. She is also very involved in multiple artistic and musical outlets. On the musical side, she plays trumpet in the RIT Wind Symphony, as well as a small jazz combo group. She shares that she enjoys being able to play with such a large number of talented individuals. In addition, Keleena participates in the RIT dance company, Vis Viva, where she is a member of the musical theatre company dance group. Keleena is very happy with being able to pursue such diverse artistic interests and is excited to experience more performing and visual arts groups.
We, the JEMS Board, wish Keleena continued success, opportunity, and adventure as she returns to RIT!
Chalk illustration by Keleena Bresett:
CARLOS STRAIGHT MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Carlos H. Straight was born in Jay, N.Y., September 26, 1922. He graduated from Au Sable Forks High School in 1939. Further education included Monson Academy, Monson, Ma., Green Mountain College, Poultney, Vt., Utica College of Syracuse University, with a B.A. from Syracuse. He completed his education for the ministry at Boston University School of Theology and was ordained by the Northern New York Conference of the Methodist Church in 1955. After serving churches in New York and South Dakota he transferred to the United Church of Christ and ministered to churches in Massachusetts and New York. In 1984 he and his wife, Anna, retired to Jay, where they had enjoyed a summer home for many years.
Carlos was active in the drama Dept. of Green Mountain College when he was a student there and in later years he was affiliated with Lyons Falls, N.Y. Players Guild, which presented plays in the Old Stone Church.
In retirement, Mr. Straight became active in community and North Country life. He was a founding member of JEMS and a part of the Bridge and Beyond group which was dedicated to saving the historic Jay Covered Bridge. With a grant given to the Town of Jay he supervised the development of the park area near the Covered Bridge and the Au Sable River. He also served on a Social Services Committee for Essex County and as interim minister in several area churches.
During World War II, Mr. Straight served with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps as a hospital corpsman, attached to the Marines in the Pacific Theater. During the war years he wrote poetry, which was later published as the book, “Bitter and Sweet”.
Carlos H. Straight died March 26, 1999, and is buried in the Jay Central Cemetery.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Carlos H. Straight Memorial Scholarship Criteria
This scholarship is designed to support a student pursuing an education in the trades or the arts, or who plans to make significant contributions to the arts in their community. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Eligibility
- Must be a graduating high school senior at Ausable Valley Central School.
Field of Interest
- Planning to pursue a degree, certification, or apprenticeship in a trade (e.g., carpentry, plumbing, welding, etc.) OR
- Planning to pursue a degree in the arts (e.g., visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, music, etc.) OR
- Demonstrates a commitment to community arts through volunteerism, leadership, or active participation.
Academic Standing
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- The scholarship check will be issued after the student provides proof of maintaining a GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) or above.
Application Requirements
- Completed scholarship application form.
- Personal statement (500 words or less) describing:
- Your passion for the trades or arts,
- Your goals for education or community involvement, and
- How this scholarship will support your aspirations.
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher, mentor, or community leader.
- Proof of enrollment or intent to enroll in a qualifying program (e.g., acceptance letter, registration confirmation).
- Preference may be given to students who can demonstrate financial need or a significant track record of community involvement.
___________________________
Past Recipients
2001 - Meredith Torrance and Amanda Senecal
2002 - Danielle White
2003 - Mallory Volk
2004 - Kallie Torrance
2005 - Karylnn Aprill
2006 - Amanda Shuknecht
2007 - Caitlin Roy
2008 - Jane Grems
2009 - Jesse Cross
2011 - Ryan Blaise
2012 - Brittany Friedrich
2013 - Emma Helfgott
2014 - Michael Raffery
2015 - Emile Kilburn
2016 - Latayla Duell
2017 - Eric Pothast
2019 - Megan Leclair
2020 - Whitney Terrell
2026 - Keleena Bresett
