The current school year marked the return of available funds to award more than $2,700 in the Father Yunker Student Assistance Fund.

Recipients of the college scholarships must be of Lithuanian ancestry, be an active member of the Catholic Church and currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.

This year's awards went to the following students:

• Catalina Abad, daughter of Michael Anthony Abad and Ana Constanza Sanchez and a student at Purdue University;
• Vanessa Abad, daughter of Michael Anthony Abad and Ana Constanza Sanchez. She attends Valparaiso University;
• Michael J. Barron, son of Michael and Dina Barron and a University of Notre Dame student;
• Adrian B. Cobiella, daughter of Mario and Kristen Cobiella, a University of North Florida student;
• Kayla E. Dierkes, daughter of Alec and Kathleen Dierkes and a student at the University of Illinois Springfield.
• Colleen Naumovich, daughter of Jim and Carolyn Naumovich, who attends St. Mary's College; and
• Colin T. Warren, son of James and Dianne Warren, a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

The Father Yunker Lithuanian Student Assistance Fund was established many years ago through the generosity of Father Stanley O. Yunker who, upon his death, designated a portion of his estate to start a trust to fund college scholarships for children of Lithuanian descent. Students can apply for this scholarship during each of the first four years of college and is based in-part on the student's financial need and other pertinent criteria.

This year's awards were recently announced by Father John Nolan, V.F., pastor, Church of the Little Flower and Jean Johnson, diocesan superintedent of Catholic Schools, who serve on the Foundation for the People which administers the Father Yunker Student Assistance Fund.