Family offers two scholarships in memory of Thomas A. Georgalas

WARWICK — The family of the late Thomas A. Georgalas invites Warwick Valley High School Seniors to apply for two scholarships established in his memory.
Georgalas graduated from Warwick Valley High School in 2005 and went on to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
At the time of his passing he had advanced to a position of sous chef at Simon and the Whale, a Manhattan restaurant associated with the Freehand Hotel in midtown Manhattan.
While in high school Georgalas was employed by the Bobolink Farm in Vernon, N.J. There he learned wood-fired bread baking and cheese making.
It was at Bobolink that he developed a passion for cooking and a keen interest in the farm to table movement.
As a cook and then sous chef and for a time chef, his goal was to eventually open a restaurant that implemented the “farm to table” concept of local sourcing of food and directing commerce to benefit farms in the community.
His family has decided after much consideration that they would offer The Thomas Georgalas Farm to Table Scholarship award available to seniors who plan to pursue a culinary career with a focus on the “farm to table concept.”
The value of the scholarship is $1,000.
It is available to Warwick Valley High School seniors continuing onto culinary school or entering the restaurant or food trades from the program at Orange-Ulster BOCES.
When Georgalas passed away, his family received numerous letters and communications reflecting on the young man’s consistent kindness to everyone. These messages came from classmates at the Warwick schools that he attended and from co-workers in restaurant kitchens.
A consistent remembrance was that he treated everyone, especially classmates and work mates, with respect and kindness even in the stressful environment of a restaurant kitchen.
With this mind the family has created The Thomas A. Georgalas Kindness Award. A $1,000 scholarship for higher education or training is available to seniors who have demonstrated an overall attitude of kindness, empathy and respect toward their fellow students and their community.
Application forms and more detailed information about the scholarships are available at the Guidance office of the Warwick Valley High School.