James M. Desiderio, Jr. died in 2010 at age fifty-two. He was a champion wrestler and graduate of E.L. Meyers High School and graduated from Miami Dade College. Known to most as “Desi”, he was a devoted son, brother, family member, teammate, coach and friend. He was a successful business owner and leader in the funeral services business; a civil servant through his years as a deputy coroner; a skilled craftsman in a family business; a devoted church volunteer and leader; and a good citizen of the community in which he lived through his involvement with charitable boards, committees, associations and events. Much of his life was dedicated to the sport of wrestling, as a tough competitor on the mat, as a coach who guided hundreds of young men to be their best, and as a PIAA referee.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a graduating senior and squad member of any Wyoming Valley Conference Wrestling high school program, (Berwick; Crestwood; Dallas; Hanover Area; Hazleton Area; Lake-Lehman; Greater Nanticoke; Pittston Area; Tunkhannock; Wilkes-Barre Area High School; Wyoming Area and Wyoming Valley West). This is a non-renewable one year scholarship.
- Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at any accredited college/university, career training center, or vocational training institution as a full-time student;
- Must have proven participation in community service;
- Must show demonstrated financial need.
