Three Warwick siblings earn Vantagepoint Memorial Scholarships

Warwick — Margaret Brockunier is one proud mom. And with good reason. Her three eldest children — Shane Franklin, 22, Tara Franklin, 20, and 19-year-old Conor Franklin - recently received Vantagepoint Public Employee Memorial Scholarship Awards. These scholarships are awarded to children and spouses of firefighters, police officers and other public service workers who have died in the line of duty. Donald L. Franklin, a 16-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department and father of Shane, Tara, and Conor, died in the line of duty in January 2001. The Franklin siblings, three of 41 recipients of the award this year, were awarded the scholarships last year as well. The scholarships range from $750 to $10,000 based on tuition and financial need. “We really appreciate it,” said Shane Franklin, who will finish up his degree in criminal justice at SUNY Plattsburgh this December. Shane’s plans include taking the Law School Admission Test in September, but he doesn’t rule out continuing his family’s firefighting tradition. “I took the test (for the Fire Academy) in January,” said Shane, who said he was inspired by his dad’s life as a firefighter, as well as the entire fire fighting community. “I’m proud of the whole fire department community. They have been incredibly supportive. I can’t even put it into words.” Shane said he remembers going to his dad’s firehouse and feeling like it was an extended family. “They were like brothers, best friends, all of them,” he said. Tara Franklin is spending her summer in New York City as part of a program called “Summer in the City,” a six-week internship program. She will finish her undergraduate program in elementary education at St. Bonaventure University next spring and plans to go on for her master’s degree in literacy. “I just love younger kids,” said the big sister of five, who plans to teach at the elementary level. Tara might also considering coaching someday. This 2004 graduate of Warwick Valley High School was a member of the varsity swim team in seventh grade, played varsity soccer from sophomore through senior year, and junior varsity basketball. She also played two years of soccer for St. Bonaventure’s. The importance of this scholarship, and others like it, is not lost on her. “The impact on me is great,” said Tara. “You feel a great connection with the other recipients. You realize you are not alone. Others are going through the same process. Something so great comes out of this.” Conor Franklin will join his sister at St. Bonaventure in September when he begins his second year of a six-year dual major program in business and pharmacy. Conor, a 2006 graduate of Warwick Valley High School, played varsity soccer at Warwick all four years there and was captain of the team his senior year, a year that team was ranked as high as fifth in the entire state. But Conor’s focus was always on his education. “I loved playing soccer, but I was always focused on school,” he said. Conor is participating in a dual admission program at St. Bonaventure and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he will receive degrees in both business and pharmacology. He has always wanted to enter the medical field. He has inspiration at home — his step-dad, Dr. James Brockunier, is an obstetrician/gynecologist. All three Franklin siblings attended Pine Island Elementary School, Warwick Middle School and graduated from Warwick Valley High School. There are a few more still on the way. Their sister Devin graduates from Warwick Valley High School in 2008, Kerry is in middle school, and little sisters Bryn and Megan attend Sanfordville. “I am really proud of them,” said Margaret Brockunier. “We are very blessed.”