New Oxford Students Make History with Landmark York College Scholarship Expansion
NEW OXFORD, PA — Three high school students have become the first in the history of the Conewago Valley School District to be accepted into the York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP), marking a historic expansion of the initiative outside of York City. It’s the first expansion since beginning in 1989.
Current juniors Aimee Lefever, Angel Solano Vega, and Alexandria Warren were officially named as the inaugural YCCOSP cohort from New Oxford High School. The program provides a transformative full scholarship to York College of Pennsylvania after high school graduation, which includes not only tuition but also room and board assistance.
As YCCOSP scholars, Lefever, Solano Vega, and Warren will participate in a five-week JumpStart program in June, including an overnight stay, on-campus activities, community service, career exploration, and programming during their senior year to prepare for the transition to college life. Once on campus, they will continue to engage in leadership development and civic responsibility programs that link them directly to potential employers in York.
The expansion was set in motion last summer following a phone call between York College Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Brian Hazlett, and Conewago Valley School District Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Wesley Doll. Dr. Doll was immediately on board with the vision, leading to an official expansion agreement signed in August 2025.
“This expansion represents our commitment to talent throughout the region,” said Dr. Hazlett. “By partnering with Conewago Valley, we are ensuring that financial circumstances do not dictate a student's future. We saw incredible potential in New Oxford, and we are thrilled to welcome these scholars into the Spartan family.”
The scholars went through a rigorous selection process, involving interviews and meetings with current YCCOSP scholars. While the partnership was originally intended for two students, the current YCCOSP scholars were so moved by the candidates that they advocated for a third. Dave Meckley, the Warehime Foundation, and York College President Dr. Thomas Burns quickly agreed to provide the necessary funding to accommodate all three rising seniors.
“For decades, YCCOSP has been a beacon of hope in York City and William Penn High School students,” noted longtime YCCOSP Director Ritamarie Trippett. “Bringing this model to New Oxford High School allows us to mentor even more deserving students, providing them with the clear, supported pathway to success they have earned through their hard work and dedication.”
Dr. Burns emphasized the broader impact of the program on the community.
“At York College, we believe in the power of community and the transformative nature of education,” Dr. Burns said. “This partnership, bolstered by the generosity of the Warehime Foundation, opens doors that may have previously seemed closed, empowering these students to become the next generation of leaders in our community.”
Dr. Doll echoed these sentiments, describing the partnership as a "life-changing opportunity" for New Oxford students. "By removing the financial barriers to higher education, we are ensuring that our students can focus on their academic and personal growth, knowing that a premier college education is within their reach," he stated.
For the students of New Oxford, this partnership transforms the dream of a premier education into reality by removing the financial hurdles that sometimes stand in the way of high-achieving scholars. As Lefever, Solano Vega, and Warren prepare to take their place at York College, they represent the beginning of a new legacy for the Conewago Valley School District.
