PCS - My Favorite Teacher

Knight Brothers Foundation - STEM/Athletic Scholarship

in Honor of Steve Barbeau, Richard Heye & Douglas Hollinger


Most of us can name a teacher who made a difference—someone who guided us, kept us on track, or simply made school a little more engaging. Teachers do so much, often without thanks, shaping lives both in and out of the classroom.

In recognition of the lasting impact all of these educators have made, we honor them by awarding an annual scholarship to a deserving Pavilion Central senior.

Below we have a few of our favorite teachers from our days at PCS...Who were your favorites?

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” - William Arthur Ward

Mr. Heye was a math instructor at PCS from 1966 to 2000. While he taught all levels of math except for 7th grade, his favorite course was geometry. In addition to math he also taught some of the first computer classes at Pavilion. These courses introduced coding in BASIC on Apple II computers at a time when learning to program was still quite new. Mr. Heye earned his teaching degree from Buffalo State University. 


Mr. Hollinger had a 30 year career at PCS, starting in 1984 and ending with his retirement in 2014. He earned his teaching degree at the University of Rochester. While at PCS, Mr. Hollinger taught regents physics and chemistry and also anatomy and physiology, a college credit course offered through GCC. In addition to his work in the classroom Mr. Hollinger coached boys soccer and advised the ski club. Among the many memories Mr. Hollinger has of his years at PCS was building a cosmic ray telescope with his students and conducting experiments in space weather. He also remembers building solar electrical systems with his students on the roof of the high school and managing the construction of a wind turbine to teach renewable energy and climate change mitigation. Many of his fondest memories are of the summers spent with his students in South Asia where they built and taught the technology of solar powered electrical systems and water purification systems in refugee camps and migrant settlements. Mr. H. as his students called him, has said that he feels richly rewarded by having been able to spend his career with so many fine young people.

Mr. Barbeau joined PCS in January of 1981 as a Social Studies teacher. He taught at Pavilion until June of 1989 before moving on to become an administrator at another school. While at Pavilion, Mr. Barbeau taught both 7th and 9th grades as well as an elective for seniors that included Economics, Sociology and topics within the US News and World Reports. In addition to his work in the classroom, Mr. Barbeau also made an impact as a coach. While at Pavilion he coached both basketball and baseball at the JV and Varsity levels. One of Mr. Barbeau’s most proud moments while at PCS was being one of the first to receive the University of Rochester’s Excellence in Teaching at the Secondary Level award.

Scholarship Eligibility and Selection Criteria:


  • Scholarship preference will go to students who are involved in STEM or pursuing a college major in STEM and have participated in high school athletics, however ALL students are eligible to apply.
  • Applicants must submit a picture (yearbook or senior picture) with their application so that the scholarship winner’s picture and name can be published on the Knight Brother’s Foundation webpage.
  • Preference may be given to students who are the first in their family to attend college or secondary schooling.
  • Scholarship winner will agree to submit a “Where am I now” bio follow up 5 years after graduation to be highlighted on the Knight Brothers Foundation webpage.
  • Scholarship winner will receive up to $4,000 total, with $2,000 awarded directly to the winner in the first year and $2,000 in the second year with proof of grades and/or successful completion of 24 college credit hours or equivalent.
  • All applicants must complete the scholarship application questions.


Previous Winners

2026 - Colin Fisher