Correspondent photo / Bill Koch Laura Lindvig-Housel, a former news anchor for WFMJ-TV21, and her daughter, Sabina Landy, 11, pose with Youngstown State University mascots Penny and Pete Penguin, as well as Youngstown CityScape Grass Roots Award winner Scott Schulick, far right, during the 16th annual Grass Roots Gala at Stambaugh Auditorium on Monday evening.

YOUNGSTOWN — Stambaugh Auditorium was the location of Monday’s Youngstown CityScape 16th annual Grass Roots Gala, celebrating the accomplishments of the past and committing themselves to the work still to be done.

For 29 years, CityScape has been “dedicated to revitalizing Youngstown’s downtown, gateways and corridors through beautification.”

Executive Director Sharon Letson said the significance of the organization is to promote “a sense of place. As a community we always have to leave a place better than we found it.”

Since 2010, CityScape has given out the “Sweet Grass Roots Award,” in honor of the first recipients, David and Pat Sweet. David Sweet was the president of Youngstown State University and understood the importance of a partnership with downtown.

Last year’s winner, Mahoning Valley Historical Society Director William Lawson, said he “is still tickled by it,” especially being part of an almost 30-year legacy.

This year’s winner was Scott Schulick, longtime board member and past president of Youngstown CityScape. In addition, he has been an instrumental part of the Rotary Club of Youngstown, Mahoning Valley Historical Society, YSU Board of Trustees, Ursuline High School Board of Directors, Penguin Club, YSU Foundation, Mercy Health, Leadership Mahoning Valley, Community Corrections Association, Rich Center for Autism, Ursuline Sisters Mission, Lake Erie College, Diocese of Youngstown Foundation, Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium and others. Schulick, a 1990 graduate of Ursuline, is a longtime financial adviser who works for Stifel as a senior vice president of investments.

Just as significant, Schulick takes pride in the fact that he was born in Youngstown, graduated from YSU and has always lived and worked within a one-mile radius of the city.

Guests were ushered into the ballroom by Pete and Penny Penguin, as well as Lauren Lindvig-Housel and her daughter, Sabina Landy. Lindvig-Housel said she has known Schulick since she was a morning anchor on WFMJ-TV 21 and Schulick would come in to do short segments on investing. She described him as “the most impactful person I’ve ever known.”

Next was a “tailgate party,” where guests were encouraged to mingle while sampling food from local restaurants. Entertainment was provided by Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson, who have performed together for more than 30 years and have been married for 25 years. Their business is Beyond Broadway Entertainment. Maluso noted that her mother, Claire Maluso, was at one time the downtown director and brought passion to her efforts.

The formal ceremony began as Lindvig-Housel introduced Letson, who offered a tribute to Schulick. She noted that Schulick is someone “who knows there is something bigger and answered the call to serve.” She added that his efforts have “grown beauty and strengthened the very streets he walks on.”

Schulick then spoke. He started by simply saying, “to live is to have projects. You just do what needs to be done.” He also said he was “lucky” to have grown up with his Catholic faith, great parents and great teachers, and that he is fortunate to work for a company that supports his charitable endeavors.

Schulick did not mince words about his disappointments, stating the city has seen successes but also more than its share of failures, including “endless construction” and the explosion of the Realty Tower. He said he had resigned his presidency out of that frustration and stepped away from CityScape for a year.

But he returned with more determination. He quoted poet Seamus Heaney: “Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for.”

He said he would like to see a master plan for downtown Youngstown that is executed with specific timelines. He would like everyone in the community to get involved, and to frequent all that Youngstown has to offer, such as museums, libraries and the symphony. He also implored parents to consider sending their children to YSU, saying, “Let’s keep our talent here in Youngstown.”

Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell presented Schulick a key to the city, stating he does not do this lightly.

“This is not a gift, but a trust you have earned. You stood up when it mattered, and you have access to where we’re going,” McDowell said.

Rev. Richard Murphy, president of Ursuline High School, closed the evening in prayer. He said he knew Schulick as a student when he was the assistant principal at Ursuline. “He was a vibrant, energetic, positive person even then. A great kid, a great student. And now he’s a great leader.”