While her spirit carries on in our hearts, her memory lives on by helping deserving local kids through the Ariana Bedka Memorial Scholarship. Please call us at 845-702-8103, find us on Facebook (Ariana Memorial Fund), or visit http://www.nyaballet.com/ariana-bedka-memorial-scholarship.html for more information about our memorial fund and how to donate.

The Ariana Bedka Memorial Scholarship

A beautiful dancer…
A beautiful girl…
A beautiful spirit…

Dancing since she could walk, Ariana graced the Bardavon stage for years. Unfortunately, in July of 2014 she lost her life at the age of 23 in a tragic hiking accident at Kaaterskill Falls in the Catskills.

Thanks to the Mid-Hudson Performing Arts Group, Ariana’s memory will live on through a memorial scholarship in her name. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be awarded to deserving high school students in the local area that share her love and devotion to dance, gymnastics, nature, or working with children. Your donation can help keep her passion for dance alive and reward young dancers in the area.

If you would like to donate to this scholarship through our non-profit organization for, you can visit any Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union branch location and deposit cash or checks into the Mid-Hudson Performing Arts Group account labelled “Ariana Memorial Fund.” Checks can also be sent directly to Alara Bedka at 7 Fox Hill Road, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. (Checks can be made payable to Mid-Hudson Performing Arts Group, and please include Ariana Memorial Fund in the memo.)

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HOPEWELL JUNCTION – Ariana Bedka, 23, an area resident since 1993, died on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 from injuries sustained in an accident while hiking at Kaaterskill Falls.

Ariana was born in Norfolk, VA on August 26, 1990. She was a 2008 graduate of John Jay High School and attended the Swedish Institute in New York City. She was a member of the Wiccopee Community United Methodist Church in Hopewell Junction. Ariana enjoyed gymnastics, dance, and nature. Most of all, she loved spending time with her friends and enjoyed working with children.

Ariana is survived by her parents, Richard A. Bedka and Anne-Lise (Oberholzer) Bedka; her sister, Alara Bedka; her grandparents, Barbara and Richard Bedka and John Oberholzer; and many other loving family members and friends. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Elizabeth Oberholzer.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 1-3 and 6-8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The funeral service will be private.

For online condolences, memorial donations or driving directions, please visit Ariana’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.