06/15/2026
GMU JUNIOR RECEIVES ENTREPRENEUR'S AWARD!
Gilbertsville-Mount Upton and the Cleinman Charitable Trust are pleased to announce that junior Cyrus Hall of Gilbertsville has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Cleinman Entrepreneur's Award, established to recognize and encourage entrepreneurial thinking, initiative, and leadership among students who aspire to create businesses and opportunities for others.
Sponsored by 1974 Gilbertsville Central School graduate and entrepreneur Alan H. Cleinman, the award honors students who demonstrate the qualities of successful entrepreneurs, including initiative, perseverance, communication skills, and a willingness to work hard in pursuit of their goals.
Hall's entrepreneurial journey began at age 13, when his passion for music inspired him to purchase his first guitar. Rather than waiting for someone else to provide the means, he posted advertisements offering to perform work for members of his community. Through countless hours of manual labor, he earned enough money to purchase his first instrument and, in the process, learned lessons about hard work, responsibility, and serving others.
Today, Hall continues to earn money through farm work, moving assistance, stacking wood, and other jobs while building a reputation for dependability and initiative. He plans to study music engineering and business with the goal of one day opening his own recording studio and launching a record label.
As recipient of the award, Hall will receive a $1,000 grant, a personal entrepreneurial coaching session with Cleinman, and the Cleinman Business Library – a collection of books focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, and personal development.
"This award celebrates qualities that are not always measured by grades alone," GMU Superintendent Heather Wilcox said. "Cyrus represents the creativity, determination, and initiative we hope to inspire in all of our students. His willingness to work hard, pursue his passion, and serve others reflects the very best of our school community. We are grateful to Alan Cleinman and the Cleinman Charitable Trust for creating this unique opportunity for our students."
For Cleinman, the award represents an opportunity to give back to the school and community that helped shape his own entrepreneurial journey.
"I have long believed that entrepreneurs are made, not born," he said. "Entrepreneurship begins with seeing possibilities where others see obstacles and having the initiative to act. What impressed me most about Cyrus was not simply his love of music, but his willingness to work for what he wanted, to create value for others, and to build a reputation based on integrity and service. Those qualities will serve him well throughout his life, regardless of where his journey takes him."
Hall said he was honored to be selected as the inaugural recipient.
"Receiving this award means a great deal to me," he said. "I've learned that if you are willing to work hard and help others, opportunities will come. Music has always been my passion, and my dream is to build a business that allows me to share that passion with others. I'm grateful to Mr. Cleinman and everyone at GMU for believing in me and encouraging me to pursue those dreams."
