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Scholarships

Finnish Center awards scholarships to deserving students

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FITCHBURG — At their annual Summer Festival held in June, the Finnish Center at Saima Park awarded scholarships for the upcoming school year to four deserving students. This year’s recipients are Niev Collins of Ashburnham, Annie Fleurimon of Fitchburg, Lydia Kriedler of Ashburnham, and Ani Seppelin of Westminster.

Money to fund the scholarships is raised annually by a flea market held in April, raffles and member donations. Scholarships were created for members and relatives of members of the Finnish Center at Saima Park and are encouraging applications.

“Each student expressed a goal of pursuing a career to help others,” said Linda Byrne, president of the Finnish Center at Saima Park. “We are very happy to help them be able to make their contributions to the world.”

The Finnish Center at Saima Park is located at 67 Scott Road. For more information about the organization, visit saima-park.org or “Friends of Saima Park” on Facebook.

 

North Central MA Chamber of Commerce funds $50K in scholarships

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FITCHBURG — The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce scholarship program awarded $52,000 recently to the region’s most outstanding high school seniors.

The awardees were acknowledged during the Annual Scholar’s Breakfast held on May 12 at Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg.

Proceeds from the breakfast program benefit the Chamber Foundation and help support chamber scholarships in future years. Maria Milagros, an award-winning speaker, award-nominated author, TEDx speaker, storyteller and empowerment life coach, led the ceremony and delivered the keynote address for the event.

For the Class of 2023, scholarships were awarded from either endowments or funds provided by local companies and individuals. The scholarship committee selected the recipients from among college-bound seniors who live in one of the 27 communities served by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce based on a student’s overall merit, including academics, sports, volunteer work and employment.

Scholarships of $2,000 were provided 26 seniors during the Scholar’s Breakfast. Since the establishment of its scholarship program, the Chamber Foundation of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce has awarded more than a million dollars in scholarships to more than 680 students.

Many of these awards are made possible through contributions from members of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, with scholarships endowed through the Chamber Foundation often named in honor of prominent members of the North Central Massachusetts business community whose philanthropy and commitment to the community have helped shape the region.

“The North Central region is exceptional in its generosity, investment and commitment to supporting its future leaders,” said Roy M. Nascimento, president & CEO, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “These scholarships are one way we can recognize local students as they continue their education through the support of organizations and individuals who help make these scholarships possible for our graduating seniors.”

Supporters for the scholar’s breakfast include premier sponsor Rollstone Bank & Trust; recipient ticket sponsor Great Wolf Lodge; supporting sponsors AIS, Inc. and Steel-Fab Inc.; program sponsor North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation; center piece sponsor Leominster Credit Union; gift sponsor Fitchburg State University; as well as the many chamber members who contributed towards the scholarships.

Lunenburg student awarded scholarship by Unitil

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Five high school seniors pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or math have been awarded $5,000 in scholarships each by electricity and natural gas provider Unitil.

Among those students awarded scholarships is Cassidy Walton of Lunenburg. After graduating from Lunenburg High School, Walton plans to study biology at San Diego State University. Eligible students for the scholarship are from Unitil’s service territories in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

“We look forward to awarding these scholarships every year, because it so exciting to see young people pursue a career in one of these areas, whether it’s in science, technology, engineering, or math,” said Unitil External Affairs Manager Alec O’Meara in a press release. “We wish them the very best at college and all their future endeavors.”

According to Unitil, $390,000 in financial support has been awarded to students “who demonstrate exceptional potential for careers in STEM” since the scholarship program started in 2011.

The 2023 students awarded scholarships are:

• Cassidy Walton of Lunenburg, a graduate of Lunenburg High School, who plans to study biology at San Diego State University.

• Matthew Ryan of Somersworth, New Hampshire, a graduate of Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, who plans to study bioengineering at the University of New Hampshire.

• Grace Bergeon of Kennebunk, Maine, a graduate of Kennebunk High School, who plans to study computer science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

• Theo Grandmaison of Somersworth, New Hampshire, a graduate of Somersworth High School, who plans to study mathematics at Gordon College.

• Grace Qiu of Concord, New Hampshire, a graduate of Concord High School, who plans to study data science at Wellesley College.

As part of the program, a sixth student who is the child of a Unitil employee was also awarded a scholarship. Hazel Cormier of Braintree, a graduate of Archbishop Williams High School, who plans to study nursing at Regis College.

More information about the Unitil Scholarship Fund can be found at unitil.com.

Fitchburg American Legion Post 10 awards scholarships to students

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FITCHBURG — Ten local students have been awarded $500 scholarships each through the American Legion Post 10 Scholarship Program.

Twenty-three local Class of 2023 students earned Citizenship honors and 18 were able to participate in AL/ALA Boys & Girls State last June. They will receive their scholarship at their Senior Awards Program at school.

The students awarded scholarships are:

Liam Buckley – Boys State 2022 – Saint Bernard’s High School – Suffolk University

Morgan Graves – Girls State 2022 – Fitchburg High School – Merrimack College

Kayla McCormick – Girls State Citizen – Groton Dunstable High School – Assumption University

Lily Kenney – Girls State 2022 – Saint Bernard’s High School – Regis College Nursing Major

Mateo Quintero – Boys State 2022 – DAR Good Citizen – Fitchburg High School – Harvard University

Nana Okyere – Girls State 2022 – Saint Bernard’s High School – Boston University

Darnell Woodson – Boys State 2022 – Saint Bernard’s High School – Gordon College

Frank Gallo IV – Boys State 2022 – Fitchburg High School – Dartmouth College.

Maggie Bourgeois – Girls State Citizen – Fitchburg High School – Fitchburg State University

Marcus Kelly – Boys State 2022 – Fitchburg High School – UMass Lowell, Honors College

Laurelwood Garden Club presents ‘Soil for a Healthy Planet’

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FITCHBURG — The Laurelwood Garden Club will hold its first meeting of the new year from 9:30 a.m. until noon Friday, Feb. 10, at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St.

A slide presentation titled “Soil for a Healthy Planet” will be presented by Ralph Baker, PhD., an environmental scientist.

“I will speak on the importance of the carbon cycle in the soil, and what we can do to make a difference in how plants and soil interact to help the environment,” said Dr. Baker. “Our gardens, and our landscaping can play a part in helping to address climate change and the loss of biodiversity, both of which are challenging the stability of natural systems we depend on both where we live and globally.

Baker believes that understanding soils and how they vary on the landscape right here can enable us to improve the health of our gardens.

“I believe they can also help strengthen our communities,” he said.

Baker earned his degree in soil physics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1989. During his career he was an international leader in carrying out hazardous waste cleanup projects.

He is a resident of Fitchburg and is currently involved in many local non-profit environmental organizations, serving on the City of Fitchburg Conservation Commission, the board vice president of the Nashua River Watershed Association, and has spent many years being extensively involved in the Fitchburg Tails Vision Plans.

“Soil and it’s amendments are the root of all successful growth and as beginners and on-going gardeners this program will help us improve our gardens to look their best and protect our environment,” said Julie Palioca, Laurelwood Garden Club’s public relations chairperson.

Refreshments for this meeting will be provided by Joyce Candella and Mary Ed Cain, with a floral arrangement by Palioca.

The Laurelwood Garden Club will hold their next meeting in March, featuring Dr. David Ammerman who will discuss some of the more commonly used medicinal herbs and the evidence behind the claims. This meeting will be held on Friday, March 10.

The annual Scholarship Tea will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

“Members and guests will be seated at a themed tablescape reflecting the l920s era that will fill the center of each table, along with unique items and tableware that reflect the theme,” said Palioca, “Each of the tea tables will be created and outfitted by members of the Laurelwood Garden Club. Guests will be served with a flurry of savories and sweets along with a flow of Irish Breakfast Tea.”

Advance ticket purchase of $25 is required.

Each year, the Laurelwood Garden Club offers a scholarship to a high school senior who will pursue an education in Agricultural, Horticultural, Landscaping Design or Architecture, Conservation, Forestry, Agronomy, City Planning, Land Management, Botany, Biology and Environmental Studies. Students should contact their high school’s guidance counselor or the club’s scholarship chairperson, Barbara Reynolds, at 978-582-1662

The Laurelwood Garden Club will once again partner with the Fitchburg Art Museum in the 25th Annual Art in Bloom event to be held Thursday, April 27 through Sunday, April 30, at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

“There is expected to be 40 pieces of artwork available to interpret from the permanent collections and upcoming exhibitions,” Palioca said. “We invite our members, local garden clubs, and aspirants to interpret for Art in Bloom, as well as floral shops to participate.”

Interested participants to interpret can visit the Fitchburg Art Museum Wednesdays through Sundays from noon until 3 p.m. beginning Feb. 22 through April 2, to select an artwork and complete the Interpreters Kit.

Interpreters have free admission and a complimentary ticket to the Friday night Champagne Reception.

For more information and assistance in the selection process, contact Rebecca Wright at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 978-345-4207 or Palioca at 978-537-7630.

Floral designer, Thelma Shoneman, will create floral arrangements and provide members and guests with design tips on interpreting artwork at the Friday, April 14 meeting.

The Laurelwood Garden Club was organized in l965 and is affiliated with National Garden Clubs Incorporated (New England Region) and the Garden Club Federation of Mass, Inc. within the Central North District.

Its monthly meeting place is at the Fitchburg Art Museum on the second Friday of the month from September through June. Meetings are open to those interested in garden related programs.

For more information on club membership, contact Julie Palioca, 978-537-7630 or visit laurelwoodgardenclub.org.

Four Twin Cities students awarded Greater Worcester Community Foundation scholarships

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Four students from the Twin Cities area are included in a list of over 400 students receiving 2022 scholarships from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

The scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who are going onto college. Fitchburg High School graduate Isa Jackymora received the Wallace D. and Dorothy M. Andrews Scholarship, Sizer School graduate Roman Roy was awarded the Leonard F. Leamy Scholarship, and Leominster High School graduates Lucas Gallo and Nora Swaine also received scholarships.

According to a press release it took 80 volunteers to comb through over 700 scholarship applications but by the end of the 2022 school year, 401 students received news they had been approved for a scholarship award. Worcester based GWCF gave out 439 awards in total this year through its scholarship program, a small piece of the $14.04 million total given to over 9,000 students since its inception in 1978.

Sizer School graduate Roman Roy was awarded the Leonard F. Leamy Scholarship from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. (COURTESY GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)
Sizer School graduate Roman Roy was awarded the Leonard F. Leamy Scholarship from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. (COURTESY GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION)

The press release stated that the GWCF scholarship program is about paying it forward. Most scholarship recipients never meet the donors who start the funds, but their college aspirations are being met by those who believe in the future of Worcester County.

For instance, the William J. Short Scholarship for Future Business and Civic Leaders named after a man who led the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce for 25 years helped Jacob Vázquez, the first college graduate in his family, to attend Assumption University. His experience brought him full circle, as Vázquez is now the foundation’s scholarship philanthropy officer.

“The scholarship program isn’t just about giving money towards a college diploma, it’s about investing in the future of our city,” Vázquez said. “The hope is that many of these students stay in Central Massachusetts and improve their families lives, their communities, their hometowns, and the entire region.”

Recipients throughout Worcester County were selected through a highly competitive process on the basis of merit, financial need, and special criteria established by the individual funds as stated in the press release. New awardees hail from all over Greater Worcester County with 68% of them attending college across Massachusetts.

Jackymora is attending Northeastern University in Boston majoring in bioengineering and biochemistry and enjoys music and has a passion for saxophone. Roy played basketball and participated in cross country in high school and is now at Boston College majoring in mathematics.

Talia Smith, a Charles Hugo Community Service Awardee who graduated from the Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science, stated in the press release that she understands the value of paying it forward.

“I can see how what one person does greatly affects those around them, and I will do everything that I can to make my contributions generous and positive,” said Smith, who is majoring in biophysics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Lucas Gallo, a lover of basketball, soccer and football is studying Sports Management at Temple University. Nora Swaine, an editor for her high school newspaper and class of 2022 president at Leominster High School is studying Public Relations at Suffolk University.

College-bound high school seniors can be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities through the foundation’s single online application, with the next application cycle opening January 2023. For more information email Jacob Vázquez at jvazquez@greaterworcester.org or visit greaterworcester.org.