2023 Scholarship Recipients

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At the Mascoma Valley Regional School District Scholarship Awards on June 4th, Bridget introduced our presenters Matt, Holly, Sadie, Kate, and Carol and kicked off awarding 15 scholarships totaling $23,500 on behalf of Friends of Mascoma Foundation and our generous donors and sponsors.

Friends of Mascoma Foundation has three main programs. We supply food through three food pantries through our Friends Feeding Friends program, we give mini-grants to teaching staff to enhance their curriculum or add special activities to their classes, and we award scholarships. We are pleased to announce we are awarding 15 scholarships this year. Before handing out these scholarships, we wanted to thank all of our donors and sponsors that made it possible to award all of the applicants scholarships this year.

As in past years, the majority of the funds for these scholarships were raised during NH Gives. We have hundreds of wonderful supporters who give money each year in support of pursuing any form of education after high school. We are participating in NH Gives again, which takes place this week on June 6th and 7th to help replenish our scholarship fund. Previous recipients can join us to help raise funds and earn additional scholarship money during NH Gives. Thank you to everyone who continues to donate to make these scholarships possible.

𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩 𝙂𝙞𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙞

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This recipient balances school, athletics and extracurricular activities with enthusiasm while exceeding expectations. He spends time volunteering and making the world a better place for those around them. Through his volunteer work and life experiences they see the value of family and giving back to their community. Garrett, we look forward to seeing all of your future achievements and how you will continue to inspire others to achieve their dreams. We are pleased to award Garrett Giovagnoli a Friends of Mascoma Scholarship.

𝙇𝙪𝙠𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙮

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This student has always wanted to own his own business and their eye on entrepreneurship. He dialed in on his future career by taking Introduction to Business, Accounting, Personal Finance, and Entrepreneurship. After being a member of the Future Business Leaders of America club, this year he was elected President. Not only that, Luke is graduating early – overcoming a challenging upbringing earlier in life. We look forward to seeing this student’s future interior design business take flight and are please to award a Friends of Mascoma Foundation scholarship to Luke Conkey.

𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙚𝙮 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙠

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This recipient works hard to achieve her goals. She may have once been a bit quiet and shy, but has pushed themselves outside of her comfort zone to see how rewarding it can be to talk about common goals and dreams with others. She volunteers within the community and sees the importance of kindness and helping others when possible. We look forward to seeing this recipient achieve her goals and open her own business. We are pleased to award this Friends of Mascoma Scholarship to Lindsey Cook.

𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙢 “𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢” 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This student has worked hard academically from preschool to the present and will continue to do so. He does an exceptional job juggling academics, quality family time, work, and extracurricular activities. In the face of an injury, this student used the injury, surgery, and recovery as an opportunity to demonstrate strength and determination. In a time when the world seemingly has more challenges than ever, we are pleased to see such a bright and promising young student take an active interest in geopolitics and international relations. We know that Liam Finger will do great things and we are pleased to present him a Friends of Mascoma scholarship.

𝙈𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙤𝙬

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This student has done a great job balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and part-time jobs. Over the past several years she has used life experiences, from covid to moves, as an opportunity to grow, gain confidence, and share opinions. While this student’s accomplishments in academic and school-sponsored activities are wonderful, arguably the biggest accomplishment of this student’s high school career is personal development. How many teens do you know who are motivated enough to walk four miles to get to their job on time? And change her intended career path at almost the last minute to pursue a newer interest? And honestly, how many people truly like statistics? We are proud to award Megan Dow a Friends of Mascoma Scholarship.

𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙪𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙚

ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕒 ℍ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕁𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕕 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕙𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕖 𝕊𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕤

This recipient has shown excellence in balancing his academic career and extra curriculars. He has taken opportunities to participate in community events and knows the importance of giving back. His future career will present many challenges but even more rewards. The field of nursing can be tough but as he noted, it can also give the opportunity to brighten someone else’s day. We are pleased to award Grant Suttie the Roberta Hines and Jerry Liebrand Healthcare Scholarship in Memory of Sadie Seamans.

𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙚𝙡 𝘽𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙨

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

We think it is notable that this student worked hard to move beyond the need for an IEP to take Honors, college prep and AP courses. Michael taught himself Japanese while also taking 3 years of French and enjoys creating and improving machines. We wish this applicant well in his study of mechanical engineering and hope he will send us a postcard from Japan when he achieves his dreams! We are proud to award Michael Barnes a Friends of Mascoma Scholarship.

𝙇𝙖𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This student is a good neighbor and a hard worker. She cares for her neighbor’s livestock while she is deployed for short and long periods of time and does not hesitate to help others. She works part-time at a local general store and has overcome obstacles associated with hearing impairment to be productive and serve others without hesitation. We are always excited to see trades applicants and look forward to seeing her digital and video creations in the future. We are proud to award Lauren Gilliland a Friends of Mascoma Scholarship.

𝙍𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙂𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

If you have tried to hire a trades worker or have read the news the past several years, you probably noticed the shortage of trades workers and that not enough people are entering the trades. Each year we wish that more students would apply for scholarships for programs in the trades. Because the MTD Building Contractors business operated by board members Matt and Holly is trades-based, they take the opportunity to encourage high schoolers, like this student, to apply for the Friends of Mascoma scholarships. Our society also often laments the times of past when people were more committed to helping neighbors, particularly the elderly. Ryan does just that; he helps his elderly neighbor with tasks ranging from firewood to haying fields. Not only enjoying the work, but also valuing his time with an older generation. We are pleased to award Ryan Gilliland a Friends of Mascoma scholarship.

𝙋𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣

𝔽𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕄𝕒𝕤𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕒 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

It is not often that we have multiple reports from scholarship reviewers that they cried “actual tears” while reviewing a scholarship. This student’s family has been impacted by both the severe lack of affordable housing in the Upper Valley, which lead to her attending Lebanon and eventually Mascoma schools, and the high cost her family experienced accessing critically needed medical care. Piper wrote “If I can help just one person or put a smile on their face, it makes my day. That is what drives me.” In addition to being a student, Piper works two part-time jobs and chips in financially and physically to help both of her family households. We have no doubt that this first-generation college student will leverage her positive outlook and empathy gained from challenging experiences to brighten the world. Our team is pleased to award Piper Morgan both the Weiss Family Scholarship and a Friends of Mascoma Scholarship.

𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙕𝙖𝙣𝙞

ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕒 ℍ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕁𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕖 ℍ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤

Like many of our applicants, this student has wonderfully balanced academics, extracurricular activities, and work. Throughout the past few years this student has demonstrated an impressive ability to “do it all” and excel at it. Reading this application provided a brand-new perspective on Carmen’s life and between lofty higher education and career goals to the information provided on a very special person in this student’s life to feelings on the importance of kindness; we knew she fit the bill for a Friends of Mascoma scholarship. Carmen Zani, we are pleased to award you a Roberta Hines and Jerry Liebrand Science Scholarship in Memory of Verne Hines

𝙍𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙆𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨

𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕃𝕒𝕓𝕤 𝕊𝕋𝔼𝕄 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This recipient has balanced academics, extracurriculars and employment. He knows how to use data to look at challenges and develop plans to improve efficiency and wellbeing. We look forward to seeing how he follows his passions and the business he creates to help others. We are pleased to award Ryan Kochkiss with a Malformity Labs STEM Scholarship.

𝙀𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚

ℝ𝕠𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕒 ℍ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕁𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪 𝕃𝕚𝕖𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕊𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕚𝕟 𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕍𝕖𝕝𝕞𝕒 ℍ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤

This recipient has spent time working hard on her academic career while balancing personal challenges. She has worked hard to take the course work that will help her achieve her goals in a competitive field. Her knowledge and practice of patience and consistency will help her excel in all areas of her life. Her passion for STEM shines through and hopefully inspires other young women to follow their dreams. We are pleased to award Elena Trempe with a Roberta Hines and Jerry Liebrand Science Scholarship in Memory of Velma Hines.

𝙕𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙮 "𝙕𝙖𝙘𝙝" 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙨𝙤𝙣

𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕃𝕒𝕓𝕤 𝕊𝕋𝔼𝕄 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This student has balanced academics and sports for many years. Starting at a young age and being inspired by the older athletes, he pushed himself hard to reach his goals and for his team. He helps in clinics and coaches youth camps knowing that it builds memories and shows the importance of being a team playing on and off the field. He chose to challenge himself academically with higher level courses knowing it would be just as rewarding. He has also helped with activities that give back to his community. We are pleased to present Zach Thompson with a Malformity Labs STEM Scholarship.

𝙆𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙚𝙚 𝙁𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙭

ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕪𝕟 ℂ𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕋𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡

This student has an outstanding history of community service that is beyond extraordinary. She has exhibited many skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork by assuming or being elected to numerous school organizational roles. She has chosen to grow her third generational family childcare business by working towards an Early Childhood Education associate degree. I am honored to present the Carolyn Cusick Teaching Scholarship to Kaylee Felix.