On Monday, July 12, 2021 Tuition Assistance Committee Members Carole Mendoza, Peter Cahill and Terry Saunders met to review the applications received.  The OSDA was pleased to present a check for $500 to each of the following 3 worthy applicants.  The OSDA wishes all the best to these three students as they continue their higher education.  Their parents and grandparents should be tremendously proud of their grades and achievements.

Ryan Smith

Ryan is the grandson of members Paul and Sandy Smith on Mill Road.  Ryan graduated from White River Valley High School in South Royalton, VT with a 97.89% grade average and he was ranked #1 of 43 in his class.  Ryan has taken many AP classes at White River Valley HS.  He was on varsity soccer (grades 9-11), varsity track and field (grades 10, 12), varsity baseball (grade 9) and varsity cross country (grade 12). He was also in the jazz band and played at several music festivals.

Ryan has rehearsed and performed with the South Royalton Town Band and the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra.  He worked and volunteered as a counselor at Bethany Birches Camp for the past 3 summers.  He has volunteered at the town’s food shelf and worked on several congressional campaigns in 2020 doing voter outreach and organizing.

Ryan will be attending Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT studying Biology / Pre-med.

Ryan Smith’s Pic:

Alec Washecka

Alec is the grandson of members John and Donna Beusch on Walker Street.  His parents, Ed and Cheryl Washecka recently purchased a home on Thomas Lane and joined the OSDA as well.  Alec graduated from Darien High School, Darien, CT with a GPA of 3.9.  Alec has played varsity football for 3 years and was captain 2020-2021.  Alec was also a Link Leader and peer counselor to incoming freshman at DHS.

Alec participated in St Thomas Youth Group with activities for the community through his church.  He was a Young Athlete Volunteer counselor at the YMCA for pre-elementary kids with special needs.  Alec has also worked at Camp Mather as a counselor for 4th graders.

Alec will be attending Williams College, Williamstown, MA studying Economics.

Alec Washecka’s Pic:

Family Pic:  Front row, Grandparents and members Donna & John Beusch.  Back row, Father Ed Washecka, Recipient Alex Washecka and OSDA President Jay Thayer presenting the award.

Ben Yaffe

Ben is the grandson of members Clay and Janet Mathews on Walker Street.  Ben graduated from Brockton High School, Brockton, MA with a GPA of 3.76.  At Brockton HS Ben was a starting player on the Freshman and Junior Varsity football team.  During his Junior and Senior Year he was a member of the International Baccalaureate Program.  He has digitally designed posters and flyers for his HS.

Ben has played guitar for the past 12 years and has played concerts at school and at the Dedham Arts Festival.  He has volunteered at the Braintree Animal Shelter and participated in an annual charity walk for autism awareness month in October.

Ben will be attending Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA studying Civil Engineering.

Ben Yaffe’s Pic:

Family Pic:  Nancy Campbell Ben’s Aunt (and also and OSD Member), Committee Member Peter Cahill presenting check to Janet Mathews, OSD Member and Ben’s Grandmother.