The 2023 Tuition Assistance Committee consisted of Terry Saunders and Carole Mendoza. The following is the presentation Terry Saunders gave at the Annual Meeting and Summer Social held at the Flying Bridge on Sunday, 08/13/23. It is through the generosity of our members that we are able to provide 4 awards this year for $500 each.
Our 1st recipient is Grace Rakeman. Grace headed off to college yesterday so she is not able to be with us today. Grace’s grandparents, Donna & Mike Herlihy from Walker Street are here with us today. Grace graduated from Barrington High School in Barrington Rhode Island. She will be attending The University of North Carolina at Charlotte studying Pre-Business / Marketing.
Her school and sports activities included the JV Tennis Team in 2019 and participated in Fencing for several years. She also took part in The Latin Club, The Greek Club and the National Honor Society. Grace volunteered for 6 years in the library at her local elementary school. She also raised funds and helped teach at her church.
Grace Rakeman and her grandparents Donna & Mike Herlihy
Our 2nd recipient is Danny Smith. Danny is not able to be here with us today but he will be in Falmouth next week when we will have an opportunity to meet him. His Grandparents, Sandy & Paul Smith from Mill Road are here with us today. Danny graduated from Woodstock Union High School in Woodstock Vermont. He will be attending Middlebury College in Vermont and studying Computer Science.
Danny’s school and sports activities included Robotics Team, Cross Country, Social Action Club, Theater, Scholars Bowl, Student Government and Jazz Band. His local civic and community involvement included working as a volunteer on a local campaign, a local race, first robotics and as a counselor at a summer and winter camp.
Danny Smith and his grandparents Paul & Sandy Smith
Our 3rd recipient is Sean Smith. He is the twin brother of our previous recipient Danny Smith. Sean is not able to be with us today. His Grandparents are also Sandy & Paul Smith. Sean graduated from White River Valley High School in Royalton Vermont. He will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute studying Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
Sean was on the Robotics Team, he designed and ran lighting for 8 school and community theater productions and was a first chair percussionist all 4 years in high school. He was also Co-President of the National Honor Society and Treasurer of student government his junior and senior year. Sean volunteered at two farms and cared for horses and maintained farm equipment and also stocked shelves this past year at his local Food Shelf.
Sean Smith and his grandparents Paul & Sandy Smith
Our 4th recipient is Caleb Woodworth. Caleb’s parents, Steve and Kristin Woodworth have a home on Thomas Circle and he is here today with his Grandmother Pat. Caleb graduated from Westwood High School. He will be attending Clemson University in South Carolina and studying History & Education.
He was a 3-year starter as the goalie on the Varsity Lacrosse Team and he was on the Junior Varsity Golf Team. Caleb has done volunteer work at a local food shelter. He is studying to be a teacher and plans to teach at the middle or high school level.
Caleb Woodworth, his Grandmother Pat and OSDA President Jay Thayer