08-09-26 PRESENTATION TO TUITION ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS
This year the Tuition Assistance Committee consisted of Terry Saunders and Nancy Gabrielli. I’ve been tracking the awards since 2015 and thru 2026, we’ve now assisted 44 students for a total of $21,500.
This year 6 recipients will each receive $500 and I’d like to tell you about each of them now. I’ll distribute the checks and take some pictures after at the end of the meeting. When I call out your name, please wave /stand while I read your bio.
QUINN CORDIAL – Quinn attended Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury where he graduated with a 3.32 GPA. He is here today with his sponsor / parents Melissa and Keith Cordial of Thomas Lane. In high school Quinn participated in the golf program, played lacrosse and was the statistician for the varsity hockey team for three years. He volunteered to do spring and fall cleanup for those needing help in his community. He served as a mentor at youth camp and was a mentor to Freshman students this past year as well. Quinn attended our annual meeting last year when his sister Meredith received assistance when she was heading off to Fairfield University. His relatives Joe and Mary Noonan have also been members of the OSDA for many years and are here today. Quinn will attend Fairfield University to pursue a degree in Business.
RYAN GASBARRO – Ryan attended Newburyport High School where he graduated with a 3.5 GPA. He is here today with his parents, Marianne and Chris Gasbarro and his sponsor and grandmother Anne Prior (<2012) of Clipper Lane. Ryan was a peer mentor in the CLIPS program which is Clippers in Leadership and Practice that helps mentor incoming freshmen. Ryan was a varsity soccer player for 4 years and was captain his junior and senior years. He participated in helping kids develop their love for soccer by being a TOTs soccer coach during his high school years. He also volunteered at various PTO events. Ryan worked for 2 years at the YMCA summer camp program where he made great connections with many younger children. Ryan will be attending Indiana University.
JAMES MORRISON – James graduated from Falmouth High School with a GPA of 3.48. He is here today with his parents Jessica and Clarke Morrison and his sponsor / grandmother Lea Shade who lives on Shore Street. James played lacrosse for 2 years and soccer for 2 years. He was a member of the National Art Honors Society and was a 1st place winner of the 2025 Stellwagen Bank Marine Art Competition. His community service work includes the National Honors Society and the Falmouth Road Race. He said “growing up on Shore Street, teaching classes at the local art center and volunteering for local road races have been wonderful opportunities”. James will be attending Bryant University in Smithfield RI and studying Marketing.
SEAN GASBARRO (Ryan’s twin brother is not able to be with us today) – Sean also attended Newburyport High School where he graduated with a 3.2 GPA. I’ve also mentioned his parents Marianne and Chris Gasbarro and his sponsor and grandmother Anne Prior of Clipper Lane. Sean played soccer for four years captaining the team his junior and senior year. He mentored the freshmen while also helping run school spirit activities and other events around the school. Sean was a volunteer coach for 3 to 5 year-olds in the TOTs soccer program and worked with the Newburyport PTO on various events. He will be attending Lleida University in Spain.
MAIA LEDWELL – Maia graduated from Falmouth High School with a 3.89 GPA taking many AP classes. She is not able to be with us today but her sponsor / grandmother Peggy Ledwell from Mill Road is with us and has been a member for many years (<2012). Maia played varsity tennis for 4 years and varsity volleyball for 3 years. She was a member of the Math, Science and Art Honor Societies. Maia was a cofounder of the Pickleball Club and a member of women in STEM, Spanish club, best buddies, model UN and student government. Maia’s community involvement includes assistant tennis coach and being a chemistry and math tutor. Community involvement includes volunteering with the Cape Cod Marathon and Toys for Tots. Maia will be attending UMass Amherst and studying Biomedical Engineering.
LUKE OKOSHI-MICHEL – Luke is not able to be here today. Luke graduated from Falmouth Academy with a 3.94 GPA. That’s all A’s with a few A-. His sponsor is his mother Anna Michel from Shore Street. Luke played many sports including being a varsity starter for 4 years on the soccer team, 4 years on the varsity tennis team and his senior year on the varsity basketball team. In the 11th grade he was part of a French Exchange program and in his senior year he was a member of ‘Engage’ which is Falmouth Academy community service program with weekly volunteering at elementary school, assisted living center and lunch for the homeless.
Local civic and community involvement include a 12-day oceanography voyage with the Sea Education Association in Woods Hole and other educational classes with MBL. Luke is an accomplished violin player and has been a private violin student since 2013 and a private piano student from 2016 to 2024. He has performed solo and in groups for many fundraisers and community events. Luke said “growing up on Shore Street and spending my summers at Surf Drive Beach and involving myself in environmental activities led him to chose to attend Tufts University majoring in Environmental Engineering and Math”.
Let’s give a round of applause to our six recipients and their OSD sponsors – their parents and grandparents.
Submitted by: Terry Saunders, Tuition Assistance Committee Chair