ATHOL – Continuing one’s education after high school graduation is financially daunting these days, but thanks to many generous organizations and individuals, 21 members of the Athol High School Class of 2019, and 21 alumni will receive at least some financial support. Scholarships, grants, and cash awards of well over $100,000 were presented the past Sunday at the Athol High School graduation ceremony. Recipients stood as their names were called, and received a round of applause.
Local organizations providing assistance included the Athol Masonic Charity & Education Society Scholarship – Molly Divoll; the New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 59 Athol Police – Julia Carey; Athol Police Association – Anthony Oro; Athol Firefighters’ Association – Colby Hume and William Roraback; and the Athol Lions’ Club Dr. Herbert L. Aaron Scholarship – Molly Divoll.
Other local awards include The Athol Teacher Association Scholarship – Molly Divoll, Colby Hume, Dennis St. Jean, Abigail Divoll, Alexandria Triozzi, Olivia Dufour, and Caley McLaughlin; and The Athol Boosters Scholarship – Julia Carey, Carter Chocran, Shelby Mailloux, Anthony Oro, Ryley Pond, Abigail Roberts, Dennis St. Jean, and Celeste Torraco.
In addition, 202 Street Hockey Association Kirk Van Os Scholarship – Colby Hume; North Quabbin Chapter 340 Vietnam Veterans of America – Rebecca Deleo; Athol-Orange Eagles – Auxiliary Scholarship – Jeremy Ayles, and Colby Hume; Athol-Royalston Athletic Scholarship – Rebecca Deleo, and Dennis St. Jean; and the Terrance W. O’Brien Memorial – Dennis St. Jean.
Also given by individuals and organizations, The Chet Hall Memorial Scholarship – Carter Cochran, Molly Divoll; The Royalston Community School PTG Scholarship – Abigail Roberts; and the South Royalston Reunion Association.
The Athol High School Scholarship Association, all by itself, granted $123,100 at Sunday’s graduation ceremonies. Awards went to 21 members of the class of 2019, and 29 prior graduates currently attending college. Graduating seniors successfully completing the application process received up to $ 5,175 individually, and post graduates received up to $4,000. All qualifying students who successfully completed the application process received an award.
Scholarships were awarded to the following graduating seniors: Noah Aukstikalnis; Colby Hume; Mary Robert; Jeremy Ayles; Shelby Mailloux; Abigail Roberts; Avah Cantrell; Analyse Merlini; Jared Rouleau; Julia Carey; Anthony Oro; Dennis St. Jean; Carter Cochran; Kassidy Pond; Celeste Torraco; Rebecca Deleo; Ryley Pond; Jocelyn Trenga; Molly Divoll; Desmond Pottinger; and Keayra White.
In addition, the AHS Scholarship Association presented the following named awards: William G. Lord Award – Mason Barrieau, Jake Chandler; Henry A. Stearns Memorial Scholarship – Molly Divoll; Cathy Cole Award – Kassidy Pond; Webb R. And Ethel S. Avery Award – Desmond Pottinger; Edwin C. Temple Memorial Award – Julia Carey; Athol American Legion, Post 102, Award – Avah Cantrell, Dennis St. Jean; and the Lloyd Newton Memorial Award – Shelby Mailloux.
Other named awards included: Gladys Crawford Webber Award – Molly Divoll; Theodore H. and Helen E. Berard Memorial Scholarship – Celeste Torraco; Ashley Beth Softic Scholarship Award – Celeste Torraco; Henry J. and Clare E. Brouillet Award – Colby Hume; Henry J. and Clare E. Brouillet Award – Jared Rouleau; Alan Plotkin Scholarship – Jeremy Ayles; Joseph R. Songer Scholarship – Kassidy Pond; and the Daniel Laakso Scholarship – Celeste Torraco.
Also receiving named awards were: Randall Kamerbeek Scholarship – Carter Cochran; Forrest & Bernice Blackmer – Jocelyn Trenga; Etienne Lozier Scholarship – Dennis St. Jean; John Linker Scholarship- Rebecca Deleo; Ann Findlay Williams Scholarship – Shelby Mailloux; Morris E. Katz & Freda H. Katz Award – Julia Carey; Cathy Robuccio Award – Ryley Pond; Farrar Family Scholarship Fund in honor of David Farrar – Noah Aukstikalnis; Brian Rivers Award – Mary Robert, Anthony Oro; Leo D. Chibas for Engineers – Ryley Pond; Karen Raymond Dugay Award – Abigail Roberts; and the Greg Stone Award – Rebecca Deleo.
The Athol High School Scholarship Association is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to qualified graduates of the Athol High School who attend institutions of higher learning. More information, including ways to contribute, are listed on their website, https://www.ahsscholarship.org , or by contacting Association treasurer Diane Maga Page at 978-833-6350 or via e-mail at dineyp82@msn.com.