North Central Mass. Chamber to award $48,000 in scholarships to 24 students

Each spring a number of the region’s most outstanding high-school seniors are recognized with scholarships from the Chamber Foundation of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

On Friday, chamber members and guests have an opportunity to meet the scholarship winners, when a total of $48,000 in scholarships will be awarded at the “Good Morning” breakfast event.

These awards are either endowed or funded by companies and individuals, and a total of 24 scholarships for $2,000 are being presented this year.

The event starts at 6:45 a.m., with coffee, then a buffet breakfast, at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Leominster, 99 Erdman Way.

HealthAlliance is the main sponsor for the breakfast, which is moderated by Barbara Foster. Jack Doolin, chairman of the Scholarship Committee and senior vice president of human resources at Workers’ Credit Union, heads a group that selects scholarship recipients from among college-bound seniors in the chamber’s service area. The sole basis for selection is merit — in all aspects of students’ endeavors, from academics and sports to volunteer work and employment.

To attend Friday’s breakfast, call the chamber at 978-353-7600.

Meet this year’s scholarship award recipients.

EMILY BUCHANAN Oakmont Regional High School

Emily Buchanan, a senior at Oakmont Regional High School, has been awarded the Roderick W. & Donna M. Lewin Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of William and Mary Kate Buchanan. She ranks first in her class and will attend Boston College to study economics.

She has been class treasurer for two years and made National Honor Society. She has been an Oakmont peer leader all four years of high school and volunteered for the Relay for Life and made captain her senior year. Emily is also captain on the varsity soccer team and has been on the New England PGA Junior Tour for the past three years.

ALIVIA BURNS Leominster High’s School Center for Technical Excellence Innovation

Alivia Burns, a senior at Leominster High School Center for Technical Education Innovation, has been awarded the HealthAlliance Hospital Inc. Scholarship for $2,000. The daughter of Robert and Kathleen Burns, she ranks 25th in her class and will be attending Worcester State University to study occupational therapy.

After being class treasurer her freshman and sophomore year, Burns was made class president her junior and senior years. She is also vice president of the National Honor Society. She spends a lot of her spare time volunteering with the Lutheran Inter-Parish Youth Group, the Leominster High School Recycling Club, and serves as an officer of the GIVE volunteering program.

SOPHIA GONCALVES Fitchburg High School

Sophia Goncalves, a senior at Fitchburg High School, has been awarded the Elizabeth & Anthony DiGeronimo Family Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Oscar Goncalves and Angela Albertti. She ranks seventh in her class and would like to attend Boston University to study biology.

Goncalves has been on the honor roll all through high school and on the National Honor Society her junior and senior years. When she isn’t busy as class secretary, she plays on the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. She has worked on the Fitchburg Youth Commission and volunteers with the Student Leadership Training Program, Green Acres Summer Program and is founder of Team Fitchburg.

MORGAN DiPILLA Wachusett Regional High School

Morgan DiPilla, a senior at Wachusett Regional High School, has been awarded the Barbara Silva Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Vincent and Sandra DiPilla. She will attend UMass Amherst to study biology.

While maintaining straight A’s throughout high school, DiPilla has been secretary of the National Honor Society as well as a member of the Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Student Council. She is a senior mentor, played on the soccer and indoor track teams, and is captain of the varsity lacrosse team.

SHANINA FERREIRA Montachusett Regional Vocational High School

Shanina Ferreira, a senior at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, has been awarded the Chamber Foundation Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Sergio and Patricia Benitez. She ranks fifth in her class and would like to attend UMass Amherst to study business management.

Ferreira strives in giving back to her community. She is treasurer of the Skills USA Leadership Team, a member of the Leo Club, volunteers for Monty Tech’s Tour Days and has been a part of the Friends of Rachel Club for the past four years to spread awareness about bullying. She is on the Student Council as well as the National Honor Society. When she isn’t busy volunteering, she works as a bank teller at Workers’ Credit Union and as a certified lifeguard at Great Wolf Lodge.

JOHN GOVE Leominster High School

John Gove, a senior at Leominster High School, has been awarded the Enterprise Bank & Trust Scholarship for $2,000. He is the son of Paul and Lisa Gove, ranks fifth in his class and plans to attend Michigan State University to study horticulture.

Gove has been active in Leominster High School sports teams, playing on the varsity soccer, indoor track and spring track teams all four years, and was captain of all three for his junior and senior years. Gove is on the National Honor Society, the Renaissance Club and the Student Council. He is also a Boy Scout currently working on his Eagle Project.

OLIVIA HOULE Montachusett Regional Vocational High School

Olivia Houle, a senior at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, has been awarded the Edward C.J. Healey Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Scott and Nancy Houle, and ranks 34th in her class. She would like to attend the University of Connecticut to study biomedical engineering.

Houle is on the Monty Tech’s Principal’s List for her outstanding grades, and is president of the Monty Tech National Honor Society and Monty Tech’s SkillsUSA chapter. She has been a team member of the FIRST Robotics Team 3623 since 2014. Outside of school, Houle is a referee and head coach for Leominster Youth Soccer and participates in a co-op program at Steel-Fab Inc., as a welder.

LAURA JENNY Leominster High School

Laura Jenny, a senior at Leominster High School, has been awarded the HealthAlliance Hospital Inc. Scholarship for $2,000. Laura is the daughter of Peter and Mary Jenny. She ranks first in her class and will attend Harvard College to study biochemistry.

Jenny has straight A’s throughout her high-school career while participating in many extracurricular activities. She is on the National Honor Society, varsity volleyball team and Worcester Youth Symphony Orchestra, and is founder of PLAY (Protecting Law Enforcement and Youth) to name a few. Jenny has also interned at the Fitchburg Mayor’s Office, Pierce Lab at Harvard University, Minus Lab at Northeastern University and Fitchburg Art Museum.

SHANNA JOSEPH Wachusett Regional High School

Shanna Joseph, a senior at Wachusett Regional High School, has been awarded the Salny Family Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Kevin and Erin Flanagan and would like to attend Western New England in the fall to study criminal justice.

Joseph is on the National Honor Society and is a senior mentor for her grade. She is founder and president of the Minority Diversity and the Poetry Slam teams. She has also volunteered as a French tutor, helped out at a nursing home and is an intern at Reclaimed Daisies Antiques and Furniture Décor Shop.

KEITH KIDDER Ayer Shirley Regional High School

Keith Kidder, a senior at Ayer Shirley Regional High School, has been awarded the Elizabeth & Anthony DiGeronimo Family Scholarship for $2,000. Kidder is the son of William and Shilou Kidder. He ranks 31st in his class and will be attending Mount Wachusett Community College for Legal Studies.

Kidder participates in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Student Council, Mock Trial and Robotics, and he joined the football team his senior year. He has been a Boy Scout since sixth grade and achieved his Eagle Scout at the age of 16. Kidder also volunteers as a cross bearer and altar server at St. Anthony Church, and helps stock food at Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.

ANNEKE LaPOSTA Nashoba Regional High School

Anneke LaPosta, a senior at Nashoba Regional High School, has been awarded the Benjamin Asher Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Vincent LaPosta and Jody Nardone. She is undecided on what college she would like to attend and on what her major will be.

LaPosta is on the National Honor Society and has straight A’s all four years. She has been a member of the Bancroft-Liberty Hill Interscholastic Equestrian Association team for four years and a captain for three. She is a working student and has volunteered at Liberty Hill Farm. She has also been a junior staff member at the Dr. Franklin Perkins School’s Rein in a Dream, a therapeutic horsemanship center.

KRISTEN MAGUY Leominster High School

Kristen Maguy, a senior at Leominster High School, has been awarded the David L. McKeehan Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Richard and Jennifer Maguy. She ranks fourth in her class and will attend Simmons College in the fall to study nursing.

Maguy is class secretary, and a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, all while receiving straight A’s. She is also a member of the Spanish Club and Advocates for the Invisible Club, helping to raise money to help those who don’t have access to clean water or other necessary resources. She also volunteers as a tutor and at the Sunrise Assisted Living Home.

MARK McKEW St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School

Mark McKew, a senior at St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School, has been awarded the M. Ruth Lee Scholarship for $2,000. McKew is the son of Matthew and Carol McKew. He ranks fifth in his class and will attend Bentley University to study finance.

McKew is secretary of the National Honor Society, a member of the Latin Club and has participated on multiple sports teams, including varsity football, varsity soccer, indoor soccer, varsity lacrosse and indoor lacrosse. When he is not busy with school clubs or playing on one of the sports teams, he volunteers as a tutor for St. Bernard’s Elementary School’s After School Program.

CAMERON MOYLAN Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School

Cameron Moylan, a senior at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, has been awarded the George R. Wallace and Alice G. Wallace Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Thomas and Deborah Moylan and ranks third in her class. She will attend Vanguard University to study musical theater.

Moylan was a Massachusetts Girls and Women in Sports Day representative this year and captain of the varsity soccer team. She has starred in many productions at the Theatre at the Mount and City on the Hill, as well as a member of Monty Tech’s Drama Club. She is a dance instructor at Dance Revelations in Ashby as well as at the Summit Dance Center in Jaffrey, N.H.

KYLEIGH OLIVIER Leominster High School

Kyleigh Olivier, a senior at Leominster High School, has been awarded the M. Ruth Lee Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Rich and Susan Olivier and ranks sixth in her class. She would like to attend Hofstra University to study dance.

While maintaining straight A’s, Olivier is highly involved in her school, on the GIVE Club, the Student Wellness Advisory Team, and as secretary of the National Honor Society, co-president of Friends of Rachel and president of the Student Council. She has played soccer since she was 4 and is captain of the varsity soccer team. She has also danced since she was 3, competitively since she was 10 and has even taught her own classes.

MARK POTHIER Leominster High School Center for Technical Education Innovation

Mark Pothier, a senior at Leominster High School Center for Technical Education Innovation, has been awarded the Chamber Golf Tournament Scholarship for $2,000. Pothier is the son of Michael and Mary Ellen Pothier. He ranks second in his class and would like to attend UMass Lowell to study electrical engineering.

Pothier is on the National Honor Society and has achieved high honors every term. He is a member of GIVE and participated in SkillsUSA. Pothier earned his Eagle Scout in 2014 and volunteers at Holy Family of Nazareth Parish as a CCD teacher and altar server. When he isn’t busy with school and volunteering, he is an engineering technician at Infineon/International Rectifier.

SASHEALY RIVERA Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School

Sashealy Rivera, a senior at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, has been awarded the HealthAlliance Hospital Inc. Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Yolanda and Luis Orlando Rivera. She ranks first in her class and will be attending Franklin Pierce University to study health sciences.

Rivera is on the National Honor Society as well as on the Mathletes and SkillsUSA Leadership teams. She has played on the volleyball team for four years. She has won local and district medals in the Medical Math Competition. She has volunteered on multiple fundraising events as well as at the Battered Women’s Shelter and the LUK Kids at Heart Gala.

JOHN ‘JACK’ SHELTON The Bromfield School

John “Jack” Shelton, a senior at The Bromfield School, has been awarded the Rollstone Bank & Trust Scholarship for $2,000. He is the son of Robert and Mary Jane Shelton. He would like to attend Penn State, Syracuse, UConn or the University of Virginia to study business.

Shelton is not only on the honor society but is also a member of the French National Honor Society. He has been on the varsity golf team since the seventh grade and earned captain status his senior year. He also participates on the technical crew for The Bromfield Drama Club. When he isn’t busy volunteering at school or as sound operator/photographer/videographer for the town of Harvard, he runs his own DJ business called Audio Jack.

AMY SJOBERG Groton-Dunstable High School

Amy Sjoberg, a senior at Groton-Dunstable High School, has been awarded the Ronald Ansin Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Jon and Karen Sjoberg. Sjoberg ranks eighth in her class and plans to attend Penn State at the Schreyer Honors College to study pre-veterinary.

Sjoberg is involved in her school as class secretary, a member of the Student Council and the Academic Team, and is president of the Biology Club and a Chemistry Club officer. She also plays as the Jazz Band pianist and chorus accompanist. She also runs on the varsity cross-country team and is on the Nashoba Valley Equestrian Team. Sjoberg volunteers at the UCC Church in Groton, and plays piano for the Groton Community Dinners.

MADELEINE STEELE The Bromfield School

Madeleine Steele, a senior at The Bromfield School, has been awarded the HealthAlliance Hospital Inc. Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Robert and Marisa Steele. Steele is undecided but would like to attend the University of Vermont, University of Virginia or Tulane in the fall to study psychology.

She is the editor-in-chief of The Bromfield Beacon, her school’s yearbook and is class treasurer. She maintained straight A’s all four years and was on the varsity spring track team. When she isn’t busy with school, she works at the Longview Orthopedic Center and the Hildreth Elementary Gymnastics Camp. She also volunteers at Camp Sunshine and the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry.

BRYSON TANG Nashoba Valley Technical High School

Bryson Tang, a senior at Nashoba Valley Technical High School, has been awarded the Chamber Foundation Scholarship for $2,000. The son of Michael and Meg Tang, he ranks first in his class and will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study mathematics.

Tang is president of the Student Council, the National Honor Society and the Math Club. He has been a member of the FIRST Robotics team since freshman year and is co-captain his senior year. Tang is working as an intern at Biscom, where he has helped build internal management services and works with the sales team on quoting systems. He is also an intern at Fash, where he built a mobile app for the company on Android and iOS systems.

BRENDAN TOBIN Lunenburg High School

Brendan Tobin, a senior at Lunenburg High School, has been awarded the Adams Family Scholarship for $2,000. He is the son of Thomas and Carolyn Tobin and would like to attend Duke University to study biomedical engineering.

Tobin is president of his class, is on the National Honor Society, and competes for the varsity baseball and cross-country teams. He volunteers with the Boy Scouts and Order of the Arrow, where he is a board member, treasurer and an instructor for the BSA National Youth Leadership Training Program. He also volunteers at the Miracle League of Massachusetts and Our Lady of the Lake, to name a few.

CHLOE WESPISER North Middlesex Regional High School

Chloe Wespiser, a senior at North Middlesex Regional High School, has been awarded the Chamber Golf Tournament Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Anthony and Christine Wespiser. She ranks eighth in her class and plans to attend UMass Amherst to study nursing.

Wespiser is on the National Honor Society and has spent the past two years on the New Orleans Service Learning team. She is on the varsity soccer team and has been on the varsity lacrosse team since freshman year. She volunteers in her community, including at Our Father’s House, the Townsend Public Library, North Middlesex Regional High School’s Tutoring Program and as a helper with North Middlesex Youth Lacrosse.

PEYTON WIRTZ Fitchburg High School

Peyton Wirtz, a senior at Fitchburg High School, has been awarded the Workers’ Credit Union Scholarship for $2,000. She is the daughter of Eric and Elaina Wirtz. She ranks sixth in her class and will attend the University of Tampa to study marine biology.

Peyton has been on the Model United Nations Club and National Ocean Sciences Bowl Club since sophomore year. She has also enjoyed the Drama Club and Environmental Club. While she is not busy with school, she has worked the past three years at Five Below.