MV Youth has announced the 12 recipients of this year’s college and workforce scholarships totaling approximately $990,000.
The community fund was founded in 2014 with a mission to provide education scholarships for Island students and organizations that serve children, teens and young adults.
The college and healthcare and education scholarships provide “last-dollar funding” to high school seniors who qualify for financial support for a traditional four-year program. The workforce development scholarships are given to Islanders ages 18 to 25 to pursue studies in one or two-year programs.
Each year, the MV Youth advisory board interviews numerous students, with an emphasis on financial need and merit-based scholarships, according to Lindsey Scott, executive director of MV Youth.
“Every year it’s a very difficult decision for our group to figure out who to fund and who will not be funded by us,” Ms. Scott said. “It’s very difficult to draw the line. There’s the heartbreak. There’s also the joy in delivering this news to families every year.”
Seven recipients will receive college scholarships: Emma Burt (Smith College), Nicholas Carpenter (Northeastern University), Josh Lake (Providence College), Georgia Magden (University of Mississippi), Rebecca Mandelli (Providence College), Jahzarah McIntosh (University of Michigan) and Nikeya Tankard (Connecticut College).
Three students received scholarships to pursue degrees in healthcare and education: Kimberly Marques (Rhode Island College for nursing), Olivia MacPherson (Bridgewater State University for early childhood education) and Norah Prestley (University of Saint Joseph’s for nursing).
Workforce development scholarships were given to Greg Clark, who will attend New England Institute of Technology to train in marine biology, and Gerry Kane, who will attend New England Institute of Technology to train in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology.
MV Youth was started by Jim Swartz and Dan Stanton, along with an original group of 40 donors, who each pledged $25,000 annually for four years. Each year new donors make a similar pledge, with other benefactors, supporters and partners giving smaller donations.
Ms. Scott said she is proud of how the fund has been able to support students during the last decade.
“Ten years, 100 kids, 100 founders giving $100,000,” Ms. Scott said. “It’s incredibly generous.”
The organization also awards each year substantial grants to Island organizations that focus on serving children, teens and young adults. In December 2023, the fund awarded $1 million to the MV Boys & Girls Club.
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