MetroWest Chamber Awards $13,000 in Scholarships

The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce awarded $13,000 in scholarship money to graduating seniors from the MetroWest region.

Students, their families and guidance counselors were feted at a reception sponsored by Staples, Inc.

The MetroWest Chamber Educational Foundation Scholarships were established to assist public or private high school seniors who reside in the MetroWest area and wish to continue their education beyond high school, whether in college, vocational or technical schools.

Each student received a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to help achieve their educational goals.

Partially funded by the Chamber’s Annual Golf Tournament and the Taste of MetroWest, five students received monies to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers.

Winners included:

• Danya Gaudet from Marlborough High
• Kelley Rivers from Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School
• Kendra Melanson from Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School
• Erica David from Hudson High
• Alexa Dafonte from Hopedale Jr-Sr High

Additionally, the Educational Foundation awarded six, Arcadius, Emma and Robert Lemieux Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.

Recipients included:

• Robert Oliver III from Bellingham High
• Jenna Kennally from Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School
• Devin Clemons from Marlborough High
• Tristen Perez from Framingham High
• My-Linh DeBonis from Natick High
• Hannah Caroll from Hudson High

Two new scholarships were awarded this year.

• The Walter Kelleher Memorial Scholarship went to Jailene Alonzo from Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School,.
• The Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism Scholarship recipient was Cameron Wilson from Blackstone Valley Tech.
  

Chris Kostiw, from People’s United Bank and Chair of the Educational Foundation Scholarship Committee said “It was difficult to choose from among so many qualified and worthy candidates.

The students receiving the scholarships are truly our leaders of tomorrow. We congratulate them on their strong academic record and exemplary community service and look forward to watching them pursue their chosen academic goals.”

Selection committee members also included Lemonia Mironidis from Bay State Savings Bank, Aaron LeGars from Nestle Waters Poland Spring, Blake Alleyn from the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center and Chamber President & CEO, Bonnie Biocchi.

The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit business advocacy, community and economic development association committed to the support of its members’ growth and success and the development of a positive economic climate in the MetroWest region and beyond.

A Five Star accredited Chamber from the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, The MetroWest Chamber serves the communities of Ashland, Bellingham Dover, Franklin, Framingham, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough and Weston and is funded by membership investments.