NAMA Announces Scholarship Winners

NAMA has selected their 2013 winners for 2013 and the awards go to… Scholarship Award Winners are Catherine Wolstromer and Benjamin Paster, both 2013 graduating seniors from North Andover High School and the Entrepreneur Award goes to Kyle Quinn for his start-up company, Quinn Landscaping.

NAMA will formally present each student with their award at their annual Knight of Honor – Rising Star Gala, to be held on Saturday, March 23^rd at the North Andover Country Club. The event includes dinner, silent and live auctions, entertainment, presentation of the student awards, as well as merchant of the year award and merchant milestone awards. Presently tickets are still available and can be purchased on line at: northandovermerchants.com or contact Sylvie Foulds at: (978) 685-1616. 

 Catherine Wolstromer is a member of Johnson Chapter National Honor Society (2012/13) and recipient of Abigail Adams Scholarship (2012). Her employment includes working as a figure skating instructor with No. Andover Figure Skating Club, a child care provider and a dog walker. Touching on just a few of her many athletic achievements she is a member of the NAHS Soccer Team - achieving Varsity Letter both junior & senior year. NAHS Ski Team - achieving Varsity Letter her sophomore & junior year and elected Team Captain for the 2012/13 season. She was awarded Most Improved Player - Coaches Award (2011), Unsung Heroine Coaches Award and Eagle Tribune Unsung Heroine Award (2012). NAHS Outdoor Track and Field - achieving Varsity Letter sophomore & junior year. School record holder of 4X 100M Hurdle Relay Team, 2012 recipient of Knight’s Pride Award and elected Team Captain for 2013 Season. Her literary achievements include, NECC Peace Poetry Contest Honoree; Apple Pi Arts & Literary Magazine contestant - having her charcoal drawing published. Her volunteer service includes No. Andover Youth Council, Youth Center Member and Ambassador, Youth Mission work, Salvation Army and St. Michael Parish to name a few. Catherine’s essay focused on a business she admires. She cited business owner, Terry Holland for his direct involvement in the community and the customers he serves. “Without knowing it, Mr. Holland has taught me that in order for a small business to be successful, it takes an owner who is involved, informed and vested. Whether my future endeavors take me down the path of small business ownership or working for a large corporation, Mr. Holland will remain a positive role model for me as a successful businessman who has achieved respect through hard work, dedication and a high degree of integrity. His work ethic and kindness have helped inspire me to pursue a career in business.” 

Ben Paster describes himself as Creative, Innovative, Entrepreneurial and he is certainly all of that and more. In reviewing his scholarship application, the committee was most impressed by Ben’s clear focus and individual accomplishments. His college of choice is Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NY University to which he was accepted and where he will major in Tech Startups/Entrepreneurship. His employment includes working for the North Andover Public Schools Information Tech. & Curriculum (ITAC) team where he created web portal for teachers, students and parents to connect and get support from the technology department; and his own startup company Kazzly; an intuitive platform that allows teachers to move class content online and communicate with students. Kazzly is currently in active use at No. Andover High School and being introduced in other schools. Ben also found time to volunteer his time working at No. Andover CAM for over 10 years, filming and directing countless town, sports, political and school events; he served as a high school Auditorium Tech and Information Tech. Assistant at No. Andover High School created Teens in Tech Blogger, a website to help teens who run startups and was an aide at Kaleidoscope Camp. Ben’s essay focused on a business he admired, citing Apple, Inc. as a company that has steadfastly held its position as an incredible and innovative company. Ben credits the Mac computer for inspiring his creativity and unleashing his desire to create films, websites, products and build on the Apple vision. “It is the idea of perfect user experience that Jobs and Wozniak helped pioneer that intrigues me. As I build products and experiences, I hope to follow in their footsteps.”

Kyle Quinn is recognized as this year’s young entrepreneur award winner. His business, Quinn’s Landscaping, specializes primarily in lawn care, including mowing, planting and shrubbery removal. Kyle clearly understands that all small businesses start from the ground up. In his essay, Kyle states, “there is no substitute for the experience of starting a company, what we learn is invaluable.” Describing himself as a young, driven individual, Kyle spoke of learning early on about the need to minimize risk in his small business but discovered the costs associated with a start-up company thwart that notion. He also recognizes there are no shortcuts to success and his drive and persistence has helped him meet the challenge of being surrounded by competitors who have managed similar businesses for many more years than he. Kyle spoke about his will to have his business succeed and if chosen for this year’s entrepreneur award, he will put award money towards the wellness and growth of Quinn’s Landscaping and future business.