Salem Awards 17 College Scholarships At City Hall Event

SALEM, MA — Seventeen Salem students who are entering college this fall will get a bit of help from the City of Salem Scholarship & Education Funds through $500 awards presented at a City Hall ceremony this week.

The 2025 scholarship recipients are:

• Leena Burae of New Liberty Innovation School, who plans to attend North Shore Community College.
• Nestor Castillo of New Liberty Innovation School, who plans to attend North Shore Community College.
• Jaylitza DelRosario of Salem High School, who plans to attend Florida Institute of Technology.
• Melannie Diaz of Salem Academy Charter School, who plans to attend Emmanuel College.
• Mariangela Diaz of Salem High School, who plans to attend the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
• Sophia Fritz of Salem High School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
• Ethan J. Jones of Salem High School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
• Stephen Kapantais III of St. John’s Preparatory School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
• Zari Lilly of Salem Academy Charter School, who plans to attend Emmanuel College.
• Ryan Losolfo of St. John’s Preparatory School, who plans to attend Saint Anselm College.
• Whitney New of Salem High School, who plans to attend University of New Hampshire.
• Linus Owen of Salem High School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
• Quinn Rocco Ryan of Salem High School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
• Payton Schroeder of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, who plans to attend University of New Hampshire.
• Alexander Andrew Shilo of Swampscott High School, who plans to attend Salem State University.
• Lindell Dre Valsote of Salem Academy Charter School, who plans to attend Cornell University.
• Kyra Lynne Walker of New Liberty Innovation School, who plans to attend Juvenux Esthetics Academy.

"Congratulations to the 2025 scholarship recipients and thank you to all the students who applied for consideration," said Scholarship Committee Chair Yamilis Cruz. "The pool of applicants this year was highly competitive, showcasing the quality, potential, and accomplishments of Salem's youth.

"The Scholarship and Education Committee is deeply grateful to the many Salem residents who have donated to the fund, making these scholarships possible."

Donations to the scholarship fund can be made here.

"Thanks also to the many donors who make these scholarships possible," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "This year, we are especially grateful to Doug Burke and The Derby restaurant, who hosted a fundraiser throughout the month of March to allow the city of Salem to award even more scholarships to recipients as they embark on their futures.

"In Salem, we support our students in their academic careers, and we approach education as a community mission."

The City of Salem Scholarship and Education Funds, established in 1987, are largely funded through small donations by Salem taxpayers on their tax bills. Donations to both funds are entirely tax-deductible, with 100 percent of all contributions going directly to scholarship and grant recipients. Funding support also comes from grants and gifts from businesses, foundations, and other community members.

The Scholarship Fund provides educational financial aid to Salem students pursuing higher education, while the Education Fund offers supplemental educational funding for local educational needs. Scholarships are awarded annually, and Education Fund grants are distributed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)