See The Worcester Students Who Won 2023 WEDF Scholarships

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Educational Development Foundation recently awarded scholarships and other post-high school assistance to dozens of members of the class of 2023.

In total, the nonprofit awarded over $40,000 in awards to graduates, including these scholarship winners:

• Nina and Miriam Barber Scholarship — Taevye Dawkins, North High School
• Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarship — Denesia Rivera, Maria Paniagua Castillo, Chelsea Frimpong, North High School
• North High Alumni Association Scholarships — Juleein Nicolas, Leilani Castro, Crystal Abruzzise, Colm King, Jaylene Canales Morales, Jenny Wu
• Ryan Quinn Memorial Scholarship — Annie Corrao, Burncoat High School
• Mary Murphy Spirit Award — Mia Haynes, Burncoat High School

On top of the scholarships, WEDF gave 40 students from eight high schools laptops, plus gift cards to 17 students who excelled at performing and visual arts. The WEDF also gave the 2023 Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning AP English to Worcester Technical High School graduate Brian Nguyen and teacher Jessica McGuire.

WEDF raises scholarships funds from corporate donors, foundations, individuals and from fundraising events.

"We are also grateful to the donors who have endowed the funds with personal assets, those who have volunteered for golf tournaments and other events, and the foundations, corporations and organizations that have entrusted their funds with us to support our most precious resource, our children," WEDF Executive Director Louise Clarke said in a news release.