More Than $135K in Scholarships Handed to Lacey Seniors

Approximately 410 scholarships were handed to a plethora of Lacey Township High School seniors totaling more than $135,000 at Thursday’s Scholarship Night.

“Tonight we have some of the best and brightest that Lacey has to offer,” Principal William Zylinski said. “Tonight however is not about them. Tonight is about the individuals that are seated here on stage.”

From school district clubs and nonprofit organizations to families and local businesses, the Lacey community came together to award the graduating students.

“These individuals have personally taken time away from their own lives so that the potential graduates receiving monetary awards this evening can succeed,” he said.

Zylinski pointed out that the donors raised more than $350 a day for the seniors.

“These are not just dollars,” he said. “The money distributed tonight represents hopes and dreams that may come true with perseverance after high school.”

The donations also represent an opportunity for the students to graduate college without the burden of debt, he said.

Each donation varied in amount and many students received several scholarships.

Matthew Lembo received a scholarship of $50,000 from the Naval Academy Preparatory School. The Naval Academy’s Blue and Gold Officer said over 21,000 apply to the Naval Academy and about 200 will go to the preparatory school. If Matt gets into the Naval Academy next year, the scholarship will be raised to $450,000. It has been five years since someone from Lacey joined the Naval Academy.

More than $16,500 each was given to three students—Sarah Schwec, Daniel Sheedy and Scott Lapsley for the Betty Jean Parker Miller Memorial Scholarship.

Four scholarships in the amount of $10,000 were awarded to four students—Alexandra Granato, Jordyn Nally, Kyle McGuire and Daniel Moore—for the Elizabeth Otis Shear Memorial Foundation Scholarship.

Another $10,000 was awarded to Garrett Waligroski from the Specialists in Urology Medical Group.

Nothing better exemplifies the community support for Lacey schools than Scholarship Night, Board of Education President Jack Martenak said. That support comes in many forms throughout the year such as the PTSA with Prom Breakfast and the emergency services with Project Crash.

The night had two themes—generosity and gratitude, Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower said. The donations represent an investment in the future of the student’s lives.

“In my opinion, tonight’s Scholarship Night is one of the most meaningful nights of the year because it shows everyone the Lacey Township community leaders value education,” Supervisor of Guidance Deborah Desaulniers said. “It is also an emotional night because we have the opportunity to pay our respect to the student leaders of tomorrow.”

Attached is a list of the scholarships and the recipients.