$2,000 Awarded to Help Students Pursue Post-Secondary Educational Goals
WATERTOWN — The North Side Legacy Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently presented four members of the Class of 2022 with scholarships totaling $2,000 to support their post-secondary educational pursuits.
The North Side Legacy Fund was established in 2019 as a permanent fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation to forever honor and perpetuate the history and heritage of the North Side Improvement League.
Graduating high school seniors who live in the City of Watertown as well as students from other areas who have family ties to the League were encouraged to apply.
Scholarship recipients are Watertown-area residents and students with family ties to the North Side Improvement League who will enroll this fall in a post-secondary educational program. Recipients of this one-year award each received $500 and were selected based on combined test scores, cumulative high school GPA, rank in class, personal data, essay scores, and applicant appraisals.
“Since this fund was established, we have heard from individuals who have had meaningful connections to the League’s history. It affirms that this is, and will forever be, a fitting and worthwhile way to extend the good works they brought to our community during their existence,” said Rande Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “Several have also given additional gifts to grow the fund, which even further demonstrates that this will be a living legacy for those who will always care about the League’s work and advocacy for the north side and all of Watertown.”
Class of 2022 North Side Legacy Scholarship recipients are:
- Victoria Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central, The Frederick Gunn School, Washington, Conn., undecided; daughter of Tricia and Michael Ledoux, Watertown. Victoria’s great-grandmother, the late Helen Irene Spicer, and her family were actively involved in the North Side Improvement League.
- Hannah M. Reichard, Cicero/North Syracuse High School, University at Buffalo, speech and hearing science; daughter of Jodi and David Reichard, Cicero. Hannah’s grandfather, the late Richard J. Castagnier was an active member of the North Side Improvement League.
- Martin Joseph Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central, SUNY Canton, eSports management; son of Julie M. Hutchins, Watertown. Martin’s maternal grandfather, John J. Trombly, Sr., was a member of the North Side Improvement League for many years.
- Loise Allen Pador, Watertown High School, University at Buffalo, psychology; daughter of Luzviminda and Allan Pador, Watertown. Loise’s grew up on Watertown’s north side where her family still resides.
Since it was established, 16 students with family ties to Watertown’s north side and the former North Side Improvement League have been awarded educational support totaling $7,500.
Past recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship include, from the Class of 2020: Madilyn Eveleigh, Watertown High School; Samantha Farone, Immaculate Heart Central; Benjamin T. Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; Brennan Lynch, Watertown High School; Nicholas Mallette, Watertown High School; Mikayla Murphy, Watertown High School; Kate O’Neil, Immaculate Heart Central; and Marissa E. Valvo, General Brown Central High School. From the Class of 2021: Dawson DeLine, Watertown High School; Tadd Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central; Maria Netto, Watertown High School, and Madison White, Watertown High School.
The North Side Legacy Fund also supports nonprofit organizations that serve Watertown residents.
The North Side Improvement League’s rich history and legacy of civic involvement and community betterment that spanned more than a century continues through the North Side Legacy Fund. To help build the fund, gifts can be made to the Northern New York Community Foundation, ATTN: North Side Legacy Fund, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, or through secure online giving at nnycf.org.
Members of the North Side Legacy Fund Advisory Committee include: Sylvia Buduson, Allison Crossman, Michael Dupee, Jacob Johnson, Laurie Koelmel, Terri Mallette, Bill and Pat Parody, and Terry Williams.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.