Boldt Descendants Continue Educational Support of Jefferson County High School Graduates Pursuing Post-Secondary Studies
HEART ISLAND — Three Jefferson County high school graduates of the Class of 2026 are recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship.
Belleville Henderson High School graduate May M. Gordon, General Brown High School graduate Emma J. Lavarnway, and Sackets Harbor High School graduate Roman L. Peebles were each awarded a two-year, $10,000 scholarship during a recent reception at Boldt Castle.
The scholarship honors the legacy of the castle’s builder, noted hotelier and philanthropist George C. Boldt Sr. Boldt’s great-grandson, Malcolm Goodridge III, led efforts to establish the scholarship with other Boldt descendants and dozens of North Country donors who have made gifts to the scholarship fund at the Community Foundation. Mr. Goodridge passed away in March 2024 at the age of 87.
“The students who receive this award quickly realize that it is much more than just a scholarship,” Community Foundation President & CEO Rande S. Richardson said. In addition to its special ties to history, it is meaningful recognition of their individual perseverance and determination and belief in their future potential to find success.”
The Community Foundation presented the scholarships on behalf of the Goodridge family. A permanent plaque that pays tribute to founding donors was installed in Boldt Castle in 2019 along with a plaque that names recipients of the Boldt Scholarship. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, which owns and operates Boldt Castle as a leading tourist destination, has generously supported the scholarship program since its inception.
George C. Boldt, who immigrated to the United States from Prussia at age 13, believed in people who showed promise throughout his life in business. Each of the new scholarship recipients have faced obstacles and overcome difficulties in their young lives as they begin their college studies.
“My Dad always rooted for the underdog — the person who got knocked down and got back up. Each of this year’s recipients have demonstrated unflinching determination. They’ve faced challenges, persevered, and earned this opportunity,” Mr. Boldt’s great-great-grandson Charles B. Goodridge said. “I’m happy to tell everyone that our recipients were selected not because they had the highest grades, but because of what they have overcome. That is exactly what this scholarship is meant to celebrate, and exactly why my Dad wanted to create it.”
About this year’s George C. Boldt Scholars
May M. Gordon graduated in June from Belleville Henderson High School with a New York State Regents diploma. She will attend the University at Albany this fall to study biology. May aspires to work as a pediatric nurse before continuing her education in medical school to become a pediatric trauma surgeon. She is the daughter of Kirk Kleiboer and stepdaughter of Erin Perkins, Adams.
Emma J. Lavarnway graduated in June from General Brown High School with a New York State Regents diploma. She will attend the University at Albany this fall to study early childhood education. Emma aspires to return to the North Country to work as an elementary school teacher. She is the daughter of Maureen Aiken and stepdaughter of Robert Aiken, Dexter.
Roman L. Peebles graduated in June from Sackets Harbor High School with a New York State Regents diploma. He will attend the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, this fall to study culinary arts. He aspires to work in a Michelin Star restaurant in Chicago, New York City, or Washington, D.C., and hopes to teach in a culinary arts program after gaining restaurant experience. He is the son of Sunshine and Jeremy Peebles, Adams.
About the George C. Boldt Scholarship
Following a summer 2017 family gathering at Boldt Castle, descendants of famed hotelier George C. Boldt Sr., led by Malcolm Goodridge III, decided to establish a permanent scholarship fund to forever benefit Jefferson County students. The Northern New York Community Foundation was selected as the permanent home of the scholarship, which honors Mr. Boldt’s legacy of service.
Mr. Boldt, (1851-1916) a one-time proprietor of the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, is known for his influence on development of the urban hotel as a civic social center and luxury destination. He and his family left a philanthropic legacy that, among other things, emphasized education.
In 1922, Mr. Boldt’s son, George C. Jr., established a scholarship program at Cornell University that bears his father’s name. According to an April 24, 1923, story in the “Cornell Daily Sun,” the elder Mr. Boldt “always sympathized with an eager student whose only impediment to higher education was a lack of funds.” During his lifetime, Mr. Boldt also helped put at least 75 people through college, doing so anonymously. It is fitting that this legacy continues through the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Sr. Scholarship.
Jefferson County residents pursuing full-time undergraduate study — either in college, technical, vocational, or trade school — may apply. Applications are accepted from high school seniors or nontraditional students. The scholarship was expanded in 2021 to a two-year award of up to $10,000 with three awards this year. Recipients are chosen based on academic performance, personal data, essay scores, and letters of recommendation. Students should show promise and potential and have demonstrated an interest in and service to their communities.
Past recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship include, from the Class of 2019: Matthew Ford and Dylan O’Connor, Alexandria Central High School, and Abrianna Parson, Watertown High School; from the Class of 2020: Ashley St. Croix, Thousand Islands High School, and Mya Weaver and Makayla Witt, Alexandria Central High School; from the Class of 2021: Hayden Augliano, Watertown High School, Jason J. Badalato, Carthage Senior High School, and Gabrielle “Ellie” Hyde, Alexandria Central High School; and from the Class of 2022: Elizabeth Ann Marie Hellings and Cody M. Wade, Indian River High School, and Brayden Philip Wiley, Thousand Islands High School. Class of 2023: Chantell L. Beach, Watertown High School, Cameron L. Derouin, Sackets Harbor High School, and Sadie S. Pasinello, South Jefferson High School; from the Class of 2024: Ella F. Galloway and Sydnie R. Manarina, Watertown High School, and Dawson J. Rastley, General Brown High School; from the Class of 2025: Benjamin R. Berry, Indian River High School, James A. DiValentino, Thousand Islands High School, and Anastaja Smith, Watertown High School.
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.