The Town of Northborough Scholarship Committee awarded a total of $5,000 in 2024 scholarship funds to six graduating high school seniors. The recipients were Sylvia Gaskamp, JanetLou Guan, Landen Jorgensen, Ella Nofsinger, Lindsay Ogar, and Irene Shin. They were chosen based on their community service and employment experiences, school and extra-curricular activities, financial need, academic standing, and an essay response. All attended Algonquin Regional High School.
Ogar was named the first recipient of the tribute scholarship made possible by the generous donation of long time Northborough residents Nisha and Chandra Vora. A portion of their $2,500 donation will be earmarked for five years for a student majoring in business or science/healthcare. The Vora’s donation is in honor of their three children – Ami, Avni, and Neel—who attended Northborough schools. Chandra is also a member of the Scholarship Committee.
Committee Chair Liz Nolan said the scholarship fund relies solely on the generosity of the community as it does not receive any money from the town budget. The number of scholarships and the amount awarded are decided each year by the Committee based on available funds.
“The Committee continues to brainstorm new ways to fundraise, make improvements to the process, and bring more awareness to the Scholarship Fund,” said Nolan. “A holiday online auction was new to our fundraising efforts, and it did so well, that we are already planning to expand it this year.”
Nolan also credits the popular sale of Algonquin graduation yard signs with the assistance of local printer HB Printing; and a sneaker collection in collaboration with GotSneakers, PR Running in Westborough and Hotworx in Northborough for the Committee’s successful fundraising efforts.
How can you donate to the Scholarship Fund?
A Tribute Donation platform was recently created. A charitable contribution to the Fund can be made “in honor of” or “in memory of” a specific person who holds a special place in the heart of the donor. Alumni or parents of alumni are invited to make a tribute donation honoring their alma mater, an educator or coach who made a difference, or honoring a graduating class.
Other ways to donate include online, by mail (Scholarship Committee, Northborough Town Hall, 63 Main Street, Northborough MA 01532), or by adding an additional amount to the tax bill by checking off the box dedicated to the Fund.
“Thank you to all who have donated online and participated in fundraisers to help these students continue their education,” said Nolan. “We have a small, but very hard-working Committee. Each year, we hope to grow the fund and be able to increase the awards.”
Additional information and donation information can be found at https://sites.google.com/view/northboroughscholarship or email NorthbroughScholarships@gmail.com.
