The Westerly College Club recently gathered via Zoom to celebrate its 2021 class of scholarship recipients. In its 111th year, the club awarded $38,000 in scholarships to 22 very deserving and inspirational local students. Fourteen of those students were able to attend and share their experiences, talents and dreams for the future.

Each one of these gifted students is making the most of their educational opportunities despite the extra challenges posed by the pandemic. For quite a few, this past semester was their first experience with in-person classes, but that certainly hasn’t limited their ambition, as one student is already packing for France and another is making his plans to study in Germany next year, while carrying two majors, a minor and playing in a band.

An Engineering Physics major already has a job offer in hand, while others are involved in internships and in volunteer and mentorship roles. Finally, one can only admire the nursing majors who will be entering this vital field in such a stressful time and who are already deep into hospital clinicals.

These exemplary young people are tremendous examples of the best of what our area has to offer.

2021 Lois Hamilton Fontaine Scholarship Recipients:

Jack Adams, Westerly, University of Maine; Jordan Allen-Hurd, Westerly, Eastern Connecticut State University; Caroline Andrews, Pawcatuck, Bentley University; Ryan Arruda, Westerly, Rowan University; Michaela Burr, Westerly, Rhode Island College; Gianna Colao, Westerly, St. John’s University; Mark Costanzo, Pawcatuck, University of Rhode Island; Tyler Faubert, Westerly, University of Rhode Island; Sydney Federico, Westerly, University of Rhode Island; Krista Jones, Pawcatuck, Southern Connecticut State University; Abiageal Keegan, Westerly, Pennsylvania State University; Dylan LaMotte, Westerly, University of Rhode Island;

Emily Lewis, Stonington, University of New England; Robert Lewis, Stonington, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; Brendan Peck, Bradford (R.I.), University of Rhode Island; Ailill Smith, Westerly, University of Rhode Island; Iris Wainston, Mystic, Villanova University; Abigail White, Westerly, Sacred Heart University; Alexandra Wilson, Hope Valley (R.I.), Rhode Island College; Elyse Yanusas, Westerly, Nazareth College; Elizabeth Yarnall, Pawcatuck, University of Rochester; Izadora Yarnall, Pawcatuck, University of Connecticut.

The Westerly College Club is dedicated to raising scholarship funds for deserving area students, as well as offering a variety of informative and educational programs for members and the general public. Find more information about the WCC and the scholarship program at TheWesterlyCollegeClub.org. Applications for 2022 scholarships will be available on the website in March.