Dollars for Scholars honors founders

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Before awarding scholarships to 140 local graduating seniors at Northampton High School Wednesday night, the Northampton Dollars for Scholars board of directors took time to recognize the organization's three founding members and to honor them with memorial scholarships in their names.

In recognition of their long-standing commitment to the program, board Vice President Thomas Bassett presented Founders Awards to Kathleen "Kay" Sheehan, Ralph Levy and Frank Heston, who came together to start the program 36 years ago.

"These three individuals have given a lot of their time, talents and encouragement to the rest of us over the last 35 years and they continue to be very active today," Bassett said. "They are the kind of people that wouldn't ask for or ever expect accolades for what they have done, but tonight they are going to have to bear with us and accept some awards, because they deserve it."

Following a standing ovation from some 300 students, friends and family members in attendance, Sheehan, Levy and Heston were also presented with certificates signed by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and three American flags that had flown over the Capitol in Washington.

In addition, Bassett announced that the organization was establishing three annual Founders Scholarships in their names in recognition of the pledge they made to make sure all local high school students have help paying for a college education. "This is to remember your efforts and the work that you have done," he said, "and to thank you for the 35 years of mentoring and for all the time you've spent bringing Dollars for Scholars to where it is today."

Northampton Dollars for Scholars is a local chapter of the national organization Scholarship America, which is the nation's largest nonprofit educational support organization. Dollars for Scholars provides students who live in Northampton the opportunity to apply for scholarships, regardless of the school they attend, and gives scholarships to graduating seniors and to students who are sophomores, juniors and seniors in college.

The group awarded $59,600 in scholarships to prospective graduates of Northampton High School and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Wednesday night. Maureen Mahar, president of the organization's board, said that over the past 35 years they have awarded approximately 2,500 scholarships totaling more than $1 million.

"Our pledge here in Northampton is to be a community behind our students," Mahar said. "We know that these scholarships won't come close to covering all of your college costs, but we hope that you receive this as a recognition of your hard work and an indication that the city of Northampton is really behind every one of you."

Also speaking at the group's 36th annual scholarship awards ceremony was Mayor Clare Higgins, who told students that as they get older they should remember getting a hand up from the residents of their city and remember to provide the same assistance to the next generation of high school graduates.

"I hope that 20 years from now when I am sitting up at the nursing home you will all come visit me," Higgins said, drawing a laugh from the audience, "but then I hope you'll come down to Dollars for Scholars and become a part of making these scholarships happen. That will be your debt to pay on to the next generation."

Residents interested in donating to this organization are encouraged to contact Northampton Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 60382, Florence, MA 01062-0382.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.