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Debbie Wright Scholarship Fund |
For 54 years, the Carlisle Garden Club has awarded a scholarship for any Carlisle student entering higher education. Preference is given to students who have an interest in fields associated with agriculture or the environment, such as landscape architecture; horticulture; forestry; farming, conservation; entomology; ornithology; or environmental studies. The amount available in any given year has varied according to the available funds, as approved by a vote of the membership.
History of the Debbie Wright Scholarship
When member Ann Wright's daughter Debbie died in 1966 at the tragically young age of 13, the club organized a bulb sale to institute a scholarship fund in Debbie's name. Although that sale has since been replaced by other fundraisers, the scholarship is still an important club priority. For more than 50 years, the club has awarded scholarships to Carlisle residents to help them defray the first year of college costs. Scholarships are currently available to Concord-Carlisle High School (CCHS) graduating seniors, as well as graduates from the regional vocational-technical high schools or private schools.
After the fund was established, Ann Wright served as the club’s president in 1967-68. The fund was amplified with family donations after Alan G. Wright’s death in 1986. Upon Ann’s death in 2014, her surviving daughter relayed a request that donations in memory of her mother be directed to the fund.
The fund is administered by Garden Club members, who review applications and interview prospective recipients. Some past chairs of the scholarship fund are still affiliated with the club: For example, lifetime member Sylvia Brandhorst (a member since the club's inception) chaired in 1975-76. The current chair is Jane Coleman Williams.
History of the Debbie Wright Scholarship
When member Ann Wright's daughter Debbie died in 1966 at the tragically young age of 13, the club organized a bulb sale to institute a scholarship fund in Debbie's name. Although that sale has since been replaced by other fundraisers, the scholarship is still an important club priority. For more than 50 years, the club has awarded scholarships to Carlisle residents to help them defray the first year of college costs. Scholarships are currently available to Concord-Carlisle High School (CCHS) graduating seniors, as well as graduates from the regional vocational-technical high schools or private schools.
After the fund was established, Ann Wright served as the club’s president in 1967-68. The fund was amplified with family donations after Alan G. Wright’s death in 1986. Upon Ann’s death in 2014, her surviving daughter relayed a request that donations in memory of her mother be directed to the fund.
The fund is administered by Garden Club members, who review applications and interview prospective recipients. Some past chairs of the scholarship fund are still affiliated with the club: For example, lifetime member Sylvia Brandhorst (a member since the club's inception) chaired in 1975-76. The current chair is Jane Coleman Williams.
Download the 2020 Scholarship Application Form
Submit on or before May 15, 2020
How to Contribute
In the face of the current economic downturn, members of the community are encouraged to support the scholarship fund. You can use the Donate button below to make a tax-deductible contribution that increases the amount of the scholarship. If you prefer to send a check, please address it to the Carlisle Garden Club, PO Box 231, Carlisle, MA 01741 and specify Debbie Wright Scholarship Fund on the memo line.
In the face of the current economic downturn, members of the community are encouraged to support the scholarship fund. You can use the Donate button below to make a tax-deductible contribution that increases the amount of the scholarship. If you prefer to send a check, please address it to the Carlisle Garden Club, PO Box 231, Carlisle, MA 01741 and specify Debbie Wright Scholarship Fund on the memo line.
The 2019 winner was...
L-R: The Scholarship Committee makes the award. Nancy Jaysane, Kyle Bonenfant, Committee Chair Jane Coleman Williams and Holly Harring
… Kyle Bonenfant, who graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School in 2019 and is attending California Polytechnic. He plans to major in Animal Science with a minor in Crop Science. His goal is to own and operate his own sustainable organic farm.
Kyle has a long-standing interest in farming. At age 11 he kept chickens and maintained a small vegetable garden. He sold eggs and produce at the Carlisle Farmers Market and donated the proceeds to the House of Hope Homeless Shelter in Lowell.
At the same time he began volunteering at Clark Farm to learn skills and expand his knowledge base. By age 15 he was working almost full time as a farmer -- performing a variety of tasks including driving tractors. At the farm Kyle shared his talent and passion for farming by leading a crew of Young Farmers.
In 2018 Kyle launched his own livestock-based landscaping business, Fraser Farm, which provides yard cleaning using goats. He was invited to bring his animals to the Concord Ag Day and Boston Local Food Festival where he had the opportunity to interact with over 1,200 people promoting the importance of small organic farms and encouraging support for young farmers. An article about Kyle’s goatscaping business appeared in the Boston Globe and he was named by Bostinno as a rising young entrepreneur.
We wish Kyle a rewarding and fulfilling college experience.
Kyle has a long-standing interest in farming. At age 11 he kept chickens and maintained a small vegetable garden. He sold eggs and produce at the Carlisle Farmers Market and donated the proceeds to the House of Hope Homeless Shelter in Lowell.
At the same time he began volunteering at Clark Farm to learn skills and expand his knowledge base. By age 15 he was working almost full time as a farmer -- performing a variety of tasks including driving tractors. At the farm Kyle shared his talent and passion for farming by leading a crew of Young Farmers.
In 2018 Kyle launched his own livestock-based landscaping business, Fraser Farm, which provides yard cleaning using goats. He was invited to bring his animals to the Concord Ag Day and Boston Local Food Festival where he had the opportunity to interact with over 1,200 people promoting the importance of small organic farms and encouraging support for young farmers. An article about Kyle’s goatscaping business appeared in the Boston Globe and he was named by Bostinno as a rising young entrepreneur.
We wish Kyle a rewarding and fulfilling college experience.
DEBBIE WRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
According to available club records, the following students have received scholarships from the Debbie Wright fund.
According to available club records, the following students have received scholarships from the Debbie Wright fund.
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2019: Kyle Bonenfant
2018: Maeve Devlin
2017: Whitney Nash
2016: Samuel Heinrich
2015: Rachel Bratton
2014: Chasidy Jaquith
2013: Emilie Carr
2012: Lauren Tierney, Alex Doig
2011: Melissa Mariano
2010: Christopher Duffy, Jennifer Perugini
2009: Max Herman, Sarah Ganek
2008: Alice Tattersoll, Julia Lyons
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2007: Emily Fritz-Endres
2005: Marlow Duffy, Alison Probolus
2004: Benjamin Phillippo
2003: Elizabeth Orlando
2002: Stephanie Fardy
2001: Carlyn Saylor
2000: Preston Hollerman
1999: Caitlin Gaffey
1997: Matt Zezima
1996: Edward Schreiner
1993: Chris Donnelly
1992: Tim Gordon
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1991: Julie Hayen, Sonya Raymond
1990: Julie Hayen, Christa Clivern
1989: Lisa Hayen
1987: Robert Cliven, Lisa Hayen
1986: Linda Moseley, Karin Schubach, Heather Behn
1985: Linda Mortenson, Kenneth Jacobi, Veronica Bins
1984: Jennifer Hayen
1983: John Cremin, Holly Powers
1982: Polly Verajosian, Cherie Powers, Heidi Given
1981: Heidi Given
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1980: Cheryl Mosely, Mary Cogswell
1979: Thomas O'Rourke, Glenn Callahan
1978: Josephine Christen, Mark Enroth
1977: John Cogswell, Mark Enroth
1976: Linda Golab, Cliff Mehan
1975: John D. Bartlett
1974: Cliff Meehan
1972: Alice Maqueene
1971: Edward Grees
1970: Gregory Cann
1966: Neal Mirfield
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