Congratulations,
Griffin Smith
DEBBIE WRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
2024 Recipient
L-R Garden Club Scholarship Committee members Nancy Jaysane, Jane Coleman Williams (Chair), Griffin Smith & Jackie Jones.
For over 58 years the Carlisle Garden Club has awarded the Debbie Wright Scholarship to help fund the college education of a Carlisle resident. This year’s recipient is Griffin Smith, a recent graduate of Concord Carlisle High School. This fall, Griffin will be attending Hampshire College majoring in agriculture. He plans to supplement this program with classes at the University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture through the Five College Consortium.
Griffin’s passion for organic, sustainable farming was developed and nurtured through his work at Clark Farm. Griffin started there in 5th grade when he was tasked with collecting eggs. In high school, he worked at the farm as part of an internship program and quickly discovered that he was drawn to working the land to produce healthy food. He explained that “my first summer, I really dove in the deep end and have continued to want to learn more”. Since that time, he has worked at the farm and currently does so on a full-time basis. During the season, Griffin is engaged in the agricultural tasks of planting seeds, watering, weeding, and harvesting. It is hard work, but he finds that it provides great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. He appreciates working with the other crew members, observing that good conversation and bonding can take place when weeding.
During Griffin’s first winter on the farm, he began to take care of the livestock after some of the workers had left and he found that he really enjoyed this aspect of farming as well. In addition to feeding and watering, he has developed an understanding and appreciation of animal behavior. Because of his experience and competence, he is sought out by people with hobby farms to help with their livestock when they are away.
Griffin is eager to pursue organic farming, finding that it is a good fit for him. He plans to build on his experience at Clark Farm by pursuing further education in farming and agriculture.
History of the Scholarship
Since 1966, the Carlisle Garden Club has awarded the Debbie Wright Scholarship in memory of the 13 year old Carlisle student who died of cancer. She was the daughter of club member Ann Wright. The scholarship is an important club priority, and funds are raised through the many activities the club holds throughout the year as well as donations targeted for the fund. Each September, the Garden Club votes on an amount based on the results of the past year's fundraising. In 2023, the scholarship amount was $3,000.
Who is eligible?
Each year, the Debbie Wright Scholarship is awarded to one or more high school seniors from Carlisle, MA who are college-bound. Recipients may attend Concord-Carlisle High School, a technical public school, a private high school or be home-schooled. Preference is given to students with an interest in plants and nature, especially those pursuing degrees in landscape architecture, horticulture, ecology, farming, forestry, botany, entomology, ornithology, environmental studies, or related areas.
Applications will be made available in the Spring of 2025.
For information on our 2023 recipient, Anson Rodgers, click here. Previous recipients are listed below.
Since 1966, the Carlisle Garden Club has awarded the Debbie Wright Scholarship in memory of the 13 year old Carlisle student who died of cancer. She was the daughter of club member Ann Wright. The scholarship is an important club priority, and funds are raised through the many activities the club holds throughout the year as well as donations targeted for the fund. Each September, the Garden Club votes on an amount based on the results of the past year's fundraising. In 2023, the scholarship amount was $3,000.
Who is eligible?
Each year, the Debbie Wright Scholarship is awarded to one or more high school seniors from Carlisle, MA who are college-bound. Recipients may attend Concord-Carlisle High School, a technical public school, a private high school or be home-schooled. Preference is given to students with an interest in plants and nature, especially those pursuing degrees in landscape architecture, horticulture, ecology, farming, forestry, botany, entomology, ornithology, environmental studies, or related areas.
Applications will be made available in the Spring of 2025.
For information on our 2023 recipient, Anson Rodgers, click here. Previous recipients are listed below.
How to Contribute
Members of the community are encouraged to support the scholarship fund. You can use the Buy Now button below to make a tax-deductible contribution. 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.
Members of the community are encouraged to support the scholarship fund. You can use the Buy Now button below to make a tax-deductible contribution. 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.
Past Recipients of Debbie Wright Scholarship
According to available club records, the following students have received scholarships from the fund:
According to available club records, the following students have received scholarships from the fund:
|
2024: Griffin Smith
2023: Anson Rodgers
2022: Marjorie Haddad
2021: Piper Harring
2020: Kierthan Lathrop
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
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
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
|
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
|