West Parish Church
United Church of Christ 
West Parish Men's Group
College Scholarships
About the program
The West Parish Men's Club has given 99 scholarships to Youth from the Greater Lawrence Boys and Girls Club - totaling over $78,000 since in began in 2013! As of spring 2020, the group has directly financially helped 21 kids to graduate from college.
Jon, the College Scholarship Chairman, tells more below:
"In our neighboring city of Lawrence, only half of the kids graduate from high school. There are many reasons that they don’t graduate from high school - but all of the reasons can be stated in one word, adversity. The smiling faces of our honorees give no indication of the experiences that they have had to endure.
In reviewing the scholarship applications and taking into account things that I know from our personal relationships, I can tell you that collectively, these kids have seen everything. You name it, they’ve experienced it. Things that simply no child should ever have to experience and things that would horrify you. These young adults have managed to overcome their obstacles and challenges, and even thrive.
When you hear about the high school dropout rate in Lawrence, instead of thinking that there are bad kids dropping out, think about the good kids trying to succeed in a bad situation. We celebrate that we are able to give scholarships to such deserving young adults, but what overshadows our gifts, is the fact that these kids have triumphed over the challenges and the odds. "
Hear from the award winners
Maribel
"This is something that we fight for - to be a graduate. It's not often said - but it's a tough journey."
Yeraldo
"This scholarship meant peace of mind that I had the supplies I needed. It also meant Jon and Kim. They are great resources as mentors. I couldn’t be more grateful for having someone like them in my corner."
Ashley
"Having someone believe in us is so important. We are defying the odds.
Because of the scholarships – we are one step closer to achieving greatness!"
2022 College Scholarship Recipients
Please join us in congratulating these 5 high school seniors: Juanjose Cabrera, Billy Joaquin, Andrew Kelley, Ava Rose Vasquez, and Arlenis Veloz!
Each of these young individuals have achieved academic high honors, along with being actively involved in sports teams, and volunteer work at the Greater Lawrence Boys and Girls club.
2021 College Scholarship Recipients
Please join us in congratulating Jalexa Abreu, Elizabeth Brea, Alenairam Castillo, Lia Delvalle, Elvin Rosa and Victor Saldanha.
These amazing youth all achieved academic high honors, along with being actively involved in sports teams, and volunteer work at the Greater Lawrence Boys and Girls club.
Watch the video of the awards!
2020 College Scholarship Recipients
In June 2020, 14high school graduates from Lawrence High School, Greater Lawrence Technical School and Central Catholic High School were awarded college scholarships.
These amazing youth all achieved academic high honors, along with being actively involved in sports teams, and volunteer work at the Greater Lawrence Boys and Girls club.
Please join us in congratulating Ronald Luciano, Brian Nanje, Dulce Galan, Sheylin Estrella, Ramiely Gil, Jonathan Peguero, Joel Javier, Shaina Estevez, Daniel Thu, Vallery Gomez, Liliana Rosario, Brianna Morel, Maribella Ortiz, Manuel Martis
2022 Steve Vano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Please join us in congratulating these amazing 12 individuals - Jalexa Abreu, Alenairam Castillo, Lia Delvalle, Dulce Galan, Ramiely Gil, Joel Javier, Ronald Luciano, Brian Nanje, Elvin Rosa, Maribella Ortiz, Jonathan Peguero, Manuel Sanchez.
These college students are continuing with their studies at a variety of universities including Providence College, Colgate University, UMass Lowell, Boston University, and Bentley University.
2021 Steve Vano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Please join us in congratulating Yankuel Ceballos, Ramiely Gil, Joel Javier, Ronald Luciano, Brian Nanje, Maribella Ortiz, Jonathan Peguero, Manuel Sanchez
These very deserving college students were awarded scholarhips in the memory of Steve to assist them in their continuing college expenses.
Watch the video of the awards!
2020 Steve Vano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Continuing in the memory of Steve, 7 scholarships were awarded to college upperclassmen to assist them in their continuing college expenses.
The universities these youth are attending include Bridgewater State University , Northern Essex Community College, Plymouth State University , Salem State University UMass-Dartmouth, and UMass-Lowell
Please join us in congratulating Iraidalis Cabrera , Emanuel Bernabel, Manuel Sanchez, Yankuel Ceballos, Anairis Caraballo, Bryanna Matias and Ashley Gonzalez.
Please consider donating to the West Parish College Scholarship Fund. Your generous contribution will ensure that that West Parish can award as many college scholarships as possible to the very deserving Greater Lawrence Boys and Girls Club youth. Thank you!
Previous
Scholarships Winners
2019 College Scholarship Recipients
Eight amazing high school graduates from Greater Lawrence Techncial School and Central Catholic High School were awarded college schloarships in June 2019.
Each individual has been actively involved in volunteer work, sports programs while maintaining very high GPAs. We wish them well as they start their college careers!
Please join us in congratulating Iraidalis Cabrera, Taylor Marrero, Zoe Marrero, John Omosefe, Zuleydy Perez, Andres Pichardo, Bioveranis Reyes and Marielis Rodriguez.
2019 Steve Vano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Ten scholarships were awarded in June 2019 to assist them in their continuing college expenses. While maintaining their GPA's in college, these youth continue to be involved in volunteer activities including AmeriCorps, Latinos Unidos, HUELLAS, Salem Boys and Girls Club, United Lation Society and many more!
The universities these youth are attending include Bridgewater State, Emmanuel College, Northern Essex Community College, Salem State, UMass-Lowell, UMass-Dartmouth, UMass-Amherst, and Worcester State.
Please join us in congratulating Anairis Caraballo, Yankuel Ceballos, Jailene Garcia, Ashley Gonzalez, Lidyanette Gonzalez, Brian Martinez, Maribel Mateo, Bryanna Matias, Sabrina Paulino and Yeraldo Rodriguez!
2018 College Scholarship Recipients
In May 2018, six high school graduates from Lawrence High School and Central Catholic High School were awarded college schloarships.
These amazing youth all achieved academic high honors, along with being actively involved in sports teams, and volunteer work at the Greater Lawrence Boys and Girls club.
Please join us in congratulating Lisbeth Carpio, Yankuel Ceballos, Lidyanette Gonzalez, Kiahvette Guzman, Edward Lundy and Jack Sullivan.
2018 Steve Vano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Continuing in the memory of Steve, 12 scholarships were awarded to college upperclassmen to assist them in their continuing college expenses.
The universities these youth are attending include Emmanuel College, Holy Cross, Fitchburg State, Nichols College, Saint Anselm, Salem State, UMass Amherst, UMass Dartmouth, and UMass Lowell.
Please join us in congratulating Nelselly Alsina, Anairis Caraballo, Jose Casado, Jailene Garcia, Ashley Gonzalez, Brian Martinez, Bryanna Matias, Selena Mercado, Sabrina Paulino, Yeraldo Rodriguez, Joaly Rosario, and Alexander Santos.
2017 College Scholarship Recipients
Four scholarships were awarded to high school graduates. The high school graduate recipients motivation, ambitiousness, determination and strength have carried them through to rise above hardships and to graduate.
These individuals included Gabriel Hamelin, Steven Tran, Nelselly Alsina and Crystian Adames.
2016 College Scholarship Recipients
The men's group was honored to give 12 scholarships this year to an amazing group of high school graduates.
The 2016 receipents included Meray Crespo, Latiny Ke, Jailene Garcia, Brian Martinez, Maribel Mateo, Selena Mercado, Ramon Montas, Sabrina Paulino, Jayleen Reyes, Rosa Reynoso, Michael Taveras and Amy Veloz.
2017 Steve Vano Memorial Scholarship Recipients
Steve was very passionate about helping kids not only as rising freshman - but also as upperclassmen as he recognized the financial needs of college often increase in successive years.
To honor Steve's memory, 8 scholarships were awarded to college upperclassmen.
These individuals were Selena Mercado, Maribel Mateo, Brian Martinez, Yeraldo Rodriguez, Alexander Santos, Jose Casado, Stanley Martinez and Alejandra Consuelo Torres. The universities these youth are attending include Nichols College, Worcester State, UMass-Darmouth, Bentley, and Salem State.
2015 College Scholarship Recipients
In 2015, six college scholarships were awarded. The recipients of these scholarships have persevered through many setbacks and have faced much adversity. Their motivation, ambitiousness, determination and strength have carried them through to rise above hardships and graduate.
It is with honor and pride that the 2015 receipents include Anairis, Joseph, Yeraldo, Alex, Erika, and David.
2014 College Scholarship Recipients
In the second year, the Men's Group awarded nine scholarships. Everyone who applied for the scholarship received one!
The incredible receipents in 2014 included Jose Casado, Edward Garcia, Julia Hernandez, Amalia Little, Erick Maldonado, Stanley Martinez, Solina Pascual, Arianny Rodriguez and Joaly Rosario.
2013 College Scholarship Recipients
Four highly motivated youth received the first West Parish College Scholarships in 2013!
These individuals included Alejandra Consuelo Torres, Briyith Betances, Joshua Torres and Julio Hernandez.
Each was extremely active in high school, maintaining excellent grades, participating and leading a number of clubs while also working part time. They went on to pursue their college careers at Framingham State, Fitchburg State, Merrimack College and University of Massachusetts at Lowell.
