DANVERS — The family of late Danvers High teacher and Andover resident Colleen Ritzer says they have awarded a total of $77,000 this year in scholarships for students at Danvers and Andover high schools who are pursuing a degree in education or who have demonstrated kindness within their communities.
Supported by the annual “Step Up for Colleen” 5K walk/run, as well as private and organizational donations, students have been awarded nearly $600,000 from the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship over the past 10 years.
“We are inspired and honored to continue Colleen’s legacy through these scholarships, which support aspiring educators and those who share her passion for kindness,” said the Ritzer family.
“In the applications, we read stories of individuals who, in the classroom and community, embrace the principle of kindness or are preparing for a career of meaning as professional educators. We are confident this year’s recipients will positively impact their future students in the same way as Colleen.”
Five scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to Danvers High School graduates Lauren Ahearn, Timothy Bowler, Shannon Driscoll, Abigail Sher, and Molly Emery, all of whom are pursuing degrees in elementary, music, or general education at their respective colleges.
“The next four years of college will prepare me for my future as I will learn lessons about how everything is not as easy as it may seem while learning strategies to overcome these difficulties,” Driscoll said.
“This is why I plan to specialize in education. My highest priority is a school that will provide me with the strongest education in becoming a teacher, and I can’t wait to start.”
Five $2,000 scholarships were also awarded to Andover High graduates Liam Cleary, Cassandra Michael, Gabrielle Millien, Sarach Schwinn-Clanton, and Kendyl Walker.
“I expect the next four years to prepare me to be a strong teacher and have the classroom environment that I have always dreamed of,” Walker said. “At the end of the day, my students’ happiness, excitement, and engagement in the classroom are my number one priorities, and I’m excited to make my dream come true one day. As a teacher, I plan to be a role model for my students and make them excited to learn every day.”
The “Inspire Kindness” scholarships, which are awarded to students who have shown a commitment to spreading kindness, community service, and academic achievement, were awarded to Samantha Fay and Mia Delafano of Danvers High and Lily Brown of Andover High. Each student recipient was involved in a variety of nonprofit and community service projects including work with DECA, DanversCARES, Griffin’s Gift, The Brighten-A-Day Foundation, and others.
“In every aspect of my life, whether it’s at school, with friends, or in my community, I strive to embody kindness,” Delafano said. “It is what drives me forward and makes me who I am — a person committed to spreading positivity and making a difference in the lives of others.”
The Brian Feeney Scholarship, established within the Colleen Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor the memory of Feeney — a former board member of the Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Fund — was awarded this year to Andover High graduate Michaela Buckley.
“I want to major in political science to understand the inner workings of policy decisions, thus arming myself with the knowledge necessary to enact meaningful change within the American political system,” Buckley said.
“In intensive college courses that focus on human rights and political dynamics, I can delve into the policies that impact our most vulnerable populations and become a better advocate for marginalized communities. After college, I hope to do volunteer work abroad. Using these experiences, I want to become a human rights attorney to help others.”
The Ritzer family is also awarding $49,000 in additional scholarships to previous recipients who continue to pursue a degree in education with the goal of becoming a teacher.
“Our family is incredibly proud to help these future educators and humanitarians pursue their dreams and carry forward the values that Colleen cherished.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202