Student scholarships and a pet parade: Education news

Portsmouth Herald
Updated ·3 min read

Portsmouth Rotary awards $54,000 in scholarships

The Rotary Club of Portsmouth, now celebrating its 100th Year, awarded 18, $3,000 scholarships totaling $54,000 to deserving area high school seniors.
The Rotary Club of Portsmouth, now celebrating its 100th Year, awarded 18, $3,000 scholarships totaling $54,000 to deserving area high school seniors.

PORTSMOUTH — The Rotary Club of Portsmouth, now celebrating its 100th year, awarded 18 scholarships for $3,000, totaling $54,000, to area high school seniors. The committee co-chaired by Tristan Shanley and Lindsey Reid, included Caitlin Burke, Cindi Shanley and Peter Muccia.

The following is a list of recipients:

Jacob Lovern, Frank Coviello, Ariana Incollingo, Annelise Campbell, Jeremiah Sihotang, Sophie Rand, Aizha Castellano, Jake Haley, Kyrie Johnson, Loreley Godfrey, Nicholas Tavares, Ava Sickler-Michaud, Samara Buck, Yazan Alhamdan, Lawton (Cole) Struble, Anna bella Haskell, Jackson Barnes, and Ava Caldwell.

Rochester's Gonic School hosts Pet Parade

Gonic School families brought a variety of pets to the inaugural Pet Parade.
Gonic School families brought a variety of pets to the inaugural Pet Parade.

ROCHESTER — A dogged effort by several of Gonic School's third-grade students paid off Monday, June 12 when the inaugural pet parade rolled by.

One of many family pets that made their way through the parade.
One of many family pets that made their way through the parade.

At the start of the school day, students lined the fence near the building to cheer passing cars filled with dogs, cats, guinea pigs and even a miniature horse. The parade also featured an appearance by Rochester Police K-9 Ripley and the Rochester Fire Department mascot, Marshall.

Rochester Fire Department mascot Marshall at the Gonic School Pet Parade.
Rochester Fire Department mascot Marshall at the Gonic School Pet Parade.

Before that could happen, though, students had to convince Principal Greg Brown it was a good idea. To do so, they worked with Reading Specialist Kate Snow to write persuasive essays — drafting and editing them over multiple sessions before presenting them to Brown.

Gonic School third graders (from left) Khloe, Will Bailey, Willow Pierce, Lucas Strydom, Delainy Robbins, and Molly MacDonald with Reading Specialist Kate Snow.
Gonic School third graders (from left) Khloe, Will Bailey, Willow Pierce, Lucas Strydom, Delainy Robbins, and Molly MacDonald with Reading Specialist Kate Snow.

While intrigued by the idea, Brown needed more convincing and so he challenged students to defend their stance in a debate-style presentation, after which he was convinced that Gonic School indeed needed to host a pet parade.

In all, 21 vehicles were decorated with posters sharing information about the approximately 30 family pets on display.

"The students did an excellent job writing and presenting persuasively, and the pet parade was a great event for our school community," Brown said. "I want to thank everyone who volunteered to take part, and I'm looking forward to seeing what idea our students come up with next."

Three Art Scholarships awarded at Traip Academy

The Marcia Abigail Ryder Art Scholarship Fund at the Kittery Art Association awarded three $1,000 scholarships to outstanding 2023 Traip Academy graduates: Izak Sweeney, Gracie Salema and Madeline Pitcairn, accompanied by Dean Gallant, KAA Board President, and Roger Cole, Scholarship Fund Supporter.
The Marcia Abigail Ryder Art Scholarship Fund at the Kittery Art Association awarded three $1,000 scholarships to outstanding 2023 Traip Academy graduates: Izak Sweeney, Gracie Salema and Madeline Pitcairn, accompanied by Dean Gallant, KAA Board President, and Roger Cole, Scholarship Fund Supporter.

KITTERY, Maine — The Marcia Abigail Ryder Art Scholarship Fund at the Kittery Art Association awarded three $1,000 scholarships to outstanding 2023 Traip Academy graduates: Izak Sweeney, Gracie Salema and Madeline Pitcairn, accompanied by Dean Gallant, KAA Board President, and Roger Cole, Scholarship Fund Supporter.

Award recipients represent a diverse range of creative pursuits: Sweeney is pursuing a multicurricular study in piano, creative writing and visual arts and will attend Southern Maine Community College. Salema approaches creativity through journaling and will attend Howard University. Pitcairn will carry her visual and musical interests forward to the University of Massachusetts.

Since 2008, the Ryder Scholarship Fund has granted over $40,000 to assist Kittery students in pursuing creative interests. The Fund is made possible by the art association and by generous private donors. Tax deductible donations to the Ryder Scholarship Fund ensure that KAA will continue to provide opportunities for Kittery’s students to explore their creativity. Visit kitteryartassociation.org or the KAA gallery and shop at 2 Walker St.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Student scholarships and a pet parade: Education news