NASHUA – At their recent 18th annual Scholarship Dinner, officials with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua awarded scholarships totaling $50,800 to current members and alumni.

The Scholarship Program is an opportunity to celebrate club members’ academic achievements and their desire to continue their educations, despite the challenges they may face.

“I’ve been involved with the club for over 50 years and in that time, I’ve learned the importance of a good education. I know if I didn’t have my education, I wouldn’t be here today. I think it’s an important thing to have in anyone’s life, so I want to make sure everyone is able to get one, especially those who can’t afford it,” scholarship donor Dr. Robert Moheban said.

Many of the members and alumni receiving scholarships are first generation college students who would otherwise be unable to afford higher education or vocational training courses. Committed to making their education and career goals a reality, private donors invest in the scholarship program annually or create endowed scholarship funds within the club’s foundation. The aim of the scholarships is to help make higher education and trade school more accessible and the path to reaching goals more attainable.

“While interacting with the club members, we recognized how they have such a positive outlook, no matter what their situation might be, and seeing that, we couldn’t wait to see how they’d progress,” scholarship donors Cynthia Herweck and Dennis Giampietro offered. “That’s why we made sure the scholarship wasn’t just a freshman entry scholarship, but one that could be applied to all phases of education.”

The complete list of donors and awarded scholarships included: The 520 Charitable Foundation Scholarship, A Friend of the Club Scholarship, The Gupta Family Scholarship, LeDoux Family Scholarship, The Live Like Pat Scholarship, The Janice and Fernand Martin Scholarship, The Ma Family Scholarship, The Magnano Family Scholarship, The Moheban Family Scholarship, The NBT Bank Scholarship, The Reyes Family Scholarship, The Roedel Family Scholarship, and the Thomas Woodward Scholarship.

Throughout the dinner, scholarship donors in attendance intermingled with the recipients of their scholarship funds over a dinner prepared by club Food Services Director Jasmine Torres. Many of the recipients discussed plans for the future and the impact the scholarships will have for them as they reach for their educational goals.

“It’s definitely a pleasure to receive a scholarship and an honor to be chosen,” said scholarship recipient Mary Kiangonyo who is currently working on her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Veterinary Technology at Tarleton State University in Texas. “It’s a great feeling to know someone’s invested in your efforts, so I look forward to pursuing my career goal of becoming a veterinarian and giving back in that way.”

“Not coming from a financially stable home, this scholarship is going to help a lot. I can’t wait to start studying Pre-Law at York College in Pennsylvania,” recipient Alison McKenzie said.

Isaac Tesfay is now director of Diversity, Inclusion, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity at Worcester University. As an alumnus of the club, he offered an inspirational speech about his own journey to success.

“Education is the great equalizer and the pathway to success, preparing individuals to become engaged citizens,” Tesfay said. “With great commitment, dedication and support, you can be a leader in your schools and community. I am confident in your abilities and wish you all great success.”

Club alumni members who received scholarships include Janail Archer, Samantha Archer, Olimpia Carias, Magdala Content, Nathaly Davis, Brayan Del Rao Castillo, Kristyna DiBona, Julie Dube, Desiree Frechette, Adam Gagnon, Maureen Gichura, Slyvia Gitonga, Samatha Goy, Mary Kiangonyo, Alison McKenzie, Sierra Mullin, Brendan Parr, Meaghan Turcotte and Katrina Wilson.

Also receiving scholarships upon graduation were current club members and Youth of the Month winners Allen Godfroy, Flossie Kimugu, Stephen Larkin, Shernette McIntosh, Joerel Nieves, Sorelle Nyantenji, Johnnie Peebles, Sophia Peebles, Mario Rodriquez-Santos, Simon Tuyisenge, Trinity Unthank, and Branson Walker.

“When I think of the impact these scholarship will have on the future lives of this year’s recipients, I’m brought back to quote by Nelson Mandela who said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ To each of the donors here tonight and to those who could not be with us, we offer our deep gratitude for your investment in helping our youth change the world,” club CEO Norman Bouthilette said.

For information about supporting the club’s scholarship opportunities or to apply for scholarship support, contact Chief Development Officer Sally Stanton at 883-0523, ext. 211 or sstanton@bgcn.com.