By Sue Wambolt, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Members of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce (MRCC) gathered at Wayside Racquet and Swim Club June 6 for its Business After Hours annual scholarship presentation.
The MRCC, through the Marlborough Regional Community Foundation, Inc., awarded five $1,000 scholarships; Wayside Racquet and Swim Club awarded two scholarships totaling $1,500; and Hologic, Inc., awarded a single scholarship for $2,000. Marlborough-based Hologic, Inc., is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of diagnostic products, medical imaging systems, and surgical products, with an emphasis on serving women's healthcare needs.
“All students who applied had excellent credentials, and each year it is always a tough decision on selecting the winners,” said Darren McLaughlin, general manager of Wayside and chair of both the MRCC's Scholarship Committee and the School/Business Committee.
Besides McLaughlin, the Scholarship Committee also includes Jim Chaffee (Acupuncture & Herbal Health Care of Marlborough), Nancy Goedecke (Taxes and Money Management), Maria Reeves (Reeves Design Associates), Paula Moore (volunteer), Gail Lamere (volunteer) and Diana Wheeler (volunteer).
The event, sponsored by Hologic, Inc., and Dow Electronic Materials, kicked off with a barbecue and music performed by local jazz ensemble, Evan's Attic.
Prior to the award presentations, Alyssa Chamberlain sang the national anthem. Chamberlain, currently a freshman at Endicott College in Beverly, was a member of the Marlborough High School (MHS) a cappella choir and played the lead role in this year's MHS production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Chamber scholarship award winners:
Emily Rose Whapham – MHS- Boston College
Brandon Mattioli – MHS – University of Vermont
Alexander Rawley – Hudson High School- University of North Carolina
Kayla Nikosey – Advanced Math & Science Academy Charter School (AMSACS) – Bryant University
Katherine Finnegan – Marion High School – University of San Diego
Wayside Racquet Club scholarship award winners: (all MHS graduates)
Related Field of Study Scholarship: Sarah Purcell – Sacred Heart University (Exercise Science/ Doctorate of Physical Therapy)
Employee Scholarship: Robert Smith – Brigham Young University in Idaho (Computer Science)
Employee Scholarship: Kevin McLaughlin – Assumption College (Business)
Hologic, Inc., Giselle R. Rodriguez scholarship award winner:
Grace Pisano – MHS
Evan's Attic jazz ensemble also performed at the event. Members include:?Evan Syers?on tenor and soprano saxophone / junior, Notre Dame, engineering; Steve Wagner, trombone /freshman, UMASS Amherst, engineering; Kevin McLaughlin on trumpet /freshman, Assumption College, business; Andrew Luce on guitar / freshman, UMASS Lowell, engineering; Shaheen Fagen on bass guitar / junior, MHS; Colin Davis on piano/freshman, Northeastern University, engineering; and Joe Babcock on drums / freshman, Mass. Institute of Technology, engineering (salutatorian,? MHS Class of 2013).
While the Chamber of Commerce serves the needs of the area's businesses as well as the community at large, McLaughlin joined the organization to advocate for the youth of Marlborough. To this end, in 1995, Wayside Racquet and Swim Club hosted their first 5k Run/Walk for Fun to benefit Marlborough students.
“For the first ten years the Wayside Run/Walk for Fun benefited the Marlborough D.A.R.E. program. When the City cut the D.A.R.E. program from the budget, I was serving on the Scholarship Committee and it seemed like a perfect fit to keep the money with the kids and make the scholarship fund the beneficiary,” said McLaughlin.
In the last eight years the Run/Walk for Fun has raised just over $66,500 for the chamber's scholarship fund, which has enabled the chamber to increase their scholarships from four $500 scholarships to five $1,000 scholarships.
This year, the 2013 annual Wayside Run/Walk for Fun will take place at Wayside, 80 Broadmeadow Road, Wednesday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. A cookout will follow the race for all participants.
Pre-registration is $15. Forms can be completed online at www.firm-racing.com/events.asp.
Registration is $20 on race day.
For more information on obtaining scholarships, call McLaughlin at 508-481-1797.
Photos/Sue Wambolt