Scholarship

Roseanne Bruno 2023-2026
Paula Bzdula 2023-2026
Sue McDermott 2023-2026

Scholarship is a Standing Committee, that is, a permanent committee appointed to deal with a specified subject. The Committee shall report to the Board at least once annually. [Article VII, Section 5.]

The Scholarship Committee shall consist of three members, each of whom shall serve three years. One member shall be retired annually after school graduation and replaced by a newly elected member. The senior member in terms of service shall become Chairman. [Bylaws Article VII, Section 6]

The Manchester Woman’s Club awards two scholarships each spring.
All candidates must have been students at Manchester-Essex Regional High School for a full four years and have been accepted at an accredited four-year college or university.
Applicants for consideration must be ranked in the top third of their graduating class.
Close contact with the Guidance Department of the high school is essential.
Nathan B. Sargent Scholarship is based on character, scholarship, personality, good citizenship and need.
Alice Forbes Perkins Hooper Scholarship is also based on character, scholarship, personality, good citizenship and need. Additionally, the qualifying candidate must intend to pursue a career in nursing, medicine, or an allied health field.
Checks are written after the first semester of college is successfully completed and the Club Treasurer has received the student’s transcript.

Revised December 29, 2023

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE INSTRUCTIONS AND TIMELINE

Manchester Essex Regional High School Contact(s)
Department of Guidance and College Counseling / 978-526-7641, ext. 7; fax 978-526-2044
Laurie Carlson, Administrative Assistant -- carlsonl@mersd.org
Samantha Pindara, Director – pindaras@mersd.org

January/February -- Manchester Woman’s Club (MWC) Scholarship Committee members need to review our two scholarship descriptions and if they are revised, send revised version to the Guidance Department's Administrative Assistant by a date in February that the Department will designate. [Committee members – please note that the following Sargent description was revised in October 2023.]

The Nathan B. Sargent Scholarship from the Manchester Woman’s Club

The Manchester Woman’s Club this year is awarding two scholarships. The first is known as the Nathan B. Sargent Scholarship in honor of an ex-principal of Story High School and composer of the Manchester Hymn. This award is based on character, scholarship, personality, and good citizenship.

The Alice Forbes Perkins Hooper Scholarship from the Manchester Woman’s Club

The second scholarship awarded by the Manchester Woman’s Club is the Alice Forbes Perkins Hooper Scholarship. It is based on scholarship, character, personality, and good citizenship with preference given to a student with interest in pursuing a career in the medical field.

[There is a note in the Committee’s paperwork dated 2017-2018 from Ambia Smith stating that the . . . “Alice Forbes Perkins Hooper Scholarship has reinstituted its original requirement of candidate’s perusal of a career in health-related field. This can expand to biology, bioengineering, etc.”]

April – The school emails the Club’s Scholarship Contact and Committee Members a link to the chosen applications. These applications are for seniors in the top third of their class who are headed for graduation in June.

MWC Scholarship Committee members review the applications and work independently to pick two (2) recipients.

Scholarship Committee consults with Special Gifts Committee and Treasurer for the monies available to award for each scholarship. Scholarship Committee then informs Executive Board in time for their April meeting, and a decision is made and voted on by all members at their April meeting as to the amount of each scholarship.

April/May – Scholarship Committee writes a letter to the HS Guidance Department stating two scholarships in the amount of $___________ each have been awarded to: recipient’s name and scholarship. Awards are announced by HS in May.

June/July – After High School graduation ceremonies are completed, the Committee writes a year-end report to be filed with Club that includes steps taken to determine final recipients and contact(s) at the High School, scholarship winners for each award and amount of each award. Copies of the report to be filed with the Club President and Recording Secretary.

January [following award] -- Confirming letters with monies awarded are sent to each recipient after college transcripts are submitted to Club Treasurer for successfully completing 1st semester. Transcripts can be sent digitally to Club Treasurer, judy.delrosario131@gmail.com or snail mail, Manchester Woman’s Club, Attention: Treasurer, P. O. Box 11, Manchester, MA 01944.

A letter from the Club’s Treasurer to each of the two recipients could state in part – “Congratulations on completing your first semester in college. Enclosed you will find a check in the amount of $____________ . . . “

Revised October 17, 2023