Pictured are the six St. Jean's Charitable Foundation Scholarship Winners

The St. Jean’s Credit Union Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 College Scholarship Program. As an advocate for continued education, the Foundation Board of Trustees awarded six (6) scholarships in the amount of $1000 to high school seniors who are members of St. Jean’s Credit Union or have a parent or guardian who is a member. Recipients must also be enrolled in an undergraduate college degree program during the 2024 – 2025 academic year.

Winners were selected based on academic achievement, community service and a typewritten essay.

The St. Jean’s Credit Union Charitable Foundation awarded $1000 to six (6) students in our field of membership.

Matthew McDougall, a graduate of Newburyport High School, was awarded a scholarship. Matthew carried three (3) Advanced Placement Classes and one (1) Honors class. While he was constantly reminded by his parents to “Just do it,” Matthew was shy and a bit scared to try new things, leading to his biggest regret of not joining the high school football team until his junior year. He recalls stating at the end of his senior year football party, “I wish I had joined the team sooner, then I wouldn’t be wondering if things would be different today.” Matthew would tell his freshman self to trust his parents and listen to their advice. If he had, maybe he wouldn’t wonder “what if.” “Just do it.” Matthew will be attending Pennsylvania State University in the fall.

Lindth Radley Valsote, a graduate of Salem Academy Charter School was awarded a scholarship for his outstanding academic performance. His involvement with international organizations is long and has brought him much pride. A member of the National Security Language Initiative for youth study abroad for South Korea programs, and a member of the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (BKP) organization, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote literacy in poverty-stricken areas of the Philippines. Lindth is also a member of the National Honor Society, National Computer Science Honor Society while participating in several varsity sports. His advice to his freshman self would be to embrace every opportunity with an open mind and fearless heart. He states, “Trust in your abilities and believe in yourself.” Lindth was accepted at Boston College, Boston University, John Hopkins University, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and University of Massachusetts, Lowell.

Joel Maggs, a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Lynn reflects on his four (4) years of High School wondering where the time went. Throughout his high school career, Joel was part of the St. Mary’s High School (SMH) Scholars Program, a member of the football team, a seventh (7th) grade math tutor and a community volunteer. Joel was also an honors student. One thing he would tell his freshman self is “Stop worrying so much, it’s going to be okay.” He also reflects on his friendships made during his high school years. Joel feels that friendships are important and that it is okay to be different than everyone else, it makes you who you are. In the end, “Everyone has their own path and that’s why I would just tell my freshman self to “be yourself, and you’ll be okay.”” Joel is a Scholarship recipient and will attend Western New England College in the fall.

Anthony Smart, an Honors student at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers, MA carrying four (4) Advanced Placement classes, one (1) Honors class and (2) Accelerated classes his senior year. He was President of the Civic Debate Club, a National Honor Society (NHS) tutor for middle school and high school students while remaining an active member of the community. Anthony would give many words of encouragement to his younger self, but first and foremost he would tell himself to never give up no matter how hard the workload. He learned that it is important to know how to implement a healthy work-life balance and that skills like time management are “consequential” to manage things in life. Anthony would tell his younger self, “Enjoy the moment. A person only experiences high school once, and it is important to make the most out of your opportunities.” He feels that high school is an important step in life and a time that can shape a person forever. As a scholarship recipient, Anthony will attend Bentley University in the fall.

Rachel Dana, of Lynn Classical School graduated number nine (9) out of three hundred twenty-two (322) students. She is a 2024 North Shore Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholar, a two (2) year National Honor Society member, and attained high honors in US History, Computer Science, Literature, US Government, Psychology and Statistics, and was a four (4) year varsity athlete. Rachel would advise her freshman self to join clubs or sports, especially in the winter. It helps pass the time in the cold season and helps create even more memories and friendships. Rachel emphasizes that she wishes she had enjoyed the people she met along the way. Four years of high school flew by, and she would recommend to her freshman self that while the past is simply that, the past, but to take the time enjoy the present because it is worth every minute. As the fifth (5th) scholarship recipient, Rachel will attend the University of Massachusetts, Boston in the fall.

Our sixth scholarship recipient, Gianna Scoppettuolo graduated number eighteen (18) out of a graduating class of just under 300 graduates at Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School (Northeast Metro Tech.) A senior captain of the girl’s ice hockey team while studying health assisting career technical program. Gianna wrote her essay on goals accomplished during her four years of high school, and she had a lot to write about! When she entered freshman year at Northeast Metro Tech, there was only a boys hockey team. She tried out for the team and was awarded a position. This posed challenges for her as the play was very different to the environment. During her years at Northeast Metro Tech, she advocated with her school’s administration and the Wakefield girl’s hockey team, to create a co-op that will allow girls attending northeast Metro Tech to play on the Wakefield team. Accomplishing this merger has given Gianna the confidence to advocate for herself as well as others. Her goal in college is to obtain a nursing degree. Gianna will attend Salem State University this fall as a nursing student.