Since 2001, University Mall has awarded local students over $275,000 in scholarships courtesy of owners Bill Finard, Todd Finard, and Rob Hughes of Finard Properties LLC. Five area high school seniors will each soon receive $5,000 toward their first year of college. University Mall’s Scholarship of Excellence is designed to be awarded to students who embody excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. The recipients and their families will attend a luncheon and awards ceremony held at the Mall on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 12 Noon. University Mall is Vermont’s largest enclosed shopping center with over seventy shops and services and is managed by Finard Properties, LLC of Burlington, MA. This year’s five recipients represent a broad geographic cross-section of our communities:
NELL DAVIS, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Davis, is a senior at U-32 High School in Montpelier, VT. She is recognized for volunteer work at several local Vermont farms as well as her impact on student life as a representative to the school board of directors. Nell is a strong student athlete who has developed a reputation for being a ‘quiet leader’ in many of the environments she devotes to. Nell plans to attend Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
SIERRA FRISBIE is the daughter of Michael and Sylvie Frisbie of Williston, Vermont. Sierra is recognized for her environmental activism at Champlain Valley Union HighSchool as well as her support of organizations such as Volunteer Vermont, the Vermont Special Olympics, and the Vermont Youth Environmental Council. Sierra plans to attend Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
JESSIE GAY, daughter of William Gay and Barbara Tomasi-Gay, is a senior at Montpelier High School. Jessie has inspired herself and others through her dedicated volunteer work as an elementary school mentor, an elderly neighbor mentor, leader of her local soup kitchen, and her work with an intergenerational project. In recognition of outstanding leadership qualities and academic promise, Jessie received the Clarkson University High School Leadership Award in 2010. Jessie plans to attend Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
CLARE MURPHY, daughter of Brian and Laura Murphy, currently attends Essex High School and is recognized for her recent service with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, the Human Trafficking Awareness Project, and her church youth group. Clare possesses a diplomatic and encouraging leadership style that she puts to good use in the dozens of activities she involves herself in and organizations for whom she volunteers her time. Clare plans to attend Georgetown University; Walsh School of Foreign Service in Washington D.C.
PHOEBE COOK, daughter of Cynthia Cook of Adamant, Vermont is currently a senior at U-32 High School. Phoebe has earned awards for excellence in writing, public speaking and debating as well as tutoring and mentoring. She has devoted countless hours to volunteering at the Adamant Co-op as well as at her school’s Math White Table, a resource for other students to go for extra assistance with math. Phoebe plans to attend Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
