The Women’s College Scholarship Club participated in the Big Day in a Small Town at the Kate Mountain Park in Vermontville on Saturday, Aug. 14. Sue Alexander (left) sold many of her homemade cherry and strawberry rhubarb pies. Linda Beairsto sold raffle tickets for a basket with over $1,000 worth of gift certificates to local business. The more than $400 generated from the event will be used to award college scholarships to local high school graduates and adults continuing their education. (Photo provided)

SARANAC LAKE — The Women’s College Scholarship Club (WCSC) has been supporting the educational efforts of students for 82 years. Through a variety of fundraising efforts ranging from cookbooks and quilts to raffles and baked goods, women across the North Country region have volunteered their time and energy not only to support young women and men as they pursue their college studies, but they have also found ways to stimulate the thinking of the community on educational, civic and social topics at monthly meetings and other sponsored events. Across several decades, WCSC has distributed 230 scholarships, including 81 continuing education scholarships for non-traditional students, for a total of $216,765 as of early 2020.

This tradition of supporting education continues, with four Continuing Education recipients each receiving a $1,000 scholarship from the Women’s College Scholarship Club, for a total contribution of $4,000 to further education in the Saranac Lake community.

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High school winners

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The four Saranac Lake High School seniors’ scholarships are based not only on academic achievement, but also on community service, financial need and other factors. This year’s scholarships were awarded in loving memory of Hannah Marlow, a WCSC club member who passed away in April 2020. The 2021 winners are as follows:

Dellice Chase is the daughter of Diane and Tyler Chase of Bloomingdale. She will study International Relations at New York University. Dellice was involved in band, chorus, and the National Honor Society in high school, balanced with her community activities as the creator of the Bloomingdale Food Pantry, a volunteer with NYSEF and participating in special events at the Adirondack Carousel. She has worked at the Whiteface Lodge and Big Slide Brewery.

Adam Ellithorpe is the son of Veronica Ellithorpe and Benjym Ellithorpe of Saranac Lake and Lake Clear. He will study Electrical Construction and Maintenance at SUNY Canton. Adam was involved in the Building Trades program at BOCES during his junior and senior years of high school, following his participation in junior varsity soccer during his freshman and sophomore years. He has worked at the Belvedere Restaurant and Brown Dog Electric.

Tucker Jakobe is the son of Henry and Jesse Jakobe of Rainbow Lake. He will study Physics and Biochemistry at Middlebury College. Tucker was involved in varsity cross country, National Honor Society, and jazz band in high school, balanced with community activities like Boy Scouts of America and participation as a youth member of the Saranac Lake Climate Smart Communities Task Force. He has performed work like staining/painting, landscaping and gardening.

Kailey Kipping is the daughter of Kerry Kipping of Vermontville and Jacob Kipping of Saranac Lake. She will study Clinical Laboratory Science (Pre-med) at Stony Brook University. Kailey was involved in the National Honor Society, Women’s Ensemble and Trudeau Institute internship in high school, balanced with community activities like election poll worker, Bloomingdale Food Pantry and assistant dance teacher. She has worked as a camp counselor at the Vermontville Summer Program, as well as at the Saranac Waterfront Lodge and the Hotel Saranac.

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Continuing education winners

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The adult continuing education scholarships are given to students who are returning to academia to further their careers. The 2021 winners are as follows:

Holli Edgley of Vermontville is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She is enrolled in a family nurse practitioner program and looking forward to working as an FNP locally after graduation.

Shauna Fliss of Saranac Lake is studying a Master of Science in Natural Resources Conservation in Forest Resource Management at Paul Smith’s College. She plans to pursue a career in the state Department of Environmental Conservation upon graduation.

Kathryn Pasternak of Saranac Lake is studying Nursing at North Country Community College. She currently works at Workshop in Lake Placid and plans to pursue a career as a midwife following graduation.

Jazen Reuss of Saranac Lake is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts with a concentration in Ceramics at SUNY Potsdam. Her career goal is to continue to grow her business, DirtNap Ceramics, and teach studio classes.

Women’s College Scholarship Club members wished the students success in their educational pursuits.

Club members also thanked the many businesses and individuals who supported the WCSC’s fundraising efforts, which make these scholarships possible.

New members and donations are always welcome. For more information, call 518-637-9575 or send donations to P.O Box 343, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.