To the editor:

The Saranac Lake Women’s Civic Chamber is proud to announce the results of their annual Senior Scholarship and the Eighth Grade Essay Contest. The Scholarship Selection Committee would also like to recognize the WCC membership, who despite COVID-19 safety protocols continues to address the needs of the community. Though not ideal, we have enjoyed collaborating via email and in numerous Zoom meetings over the past three months.

Many worthy individuals submitted applications for this year’s $750 Senior Scholarship. The committee ultimately chose William Reiley, a remarkable young man and committed volunteer in our community whose ongoing service work began in the eighth grade. William volunteers at the Adirondack Medical Center, Adirondack Youth Climate Summit, Key Club and the Learn to Skate program. We wish William well in college as he pursues a career in the medical field.

The Eighth Grade Essay Contest was conducted a little differently this year, as was everything due to COVID-19. Instead of being an assigned essay, students were encouraged to voluntarily write about their experiences during the weeks of social isolating. We received nine wonderful, well-thought-out essays. After a couple of Zoom meetings, we finally came to an agreement on the top three winners. First place ($50) was awarded to Emma Pickard. Second place ($30) went to Sabine Deckenberger, and third place ($20) was awarded to Katherine Ransom. However, the committee was so impressed with all of the essays received, they decided to award honorable mentions to the remaining six participants. A donation was made in memory of Victoria Whittemore and Valentina “Tina” Scammel, recently departed mothers of committee members, Meachele Manchester and Liz Murray, respectively. This enabled gift certificates for $15 to be purchased from the Village Mercantile, which were awarded to Arden Calhoun, Kylee Meyer, Michaela Gillis, Sadie Blanchard, Sage Kite Whidden and Victoria Bice. Congratulations to all of these fine students whose writing demonstrated maturity and incredible introspection. The WCC congratulates all of our winners and looks forward to watching their growth and celebrating their accomplishments as they move to high school and beyond.

Sincerely,

Women’s Civic Chamber Scholarship Committee:

LIz Murray

Meachele Manchester

Elle Finocan

Beth Hall

Carol Baker

Marilyn Bigelow

Saranac Lake