EDUCATION SUCCESS
At the heart of improving the quality of life for those in our region is creating strong educational programs and opportunities. From early literacy to college scholarships and services to ongoing professional development, the need is extensive. Here are highlights from 2021:
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTIONS
GEORGE C. DECAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In May, we held a virtual awards reception for the Jacobs Family New Bedford High Schools Scholarships which awarded $175,000 to five New Bedford students: Addylene Darosa Semedo, Annie Lin, and Linh Dan Nguyen from New Bedford High School; Jocelyn Kingman from Global Learning Charter Public School, and Moriah Markman from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.
William C. Decas established a new scholarship fund in memory of his late brother, Attorney George C. Decas. The George C. Decas Scholarship Fund will provide awards to graduating high school seniors residing in Wareham, Massachusetts. Awards of $20,000 will be made annually starting in 2022 during the Community Foundation scholarship season and can support recipients over four years. This new fund joins an additional Decas fund with the Community Foundation, the Georgia and Constantine Decas Family Scholarship Fund, established by William and his sister, Katharina Decas, in 2020. The Decas family is an exemplary model of what it means to give back and we are humbled to help them with their philanthropic goals in supporting the educational dreams of Wareham students.
In July, local students gathered at the Buttonwood Park Zoo for the SouthCoast Community Foundation scholarship reception to receive their awards totaling $547,255. Eighty-four recipients were chosen from a pool of more than 600 high school seniors and college students from throughout the region, representing 24 different educational institutions.
“George, sister Katharina, and I were all raised and educated in Wareham. We were fortunate that our parents could afford to send us to college, but we know that many are not in the same position. We are so pleased to have the help of the Community Foundation to honor our parents and our late brother George in this way, providing well-earned financial support to the youth of Wareham.” WILLIAM DECAS FINGER ON THE PULSE / SOUTHCOAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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