Scholarships Support Students’ Academic Pursuits in Arts and Sciences

BY STACEY BOMSER

HIGHER EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE.

Fortunately, several of the cultural and civic organizations in Weston are helping alleviate some of that financial burden through their scholarship programs.

The Weston Music Society is privileged to present financial scholarships to Weston-area performing arts students wishing to continue studying music and/or theater in college, while the American Association of University Women – Weston Branch awards scholarships to female students entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field.

Advancing Music Education

Thirteen 2023 graduates from Cypress Bay High School and Western High School plan to continue their music education this fall thanks to the Weston Music Society Scholarship Program. Through a matching initiative between the Weston Music Society (WMS) and generous benefactors, financial scholarships allow Weston’s talented young musicians and thespians to pursue their passions in performance, music education, and the music industry. Sixty-five scholarships have been awarded over the past six years.

Teachers from the band, chorus, and drama departments at each school nominated deserving students. Members of the Weston Music Society Scholarship Committee were then challenged with selecting scholarship recipients from the highly talented pool of nominees.

“Listening to the students’ recordings and reading through their essays were both delightful and humbling moments,” shared Stephanie Bescherelle, WMS board member and scholarship program coordinator. “These talented artists have so much to give.”

Congratulations to Gianna Gomez, Adrian Graff, Connor Lirio, Sophia Marrero, Lauren Naccarato, Santiago Rios, and Daniela Pafumi from Cypress Bay High School and Darragh Geraghty, Nelson Bernal, Sol Cristano-Ojeda, Carolina Nadorfy, Liam Friend, and Ciara Ponce from Western High School.

Connor Lirio, a tenor/baritone who plans to continue choral studies at the University of Hartford, says he is grateful for the scholarship. “I am blessed to live in a community that values the arts and to have a society that will fund and care for the future generations of those involved in music to continue to show and educate and provide for others in this endless cycle.”

Beyond presenting scholarships, the WMS is committed to supporting music education and enrichment within the Weston schools through its In-Schools Program and bringing fine music of all genres to the community, including the upcoming Summer Pops Concert.

Supporting Women in STEM

As part of its mission to empower women and girls, the Weston branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) presented scholarships to eight Broward County students who are planning to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“The realization that women are underrepresented in STEM careers has prompted AAUW and its branches, including the Weston branch, to encourage and reward young women to pursue STEM careers,” said Dr. Kamala Anandam, AAUW Weston president.

The STEM Awards Presentation was well attended with distinguished AAUW members, Weston city commissioners, and representatives from local businesses sharing the honor of introducing the scholarship recipients and presenting their certificates and checks.

Two Cypress Bay High School graduates were among the recipients. Congratulations to Victoria Capparelli, who will attend the University of Florida, and Sahana Thayagabalu, who will attend Harvard University.

For more than 15 years, the AAUW Weston Branch has been committed to recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of women and girls and helping train and support women and girls to achieve their full potential.

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4448 Weston Rd, Davie, FL 33331 crumbl.com

2023

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