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Ritzer Family Announces 2017 Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Recipients from Andover

Andover High School Colleen Ritzer Scholarship Recipients

ANDOVER, Massachusetts – The parents and siblings of Colleen E. Ritzer, Tom, Peggie, Dan and Laura, announced the 2017 recipients of a scholarship in Colleen’s name, which are awarded to graduating high school seniors who will pursue education as a major in college to carry on Colleen’s legacy as a caring and compassionate teacher. This year, the family will award a total of $53,000 in Colleen. E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarships, including $18,000 to 2017 graduating seniors and $35,000 to previous years’ recipients. Since 2014, $138,000 in college scholarships have been awarded to future teachers.

The 2017 scholarship recipients from Andover include Grayson Beherrell, Caileigh Reming, Samantha Shea and Michaela Verrette. Danvers recipients will be announced later this week.

The scholarship fund is supported by individual donations that were made in the wake of Colleen’s passing in October 2013 as well as the Step Up for Colleen 5K and other tribute events held to honor Colleen’s memory. The scholarship fund is a permanent tribute to Colleen and builds upon her legacy by helping future teachers obtain a college degree so that they, too, can share their passion for teaching with future students.

“The recipients of Colleen’s scholarship continue to amaze us with their passion for teaching and who seek to make a difference in the lives of their future students,” said the Ritzer Family. “Through the scholarship fund, we are able to ensure that the light of Colleen’s legacy will never be extinguished. We are grateful to the many individuals and organizations who continue to support the fund, as they will always play a significant role in allowing the scholarship recipients to pursue their goals to become caring and compassionate teachers.”

Applicants were required to complete an application that requested information such as extra-curricular activities, awards and recognitions and plans for college. They were also asked to submit a 500-word essay describing why they plan to pursue a degree in education and what, or who, inspired them to do so. The last piece of the application encouraged applicants to reflect on words shared by Colleen in her college essay in which she wrote:

“Teachers have been an inspiration to me ever since I was just a young girl. Starting in pre-school, I knew I loved helping the teachers and would one day want to be just like them. My dream is to become a teacher, one who shapes the minds and lives of children. My goal has always been to become a teacher that will impact students’ lives.”

Eligible applicants must be Andover or Danvers High School seniors who plan to pursue a degree in the field of education at an accredited four-year college or university. Guidance counselors encouraged well-rounded students who plan to major in education or a specific subject (i.e. math, science, etc.) with a concentration in education to apply for a competitive scholarship.

Applications that met eligibility requirements were reviewed by a selection committee comprised of family members and educators including: Tom Ritzer, Colleen’s Dad; Peggie Ritzer, Colleen’s Mom; Susan Craig, Colleen’s Aunt; Todd Butterworth and Sarah Giaquinta, Danvers High School Math Teachers; Kimberly Bergey, Andover High School Guidance Counselor; and Kimberly Rocha, Nashoba Regional High School English Teacher.

ANDOVER HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Grayson Beherrell will attend Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts this fall where she plans to pursue a degree in elementary education and special education. During her four years at Andover High School, Beherrell was a member of the Red Cross Club and Sophomore Board; volunteered at Lazarus House; danced at the North Reading School of Ballet; worked at the YMCA Camp of Maine as a leader in training and program assistant; and dedicated time each week to care for a special needs child.

“Simply put, the world needs more Grayson Beherrell’s. She exudes kindness and cares deeply about others” stated her guidance counselor. “Grayson is as selfless as they come. Andover High School is often a ‘pressure cooker’ type of environment and Grayson’s calming presence puts people at ease. She will undoubtedly spread compassion and acceptance.” Beherrell worked with adaptive students in the physical education setting, inspiring her to pursue a career in education.

“During that semester, I learned the little important things about each of the students and created a relationship with them that I treasured,” wrote Beherrell in her essay. “A few months into the semester and I can see how far they have come in such a short time. It gives me a sense of success that I was able to be part of that progress! In my career, whether in a classroom with elementary students or adaptive students, I will be able to help them all learn, grow and become kind independent individuals.”

Attending the University of New Hampshire this fall, Caileigh Reming plans to pursue a degree in human development and family studies with aspirations to become a special education teacher at the elementary school level. In high school, Reming demonstrated many leadership roles including: assisting children at Frost Elementary School in Lawrence; participating as a student-athlete representative in Warrior Way; field hockey and lacrosse captain; coach and counselor at Hooptown; serving as an assistant helper at Oliver Partnership School; and as an Andover Youth Services youth lacrosse coach.

From a young age Caileigh wanted to be a teacher. “I had a teaching room set up in my play room and would have a white board and work sheets that I would hand out to my imaginary kids,” she wrote in her application essay.

“What inspired me to be interested in teaching, specifically special education, is as a kid I was placed on an IEP with a communication disorder and needing improvement in reading comprehension. When I was younger and going to separate rooms for extra help, I was always embarrassed and would be asked by other kids why I was going to another room,” Reming added. “As much as I hated going into a separate room and getting extra help, I simply would not be the person I am today. All the teachers who helped me have inspired me to become what they are,” she continued.

Samantha Shea will attend Assumption College, where she hopes to pursue a career in elementary education or special education. While at Andover High School, Shea took part in many extracurricular activities including: Andover Middle School Track assistant coach; student-athlete representative of the Warrior Way Program; Vacation Bible School counselor; Indoor and Fall Field Hockey Youth assistant coach; and a field hockey and track team member.

Shea’s guidance counselor spoke highly of her sharing, “Her energy and spirit and intelligence have made her a great coach and will make her a great educator in the future. Sammy is comfortable in her own skin and possesses an optimal blend of confidence and humility.”

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember, mostly because I love children,” wrote Shea. “As an elementary school teacher, I want to be able to help students identify and accept their learning styles early to help them avoid self-doubt and learn to advocate for themselves,” Shea explained in her scholarship essay. “I want them to understand that everyone learns differently, and that there isn’t one right way.”

At Plymouth State University, Michaela Verrette will major in elementary education with the hope of developing key tools for connecting with students and gaining their trust. Verrette had a number of responsibilities during her four years at Andover High School through caring for her mother who was seriously ill; performing in the Show Choir, as Vice President for two years; waitressing; serving as a substitute teacher at Bright Horizons; and as a peer mentor who assisted with intellectually challenged children.

Verrette is described as “self-driven, highly motivated, compassionate, musical and simply one of the nicest students I know” by her guidance counselor.

“Mrs. Stone was my second-grade teacher and I aspire to be her. Every single day of second grade began with smiles and laughter,” explained Verrette. “My students will know that their teacher cares about them. I will teach them the academics but I will teach them life lessons as well. My students will know that there is someone who will always be there for them and care for them. Being an elementary educator will allow me to begin to shape the lives of our future generations.”

The Colleen E. Ritzer Memorial Scholarship Fund is held at the Essex County Community Foundation.