Established in 1853 by people with ties to Waltham Public Schools Employees
Robert A. Connors 10/24 Memorial Scholarship
The Robert A. Connors 10/24 Memorial Scholarship, established in 1999, honors and keeps alive the memory of a beloved Waltham teacher and coach. 10 and 24 were Bob's jersey numbers as a standout athlete in football and basketball at WHS and Northeastern. Bob's philosophy was simple: Work Hard, Play Together, Laugh Often.
Clara Abbott Scholarship
Clara Abbott graduated from the Normal School in Newton and taught in Newton, Waltham, and Waverly. She was one of the original cofounders of the Leland Home and a member of the Waltham Women's Club. She died in November, 1911.
Judy Baginsky Papachristos Memorial Award
Judy Baginsky Papachristos was a beloved WHS special education teacher. After her untimely death from cancer, her parents and husband established the scholarship to help a student become a special educator or to assist a special education student in pursuing further education and training.
Gerard J. and Mary T. Belliveau Memorial Scholarship
Gerard Belliveau was a teacher and headmaster at WHS from 1957-1974. He directed the Senior Play and Talent Shows and taught Drivers' Ed. Mary Belliveau taught at South Junior and then became a guidance counselor at North Junior where she retired in 1982 after 25 years in the WPS.
The Domenic and Eleanor Bonica Pacitti Scholarship
The Domenic and Eleanor Bonica Pacitti Scholarship is awarded to a WHS graduate planning to major in world languages or education or psychology/social work. Eleanor taught French, Italian, Spanish and ESL for 17 years at Waltham High School prior to her death in 1984. Her husband Domenic never finished high school, but so highly valued education and encouraged his children to pursue graduate work. His children, Regina, herself an English teacher and Adjustment Counselor for nearly 35 years in the Waltham Public Schools, and Dr. Anthony Pacitti, a general surgeon, added their dad's name to the fund when he died in 2016.
Theresa Brassil Scholarship of the Fitzgerald School
Theresa Brassil was the first principal of the Fitzgerald School (known at that time as the Warrendale School). She came from central Massachusetts.
Coach Walter Brinn Memorial Scholarship
Waltham native, nine-letterman at WHS, University of Illinois graduate, Walter E. Brinn coached WHS hockey from 1933-1976. He devised and chaired the first state hockey tournament. A dedicated educator, he guided scores of icemen to continue their education. In 2007, the Veterans' Memorial Rink lobby was named in his honor.
Buttrick – Hodge Scholarship Fund
Francis Buttrick was a carpenter who established the Waltham Public Library which was originally named the Buttrick Library. Alfred Tennyson Hodge was a legendary teacher at Waltham High School who died at the age of 90 in September, 1977.
James J. Cannon Memorial Scholarship Foundation for Education
James Cannon was a teacher, assistant principal, assistant and deputy superintendent of the WPS. Jim had a sense of total commitment to his family, friends, students, colleagues, community, and profession. That total commitment, coupled with his ability to make a difference, was the real essence of "Jim the Educator.”
Marjorie Cleaves Memorial Scholarship
Marjorie Cleaves was a junior high music teacher for over 40 years with perfect attendance! She always wore purple, owned homes on Waltham's Southside, and was very generous toward her students. This scholarship was established in 1983 by her sister, Flora for students demonstrating academic excellence and pursuing a liberal arts education.
John E. Cronin Scholarship
John E. Cronin, a life-long resident of Waltham, graduated from WHS and earned his degree in Education from B.U. The first principal of the MacArthur School, he served proudly from 1956 until his retirement in 1996. Mr. Cronin believed that teaching is a rewarding and honorable profession, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
Mary DiRico Scholarship
Mary was a long time Waltham resident who served as a traffic supervisor for schools and then became a secretary in the Waltham Public Schools business office. She lost her three-year battle to ovarian cancer on September 21, 2010. The way Mary lived her life was an inspiration to us all; she never complained and was always doing more for others than herself. We will miss her dearly.
Dr. Drew M. Echelson Scholarship
Growing up in Connecticut, Dr. Echelson was the first, and only, person in his immediate family to attend college. Dr. Echelson became a teacher and then a principal. He considered it a great honor to give back to his community in these roles. He later pursued a master's and doctoral degree in the Urban Superintendents Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Since July 2015, Dr. Echelson has served as Superintendent of Schools in Waltham. He is honored to grant this scholarship to a deserving WHS student(s) who has a demonstrated track record of student leadership and who will have a positive impact on his/her college campus. It is important that this student(s) always demonstrate the values instilled within him/her from his/her Waltham education.
Al Garnache Memorial Scholarship
Al Garnache was an Art teacher in the WPS for 31 years. He never stopped seeking new ways to help students succeed. His interests were many: art, technology, military history, the New England Patriots, kayaking, traveling, writing, and his dog. Al was funny, kind, a lifelong learner, and a good friend.
Sarah Giacalone Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honors WHS guidance counselor, Sarah Giacalone. Sarah embodied the true meaning of dedication. Her students loved her and felt that a person of her caliber comes along once in a lifetime. The scholarship will keep Sarah's legacy alive with the hope that students will follow in her footsteps.
The Stephen C. Goodwin Sr. Scholarship—Undergraduate Pursuit of Studies in History, Social Studies, Political Science or Law
From 1970 to 2014, Stephen Goodwin Sr., a life-long Waltham resident, taught United States History and Constitutional Law as well as was the Director of the WHS Social Studies Department. During his lengthy tenure, he was honored as the John F. Kennedy Library Law Teacher of the Year as well as the Massachusetts Law Teacher of the Year by the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Additionally, he served as WHS Student Council Advisor for over two decades during which he co-founded the WHS Student Santa program which has provided over $1 million in gifts to thousands of Waltham children.
Lucille and Regina Hanna Scholarship
Lucille and Regina Hanna were highly respected, legendary teachers at WHS from the 1940s-1980s. Lucille taught History and Regina taught English. Lucille was a renowned expert in ancient and European history. Their three loves were the city of Waltham, its public schools, and St. Charles Church.
George Husson Scholarship / National Honor Society
Mr. George Husson was a highly respected teacher and administrator in the Waltham Public Schools. After teaching in the business department, Mr. Husson became the principal of Waltham High School in 1967, a post he held until his retirement in 1979. As a faculty member and as principal, Mr. Husson was a strong supporter of the National Honor Society.
Alice L. Kanaly Memorial Scholarship
Alice Kanaly was a devoted kindergarten teacher at the Newhall School for many years. (The Newhall School now houses the Winchester Crane apartments on Prospect St.)
Joyce Keith Memorial Scholarship
Joyce Keith was the epitome of a lady, gracious and giving. A graduate of WHS and Framingham State College, she was a dedicated Waltham elementary teacher for 30 years. A devoted wife and mother, loyal friend and Bruins fan, Joyce loved a good laugh. Her generous spirit lives on through this scholarship.
Rosa Kubin Memorial Scholarship Fund
Dr. Rosa Kubin taught chemistry at Waltham High. This scholarship was established in 2007 to help Waltham High students who plan to study chemistry, medicine, or veterinary medicine. Read more about Dr. Kubin.
Thomas G. Lynch Memorial Family Scholarship
Thomas Lynch was a math teacher at Waltham High. He was the Director of Math from the early 1970s until his retirement in the 1980s.
Norman J., Madeline B. & Jane MacDonald Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of Norman, Madeline, and Jane MacDonald. They all possessed a great commitment and dedication to the Waltham Public School System. Norman taught Industrial Arts at the Robbins School, Madeline was a secretary at Kennedy Middle School, and Jane taught French at the high school.
John William McDevitt Memorial Scholarship
Dr. John W. McDevitt was superintendent of WPS from 1942-1961. During that period, he became Chairman of the State Board of Education and attended several White House conferences. Historian Christopher Kauffman has called him "a broker of consensus, who nonetheless was not reluctant to take a firm position on issues."
John and Evelyn McDonald Memorial Scholarship - Occupational Education Student and Medical Profession
John McDonald was an educator at WHS for over 25 years. John coached Boys and Girls Swimming. Evelyn McDonald was a nurse at Waltham Hospital and Twinbrook Surgical. They both volunteered with GWARC. Their scholarship is given to a student entering the medical or vocational field with strong community service.
Marlyn Miller Memorial Scholarship
Marlyn Miller was Bilingual Guidance Counselor in the WPS for 30 years. In her memory, her children established this scholarship to help defray college expenses during a former Waltham Bilingual/ELL student's freshman year. Recipient have beautifully described the positive impact the Bilingual/ELL program has had on their lives.
Dr. Susan M. Nicholson Scholarship
Dr. Susan M. Nicholson has been the Superintendent of the Waltham Public Schools since July of 2011. As a recipient of numerous scholarships that enabled her to attend college, she has been a teacher and administrator in several school districts for over forty years. She would like the opportunity to give back to a Waltham student some level of financial support as he/she pursues a career in education.
Margaret M. Nolan Scholarship – Given by Richard White, Class of 1949
This scholarship was established by Mr. Richard White, WHS Class of 1949, in honor of Margaret M. Nolan many years ago. This scholarship recognizes the enduring guidance, support, and encouragement Richard and so many other students received from Miss Nolan, which allowed them to follow their dreams and fulfill their personal goals.
The Henry F. O’Brien Memorial Scholarship
Henry O'Brien was a well respected educator in the Waltham Public Schools for more than forty years. He was a teacher, administrator, and school committee member. Henry O'Brien was a team player who dedicated his life to helping the students in the Waltham Public Schools.
S. Caroline Peabody Scholarship
Caroline Peabody was a principal of the former Banks Elementary School.
Anna Redmund / Joseph Cardillo Whittemore School PTO Scholarship
Anna Redmond, a kindergarten teacher in Waltham from 1919-1966, mostly at Whittemore, taught generations of Whittemore families. Joseph Cardillo, Waltham native, WHS teacher, Banks School principal, Whittemore principal from 1957-1983, organizer of the annual safety patrol trips to Washington, D.C. was loved and respected by the south side community.
Ella Robinson Memorial Scholarship of the Fitzgerald School
Mrs. Ella Robinson was a wonderful third grade teacher at the James Fitzgerald School. She believed that all children should be well prepared for life. She instilled a strong sense of citizenship, pride, and work ethics. Mrs. Robinson had a lasting influence on many children in the Waltham community.
Lillian Shirley Memorial Scholarship
Lillian Shirley, mother of John Shirley, was an English teacher at WHS for many years and a member of the Waltham School Committee. She was a devoted member of the Beth Eden Baptist Church where she rang the church bell every day for the hostages in Iran.
Soft Touch Band Scholarship in Memory of Paul Rooney
Soft Touch is an 18 piece Big Band founded in Waltham in 1980 and first directed by Paul Rooney. Members receive no compensation but instead proceeds are used to provide college scholarships in memory of FitzGerald School fourth grade teacher Paul Rooney for students with high musical participation. Over $100,000 has been awarded to students in the greater Boston area.
Thomas 'Tucker' Taranto Memorial Scholarship
Thomas "Tucker" Taranto, life long Waltham resident, WHS Football Hall of Famer, WHS custodian 30+ years, assistant football coach 20 years, battled kidney disease 26 years. His illness never interfered with his dedication, love and inspiration for the student athlete. He was the spirit of WHS football for many years.
Walter Tokarczyk Scholarship
Walter Tokarczyk was a music teacher in the WPS for 32 years. He was the district's first percussion instructor in 1966, taught band and led the award winning WHS percussion ensemble. He was a respected music educator who trained countless musicians who went on to play professionally.
Olive Valente Scholarship
Olive Valente taught Math at South Junior High for many years and was one of the best. She was tough, but we all learned a lot and remember her well.
Waltham School Secretaries Scholarships
The WSSA gives scholarships in memory of two wonderful, dedicated secretaries. Mary Ryan worked for Superintendent James Fitzgerald and the School Committee. Sue Sawin worked in the Special Education Department. Recipients are students in good standing who plan to attend business school, preference being given to children of WSSA members.
This page last updated 8-6-2020