CHATHAM – The Alice and Murray Giddings Foundation recently named nine 2014 recipients of the 2014 Giddings Foundation Scholarships. Each was awarded a $5000 scholarship directly applicable to thier post-secondary certificate or college degree program. The recipients will be honored at a luncheon reception at the Winding Brook Country Club on June 8. The 2014 Giddings Scholars are:
Jamie Albrecht is Valedictorian of the Class of 2014 at Taconic Hills High School. She received the Bausch and Lomb Science Award and is a National Honor Society Member. Jaime participated in varsity soccer and swimming, and was a member of the varsity track team. Jamie has served as Class President for four years, and Student Member of the Board of Education during her senior year. She participated in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar, and was a state semi-finalist in the American Legion Oratorical Contest. She participated in the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble, was a member of the All County Band and a NYSSMA soloist in flute. Jamie was a leader on the Chatham U17 Girls Travel Team, and volunteered at the Claverack Free Library. She is employed at Our Daily Bread Café. Jamie plans to pursue a major in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine at Ithaca College.
Humaira Khan is a 2014 graduate of Hudson High School. She is in the top 5% of her class. Humaira has been involved in Varsity Club, Art Club, SADD, and the HHS newspaper. She has been a Peer Tutor for the last five years. Humaira served as Treasurer for Environmental Club, Envirothon, and the Senior Class; Vice President of National Honor Society; and President of Save a Life, Save the World Club. She has been a member of the varsity tennis team, and was a Scholar Athlete. Humaira is the recipient of the University of Albany’s Multicultural Award and the George Eastman Young Leaders Award. She has volunteered time to support the Salvation Army, Dollars for Scholars, the Columbia Memorial Hospital’s Second Show. Humaira has worked at Operation Unite and tutored local children. She plans to attend the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Science to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
Louisa Dodds is a 2014 graduate of Taconic Hills High School. She ranks in the top 5% of her class. A member of the National Honor Society, Louisa was involved in Select Choir, Concert Band, Student Council, the American Legion Oratorical Contest, and classroom mentoring in the TH Elementary School. Her athletic pursuits include varsity swim team, track and cross country. She is winner of the 2014 Sean French “The Love of Running” Scholarship. Louisa has been active in Girl Scouts throughout her high school career. Through her church community she has participated in Church Youth Group and Mission trips to Mexico. Some of her other community activities include service on the Roeliff Jansen Library Youth team, Family Running Clinic and the Southern Berkshire Child Care Program. Louisa has been employed as a lifeguard at Lake Taghkanic State Park and Taconic State Park. Louisa will attend Gordon College in Whenham, MA.
Benjamin Love is a 2014 graduate of Hudson High School and Questar III Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. He has completed the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVAC/R) program at Questar III; and EPA and OSHA certifications in that program. Benjamin has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in Hudson and he also volunteered at Animalkind, a cat rescue organization. Benjamin has been on the high honor roll at both Hudson High School and Questar III, maintained academic standing in the top quarter of his class, and served on the Yearbook Committee. In the fall, he plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College to secure an Associate’s Degree in the field of Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technical Services.
Miguel Martinez is a 2014 graduate of Ichabod Crane Central High School. A member of the National Honor Society, Miguel has tutored elementary aged English Language Learners, and has tutored at the high school level. Miguel is an employee at Love Apple Farm in Ghent, where he has been in charge of fruit production at the Farm for the last several years. Miguel played soccer for ICC, helping his team win Regional and State Championships in 2012. In addition to his Honors and Accelerated classes at ICCHS, Miguel has developed his talents and skills in visual arts classes; one of his works was part of the Hudson Winter Walk Show, and his writing has been published in the Inheritances Anthology. Miguel plans to complete a degree in Engineering at Hudson Valley Community College, and then transfer to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Devin Overington is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2014 at Germantown High School. Devin has volunteered his expertise in technology to his school district, the Germantown Library, and Germantown History Department. Devin serves as the president of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Drama Club, and the Class of 2014. A BSA Eagle Scout, Devin also represented his school at the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program, and was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the VFW 2012 Voice of Democracy Scholarship, the PTSA Citizenship Award, and the New York State Senate Youth Leadership Award. Devin has been accepted into the Honors Program at Marist College.
Kaitlin S. Pearson is a 2014 graduate of Chatham High School. Ranked in the top 5% of her class, Kaitlin held leadership positions as the president of the National Honor Society, Captain of the varsity indoor track team, Class President, and President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Kaitlin has represented Chatham High School at the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program, Model Congress, and Model United Nations. She served as both editor and reporter for the school newspaper, and has been published in Peloris Literary Magazine. Kaitlin played in the School Concert and Marching Band. She is also an actor, participating in shows at Chatham High School, Theater Barn, Ghent Playhouse, and The Mac-Haydn Theatre. Kaitlin plans to pursue a degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism at the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.
Gazi Sakib is a 2014 graduate of Hudson High School. Gazi spent his senior year at the Questar III New Visions Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Program at RPI. He has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Hudson. Previously, he has provided volunteer time in anti-poverty and child welfare efforts in his native country of Bangladesh. These efforts include his work as a co-founder and chemistry laboratory assistant at an Experimental Learning Center; and volunteer fundraiser director for Reach Out Bangladesh. At Hudson High School, he is a member of the National Honor Society. He was co-founder and President of the Hudson High Bluehawk’s Math Club, and participated in varsity soccer. Gazi plans to pursue a degree in Chemical and Molecular Engineering at Stony Brook University.
Demery Weeks is a 2014 graduate of New Lebanon High School. She has been a member of varsity soccer, track, basketball, and swimming teams. She has been designated a scholar athlete, and participated in All County Chorus. She was Vice President of her Student Council, and a member of SADD, the Yearbook Club, and the Community Service Club at the High School. Her community service activities include volunteering to build the playground at the Walter B Howard elementary school; Student Theatre Outreach Program; and fundraising for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She received the George Eastman Young Leadership Award in 2013 from the University of Rochester. Demery has been a lifeguard and summer day camp counselor at JMU for Kids Camp. She intends to major in International Business and Economics at the SUNY College at Brockport.
