Community Foundation Honors Class of 2024 George C. Boldt Scholars at Boldt Castle
Jul 29, 2024 01:26PM ● By Kenzie Shiver
HEART ISLAND — Three Jefferson County high school members of the Class of 2024 were honored July 18 as recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship. Ella F. Galloway and Sydnie R. Manarina, both Watertown High School graduates, and Dawson J. Rastley, a General Brown High School graduate, were each awarded a two-year, $10,000 scholarship during a reception at Boldt Castle with George C. Boldt’s great-great-grandson, Charles B. “Charlie” Goodridge, and family. The scholarship honors the legacy of the castle’s builder, noted hotelier and philanthropist George C. Boldt Sr. Charlie Goodridge’s father, Malcolm Goodridge III, led efforts in 2017 to establish the scholarship with other descendants of Mr. Boldt and dozens of North Country donors who have made gifts to the scholarship fund at the Community Foundation. Malcolm passed away in March at the age of 87. “Malcolm Goodridge had a dream to create a meaningful and enduring legacy that celebrated student achievement and the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. With the help of others, he accomplished this goal and forever connected it with heritage and history of George Boldt and the region,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “We feel extremely honored to provide stewardship to ensure this noble work continues in perpetuity.”
Mr. Goodridge congratulated the Class of 2024 and thanked all who have helped build the scholarship and, with his daughter, Gracelyn, presented awards to this year’s recipients. A permanent plaque that pays tribute to founding donors was installed in Boldt Castle in 2019 along with a plaque that names recipients of the Boldt Scholarship. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, which owns and operates Boldt Castle as a leading tourist destination, has generously supported the scholarship program since its inception. “This scholarship meant the world to my father, and he is with us tonight, looking down with pride for the incredible students we are gathered to honor,” Charlie Goodridge said. “Each of you have persevered through some challenges that have made you the resilient, successful young adults you are today. Your commitment, passion for your interests, and willingness to never give up is a testament to your character and will lead you to even greater heights on your future paths.”George C. Boldt, who immigrated to the United States from Prussia at age 13, believed in people who showed promise throughout his life in business. As they begin their college studies, each of the new scholarship recipients have faced obstacles and overcome difficulties in their young lives.
About this year’s George C. Boldt Scholars
Ella F. Galloway graduated with honors in June from Watertown High School with a New York State Regents diploma. She will attend St. John Fisher College, Rochester, this fall where she will study psychology. She aspires to work as a laboratory researcher. Ella is a top-ranked honor student and a two-year National Honor Society member who played volleyball and golf. She was a Youth Advisory Council member and participated in fine arts and music. A proud Native American, she established the Indigenous Peoples Club at her school during her junior year to “help inspire people about indigenous culture and cuisine, and how to embrace someone’s heritage.”
Sydnie R. Manarina graduated in June from Watertown High School with a New York State Regents diploma. She will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where she is presently undeclared. Sydnie aspires to work in the criminal justice field. Sydnie is a longtime gymnast and basketball player who competed at the varsity level. She was also a Booster Club member and youth sports coach. Sydnie is active in her community, teaching and mentoring young people as a gymnastics and youth sports coach at the Watertown Family YMCA and a lifeguard for the City of Watertown. She is also a volunteer for the Italian-American Civic Association. She is the daughter of Kimberlie Manarina and the granddaughter of Antoinette Manarina, Watertown.
Dawson J. Rastley graduated in June with a New York State Regents diploma from General Brown High School and completed a two-year criminal justice program at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES. He will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where he will study criminal justice. Dawson aspires to work as a New York State Trooper to help others in his community. Dawson was a standout athlete, competing for five years as a varsity football player and earning numerous honors, including the Ronald Siver Outstanding Lineman Award in his senior year. Dawson also competed in varsity lacrosse for three years. Off the field of play, he is a 10-year participant in 4-H, earning several awards for livestock and animal showing. Dawson is an active in his community, volunteering for the Children’s Miracle Network, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and various events at his church. He is the son of Paula and Thomas Rastley, Watertown.
About the George C. Boldt Scholarship
Following a summer 2017 family gathering at Boldt Castle, descendants of famed hotelier George C. Boldt, Sr., led by Malcolm Goodridge III, decided to create a permanent scholarship fund to forever benefit Jefferson County students. The Northern New York Community Foundation was selected to administer the scholarship, which honors Mr. Boldt’s legacy of service.
Mr. Boldt, (1851-1916) a one-time proprietor of the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, is known for his influence on development of the urban hotel as a civic social center and luxury destination. He and his family also left a philanthropic legacy that, among other things, emphasized education. In 1922, Mr. Boldt’s son, George C. Jr., established a scholarship program at Cornell University that bears his father’s name. According to an April 24, 1923, story in the “Cornell Daily Sun,” the elder Mr. Boldt “always sympathized with an eager student whose only impediment to higher education was a lack of funds.” During his lifetime, Mr. Boldt also helped put at least 75 people through college, doing so anonymously. It is fitting that this legacy continues through the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Sr. Scholarship.
Jefferson County residents pursuing full-time undergraduate study — either in college, technical, vocational, or trade school — may apply. Applications are accepted from high school seniors or nontraditional students. The scholarship was expanded in 2021 to a two-year award of up to $10,000 with three awards this year. Recipients are chosen based on academic performance, personal data, essay scores, and letters of recommendation. Students should show promise and potential and have demonstrated an interest in and service to their communities.
Past recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship include, from the Class of 2019: Matthew Ford and Dylan O’Connor, Alexandria Central High School, and Abrianna Parson, Watertown High School; from the Class of 2020: Ashley St. Croix, Thousand Islands High School, and Mya Weaver and Makayla Witt, Alexandria Central High School; from the Class of 2021: Hayden Augliano, Watertown High School, Jason J. Badalato, Carthage Senior High School, and Gabrielle “Ellie” Hyde, Alexandria Central High School; and from the Class of 2022: Elizabeth Ann Marie Hellings and Cody M. Wade, Indian River High School, and Brayden Philip Wiley, Thousand Islands High School. Class of 2023: Chantell L. Beach, Watertown High School, Cameron L. Derouin, Sackets Harbor High School, and Sadie S. Pasinello, South Jefferson High School.About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.
CAPTION: From left: Shane Sanford, retired Boldt Castle operations manager and Boldt Scholarship committee chairman; Gracelyn Goodridge, great-great-great-granddaughter of George C. Boldt Sr.; 2024 Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship recipients Ella F. Galloway, Sydnie R. Manarina, and Dawson J. Rastley; and Charlie Goodridge, great-great-grandson of George C. Boldt Sr. in the billiard room of Boldt Castle during a reception and celebration on July 18.
