Foundation’s North Side Legacy Fund Supports Two Students with Family Ties to Former League
Sep 04, 2024 01:22PM ● By Nicole Petrus
WATERTOWN — The North Side Legacy Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation recently presented two members of the Class of 2024 with scholarships totaling $1,000 to support their post secondary educational pursuits.
The North Side Legacy Fund was established in 2019 as a permanent fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation to forever honor and perpetuate the history and heritage of the North Side Improvement League.
Graduating high school seniors who live in the City of Watertown as well as students from other areas who have family ties to the League are encouraged to apply.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Watertown-area residents and students with family ties to the North Side Improvement League who will enroll this fall in a post-secondary educational program. Recipients of this one-year award each received $500 and were selected based on combined test scores, cumulative high school GPA, rank in class, personal data, essay scores, and applicant appraisals.
“The North Side Improvement League has a special history and heritage and these scholarships are a living reminder of its efforts to make lives better and remind us of the importance of civic contributions,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “We are grateful that the League’s ongoing legacy has a permanent home here and thankful for those who continue to contribute to build the fund.”
Class of 2024 North Side Legacy Scholarship recipients
Jensen M. St. Croix, Immaculate Heart Central School, Jefferson Community College, allied health and biological sciences; daughter of Amy and Jayson St. Croix. Jensen plans to continue her education in medical school and aspires to become a neonatal surgeon. Jensen’s family has lived on Watertown’s North Side for several generations. Multiple family members have been members of the North Side Improvement League and involved in League service.
Gage M. Marino, Carthage High School, SUNY Oswego, finance and accounting; son of Megan and Jaimie Marino, Carthage. He aspires to work as an investment advisor. Gage’s grandfather, Michael Dupee, was a longtime member of the North Side Improvement League and a former board member. Since it was established, 24 students with family ties to Watertown’s north side and the former North Side Improvement League have been awarded educational support totaling $11,500.
Past recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation North Side Legacy Fund Scholarship include, from the Class of 2023: Jack L. Clough, Watertown High School; Abigail L. Davis, Indian River High School; Aidan D. Linkroum, Lyme Central High School; KaiAnna Navarra, Watertown High School; Julian D. St. Croix, General Brown High School; and Julia M. Valvo, General Brown High School. From the Class of 2022: Victoria Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central; Hannah M. Reichard, Cicero/North Syracuse High School; Martin Joseph Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; and Loise Allen Pador, Watertown High School. From the Class of 2021: Dawson DeLine, Watertown High School; Tadd Ledoux, Immaculate Heart Central; Maria Netto, Watertown High School, and Madison White, Watertown High School. From the Class of 2020: Madilyn Eveleigh, Watertown High School; Samantha Farone, Immaculate Heart Central; Benjamin T. Hutchins, Immaculate Heart Central; Brennan Lynch, Watertown High School; Nicholas Mallette, Watertown High School; Mikayla Murphy, Watertown High School; Kate O’Neil, Immaculate Heart Central; and Marissa E. Valvo, General Brown Central High School.
The North Side Legacy Fund also supports nonprofit organizations that serve Watertown residents. The North Side Improvement League’s rich history and legacy of civic involvement and community betterment that spanned more than a century continues through the North Side Legacy Fund. To help build the fund, gifts may be made to the Northern New York Community Foundation, ATTN: North Side Legacy Fund, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601, or through secure online giving at nnycf.org. Members of the North Side Legacy Fund Advisory Committee include: Sylvia Buduson, Allison Carlos, Michael Dupee, Jacob Johnson, Laurie Koelmel, Terri Mallette, Bill and Pat Parody, and Terry Williams.
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.
