These are the many graduates of Broome County High Schools who have received a 4-year scholarship from Silvia Drupa. She left a sum of money in her will to be strictly used for scholarships in the fields of horticulture, botany, biology and closely related field.
The first recipient, Danielle Behn, is pictured Left receiving her First year's check. She is pictured Right, graduating from the University of New England. In Massachusetts, teaching pre-kindergarten at a Charter School, but currently taking a break.
Pictured above is Ryan Di Rado who, after participating his freshman year, decided on a different career path. Also in the picture are Alyssa Menz, our third recipient, and Danielle Behn, our first.
Alyssa Menz, our third recipient, is pictured Left receiving her First year's scholarship check. She graduated from Columbia University with a 3.9 major GPA, and she has completed her graduate school at the University of Oxford in England! In Connecticut finishing her first year of a PhD program at Yale University on a full PhD fellowship at the Yale School of the Environment. Recently married.
Nicole Madden is our fourth recipient. She is shown Left receiving her First year's check. Living in Cape Cod, MA. Working as a Field Crew Leader monitoring the wildlife on Camp Edwards ANG . Tracks Box Turtles; monitors butterflies, etc.
Our fifth recipient, Chantal Messinger, (now Chantal Rogers) is shown upper Right receiving her First year's check, and lower Right enjoying the gardens at her University, BYU, Idaho. In the Southern Tier, NY volunteering at the Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cutler Botanic Gardens. Part-time at for Town of Greene; clerk for their Planning Board.
In our sixth year, the competition resulted in a virtual tie. Therefore, we awarded two scholarships. Above is Matthew Stalter, seen receiving his First Year's check. We lost touch with him. And below, Dana Carris, receiving his First year's check. Currently attending Texas A&M for a degree in Marine Biology while working remotely for GHD in Environmental.
Above, Gunnar Glover, graduating from Seton Catholic HS is now in the NY Finger Lakes where he has a farm specializing in organic produce and honey, and a flock of sheep and laying hens.
Then, in 206, we were pleased to award two scholarships. Above, Alyssa Heller, is seen receiving her First Year's check; however, she dropped out. And, below, Taylor Robinson, receiving his First Year's check. Working for NY Department of Transportation in Binghamton as a Construction Inspector assuring compliance with processes.
THE LAIMONS E. and SILVIA DRUPA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Through the exceptional generosity of Silvia Drupa (pictured with her husband, Laimons, Right), a scholarship program was established within the Binghamton Garden Club, a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State. Application is open to any Broome County, NY High School graduating senior planning to major in a college or university undergraduate program in Horticulture, Botany, Biology (not pre-med), Environmental Studies, or other closely-related discipline.
Here's our 2017 Scholarship winner, Toni Daino, receiving her "Big Check"!! Currently in Ballston Spa, NY, working at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service with landowners in Hamilton, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Fulton and Montgomery Counties implementing best management practices on their land.
In 2019, we were very pleased to be able to award not one, not two, but THREE Scholarships!
Ian Shaffer graduated from Binghamton University where he majored in Environmental Science.
Morgan Whittington graduated from SUNY Oneonta where she majored in Environmental Sustainability.
Hanna Cluck graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh where she majored in Environmental Studies.
And, for the second year in a row, we are pleased to be able to award not one, not two, but THREE Scholarships in 2020 as well!
Tavia Wright, now a senior at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, majoring in Environmental Science.
Taylor Rutherford going into his senior year at Paul Smith’s College majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology with a Wildlife concentration.
Jadyn Baidoo-Davis going into her senior year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute majoring in Environmental Engineering.
In 2022 we were very pleased to award two Scholarships.
Marc Marion, our first 2019 Scholarship winner graduated from Binghamton University majoring in Environmental Science. He is currently employed at the Visions Credit Union as an Internal Operations Assistant in their Headquarters in Endicott.
Declan Houlihan, our second winner for 2019, here seen receiving his “Big Check”, graduated from Williams College.
And finally, here is Joshua Black receiving his “Big Check”. He has graduated from Eckerd College and is currently working for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute health team.
And, then, for a thirdd year in a row, we are pleased to be able to award not one, not two, but THREE Scholarships in 2021 as well!
Meadow Kapczynski is working in NYC with Barnard College to help create science curriculum and design field trips with local K-8 teachers trough a program called “STEAM in the city”. Going into her Junior year at Barnard College (NYC) majoring in Environmental Science.
Christian Arsenault, who attended SUNY Cobleskill, has dropped out.
And again in 2023 we are very pleased to award two Scholarships.
Once again, the Drupa Scholarship Trust is pleased to award two Scholarships in 2024.
Carmella Di Renzo going into her Sophomore year at Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering with Energy & Environmental Focus.
Kathryn White is going into her Sophomore year at Broome Community College majoring in Environmental Science.
