Lynn English grad wins environmental scholarship

LYNN – Lynn English High School graduate Ezequiel Ortiz is the 2009 recipient of the Beverly LeBlanc Memorial Scholarship for environmental leadership.The $500 scholarship, handed out by the Saugus River Watershed Council and the LeBlanc family, was presented to Ortiz last week by board member Carl King at a special ceremony at Flax Pond in Lynn.The scholarship fund was established in memory of LeBlanc, a Saugus resident who demonstrated a personal commitment to protecting the environment through her actions as an activist and outspoken supporter of environmental issues.Ortiz was selected for the award because of his outstanding academic achievements as well as his commitment to environmental protection, leadership and education.As a member of the National Honor Society, Ortiz has taken honors classes throughout his high school years at LEHS and has always shown a particular interest in protecting the environment.He has received many academic awards including the Presidential Award for academic excellence and has been involved in many extracurricular academic activities, serving as captain of the school math team and becoming an active member of the Science Club, Classics Club, Hispanic Club and Future Teacher’s Club, while also participating in sports such as baseball and track.In his spare time, Ortiz has taken a leadership role in the community. He conducted volunteer cleanups at Flax Pond and local beaches, tutored students in chemistry, biology and Spanish and volunteered at My Brother’s Table.Ortiz plans to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell. Among his other career goals, he hopes to find ways to make the process of making products more efficient, cheaper and less hazardous to the environment.