Local United Way honors students with scholarships

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley officially welcomed 17 new students to the 2014 class of Marian L. Heard Scholars at a luncheon at the Boston College Club in Boston.These students are honored for being not only excellent students inside the classroom but for outstanding leadership in the community. Two of these students are from Lynn and involved in the local community through Lynn. They are Denyse Hairston, Salem State University, Lynn YMCA; and Jessiree Gonzalez, Bridgewater State University, Lynn YMCA.Miriam Nyan arrived in Lowell in 2007 after growing up surrounded by violence in Liberia. Today, she is studying biology at Worcester State University to become a doctor so she can return to Africa to help drive down the devastating death tolls that result from curable diseases. Sheila Reyes, of Roxbury, lost three friends to violence in three years. Today, she is a student at Boston College majoring in sociology and thinking about a future in law school. Jason Martinez, of Lawrence, just finished his second year at Bentley College. He is the first in his family to go to college and continues to be an active volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence. They are also all participants in United Way’s Marian L. Heard Scholarship Program.”We are so proud to be able to help these scholars – our future leaders – become the people they were meant to be,” says Michael Durkin, president and CEO United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. “Every year, I am inspired by their extraordinary resolve and commitment in and out of the classroom. They come from all over and most have not faced an easy path to get here, but they were undeterred are now poised for success.”Each scholar who qualifies financially will receive up to $10,000 over the four years they attend college, as well as their own “e-Coach” – a United Way volunteer who will regularly meet with, email and provide their scholar with advice and support throughout their college journey. This year, 13 students will receive Marian L. Heard scholarships, while four will receive e-coaching and support only (these students received other scholarships or financial aid and did not meet the requirement for financial support).A unique aspect of the program, which aims to position students for college success academically as well as financially, is the e-Coach mentoring. The relationship has proven to be a valuable asset for the students, providing trusted advice on college issues ranging from navigating housing concerns to course selection and internships.Scholarship awardees are chosen by a group of United Way donor volunteers from companies like Bain Capital, Deloitte, Brown Brothers Harriman, Clough Capital Partners, who judge based on the following criteria:u Must be from low-income familiesu Must intend to pursue a two-year or four-year post-secondary degreeu Must have held leadership positions in a United Way-funded youth-serving organization for at least two years.The Marian L. Heard Scholarship was created as a legacy in honor of Marian L. Heard’s service as president and chief executive officer of United Way of Massachusetts Bay.