The Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) Scholarship Committee announced its scholarship winners.
“The Chamber believes that education is essential for building a better tomorrow for our students,” said PACC President Beth Amico. “These students passed a rigorous application and interview process, and PACC is sure that they will thrive in their areas of study.”
Peabody High’s Edson Uvalle received a Community Service scholarship and will major in nursing at Salem State University. He feels that his virtual learning experience will serve him well in college.
“I think it’s actually a good way to learn about college,” said Uvalle. “I know college isn’t every day, seven hours of school, and it’s a mix of online and in-person. So I feel like getting this experience is a benefit to me.”
Emily Thomas of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School was awarded a Business Major scholarship. She will major in business law at George Washington University.
Alyssa Vounessea of Austin Preparatory School was also awarded a Business Major scholarship. She intends to major in finance at the Villanova School of Business in the fall.
Amber Kiricoples of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School was awarded a Community Service scholarship. She will major in marketing at Bentley University, a school she feels will give her what she needs to succeed.
“The level of the academics at Bentley is crazy,” Kiricoples said. “They’re known as one of the best business schools in the country. I’ve always been really interested in that and marketing and know it will give me an incredible foundation for my future.”
Kiricoples, the 2020 Essex Media Group Peabody Person of the Year, also plans to bring her talent to the women’s lacrosse team, which had a record-setting year, finishing a program-best 12th in the final Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association poll of the season. The team won its first Northeast-10 championship and also notched its first NCAA tournament bid in program history.
PACC scholarships are available to college-bound Peabody residents as well as residents or non-residents employed by a Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce member, and Peabody residents or non-residents with a parent who is employed by a PACC member. Graduates of the Peabody Young Entrepreneurs Academy are also eligible.
The scholarship application process required applicants to provide an academic history, short essay, documentation of community service and an interview. Funds for the scholarships are raised through the PACC/Rotary Club of Peabody Annual Torigian Golf Classic. For more information on the scholarships, the Torigian Golf Classic or joining the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce, go to www.peabodychamber.com or call 978-531-0384.
