LYNN — As the saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
The adage could not better represent St. Mary’s High School student Madison Spencer who received the Edward H. Cahill Scholarship from the Agganis Foundation on Friday.
One of the significant parts of Spencer winning her scholarship is that her parents are also past winners. Her father, Steve, won an Agganis Scholarship in 1987, while her mother, Laurie, won one in 1989.
Both Steve and Laurie Spencer know how remarkable receiving one of these scholarships is, especially to a prospective college student.
“I knew that this was a big award to get, to grow up in the city of Lynn; you know, I knew it was a very special award; it was not just for one year. It was for all four years. To realize now we are in 2022, and that is still how it is being handled is amazing,” said Laurie Spencer.
Her husband echoed her sentiment regarding the gravity of the award, saying, “It was a proud moment of my life to be honored with the Agganis Foundation Scholarship. It was a very competitive thing, and it still is today, I am sure.”
Even right now, Laurie says the prestige of being honored with an Agganis Scholarship is not lost on her daughter.
“When she did receive notification she was a recipient of the Harry Agganis Scholarship for this year, she was like, wow, that is a huge honor to be able to have this legacy with my parents.”
Throughout Spencer’s high school education, she was a consummate pro, whether in the classroom with a GPA over four or on the field playing several sports, including lacrosse, soccer, and swimming.
Additionally, if the Agganis Scholarship was not enough, Spencer’s educational excellence gained her acceptance into UMass Amherst’s prestigious Isenberg School of Management.
Steve and Laurie Spencer could not be more proud of their daughter for putting in the tremendous work even to be considered for a scholarship.
“My wife and I are extremely proud of Madison and all her accomplishments. A majority in the classroom, that is where she excels. She is a great student athlete, teammate, and just a solid contributor to her high school,” said Steve Spencer.
“Madison sets goals for herself, and there is no doubt in our minds — both my husband and I — that she will accomplish them,” said Laurie Spencer.
She added, “It is a very special moment for all three of us.”
