Post-secondary graduations
The following Upper Valley residents earned bachelor’s degrees from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI, this spring: Sarah Avampato, Sunapee, English and secondary education; Ava Dodson, Barnard, business administration and management, cum laude; Talia Fritzhand, Woodstock, kinesiology, summa cum laude; and Sophia Postans, Windsor, biology.
Post-secondary accomplishments
Margaret “Maggie” Mello, of West Windsor, earned a $20,000 scholarship from US Foods, a Rosemont, Ill.-based food distribution company. Mello was one of 18 students from around the US selected for the scholarship, according to a news release from US Foods. Mello is studying business management with a concentration in hospitality and event management at Providence College in Providence, RI.
“My parents and grandparents shaped my love for food, but I also look up to the chef I work with in catering—his ability to turn a dish into a work of art inspires me to combine great flavor with beautiful presentation,” Mello said in a scholarship announcement. Her goal is to eventually open her own business “where I can bring people together through thoughtful service, good food and memorable moments.”
John Bieszczad, of Grantham, made the president’s list at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass., for the spring 2025 semester.
Ethan Jacobson-Goodhue, of Hartland, made the dean’s list at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass., for the spring 2025 semester.
Community College of Vermont names new dean of academic affairs
Associate academic dean Candace Lewis, of Georgia, Vt., has been promoted to dean of academic affairs at the Community College of Vermont, a nonprofit organization that has a branch in White River Junction. Lewis, who was worked at CCV since 2007, succeeds Debby Stewart who retired earlier this summer after working at the college system for 31 years, according to a news release.
“Candace believes deeply in the transformative power of community college education, and she will be key to ensuring that CCV continues to deliver high-quality, valuable, relevant programs to Vermonters,” CCV President Joyce Judy said in the release.
Community College of Vermont earns Metallica Scholars Initiative grant
The Community College of Vermont has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support students studying cybersecurity and IT, according to a news release from the nonprofit organization, which has a branch in White River Junction. It is the second year CCV has been awarded funding through the Metallica Scholars Imitative; last year, the college earned a $75,000 grant to put toward career and technical education programs.
The funding will enable CCV to award scholarships to students enrolled in cloud computing, IT support, cybersecurity & networking, data analytics & AI, and web development certificate programs during the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
The program is a collaboration between All Within My Hands, a nonprofit organization founded by the members of the metal band Metallica, and the American Association of Community Colleges. Now in its seventh year, the Metallica Scholars Initiative supports programs at 75 colleges throughout the United States. The Community College System of New Hampshire — which includes River Valley Community College in Claremont and Lebanon is also part of the program, according to All Within My Hands.
“We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades,” Metallica band member Robert Trujillo said in the release.
Email academic accomplishments to schoolnotes@vnews.com.
