Three local high school graduates headed to college next year have received a financial boost from the Daniel Edelstein Memorial Scholarship fund.
Elizabeth Pugliese of Andover High School, and Johanna Mendez and Anabel Reyes of Lawrence High School were awarded $3,000 each during a ceremony on June 15 at Temple Emanuel in Andover.
Joel Edelstein of Andover established the scholarship in memory of his son Daniel, a 1977 graduate of Andover High, who died in 1983 while a student at Brown University. Daniel Edelstein was president of the Andover High class of 1977, a National Merit scholar and a regular in the school plays.
The scholarship fund began in 1996 with only one $500 award, Joel Edelstein said.
Since 1996, the fund had provided financial assistance to 34 students. The scholarship is given based on a student's academic achievement, after-school jobs, community service and financial need. The awards are not intended to cover tuition but rather such expenses as travel to and from school, books and general living expenses.
Much of the money raised is a result of contributions from Henkel Corp., according to Edelstein.
Pugliese is seeking a degree in the health profession at the University of Vermont. Mendez will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Reyes will study economics and international business at Union College.
"I think they have the strongest ability to make contributions to the community and in the course of the scholarship three awardees have come back to Lawrence to teach in the school system," Edelstein said.
He said 25 students applied for this year's scholarship. "If we had sufficient funds I would have awarded it to all of them," he said.
Contributions are accepted by mail at this address: Daniel Edelstein Scholarship fund, Temple Emanuel, 7 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover, MA 01810. All donations are tax deductable and go directly to student scholarships.
- Jonathan Phelps
