Scholarship

Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library Scholarship

Each year since 2006, the Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library awards a $1000 cash prize to a graduating senior who is entering an accredited college or technical school and has demonstrated strong academic achievement and good citizenship. The prize may be used for either tuition or books.

ELIGIBILITY

The award is open to graduating high school students who are residents of Glastonbury, Connecticut. The student must have a solid academic standing and show active involvement in the community. An accredited college or technical school must have accepted the applicant as a full-time student.

SELECTION PROCESS

The successful candidate must complete an application and return it to the Friends of Welles-Turner Memorial Library, 2407 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033 no later than April 1st, 2020. The application requires two names as outside references. Only one reference may be from a school administrator or teacher. References should not be from relatives or friends. The award winner will be selected by the Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library using the aforementioned criteria and the completed application.

If you have any questions, call the Friends of the Library at (860) 652-7728.

2020 Scholarship Winner Kaitlyn Bellofiore

The Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library has announced the 2020 recipient of its $1000 Scholarship Award, given annually to a resident of Glastonbury graduating from a public, private or parochial high school and accepted to an accredited college or technical school as a full-time student. This year’s winner is Kaitlyn Bellofiore who will be attending the University of New England majoring in Marine Biology/Environmental Science.

Kaitlyn’s Scholarship Essay

I had a difficult time learning how to read due to a learning disability. For years, reading was something I did not enjoy even though my parents were avid readers. When I was 8 years old, I went to the town library book sale with my mother. It was here that I discovered the series Animorphs. This series gave me a desire to read and I was determined to read all 54 books. Reading eventually became something I enjoyed, and I’m proud to say that I earned a perfect score of 36 in the reading section of the ACT!

Drawing was an activity that I used to “escape” from social challenges and since I have Aspergers, I spent a lot of time drawing. While at Smith Middle School, one of my teachers told me that the library was looking for a student to create a special table for the Teen Room and that he wanted me to create it. I was thrilled to have been asked but also very nervous as my art had always been private. With his encouragement, I decided to seize the opportunity and created the table. Looking back, it was one of my highlights of middle school and last I checked my table was still there.

I have always needed to meet with tutors since I have special education needs. Sometimes I met the tutors at my house, but most of the time we met at Welles-Turner Memorial Library. The upstairs meeting rooms were a perfect environment for us to meet since they were quiet and private.

The Welles-Turner Memorial Library has had a significant influence on my education by providing me with the tools to grow my confidence and advance my academic skills. I feel this growth has prepared me for college, and I look forward to attending the University of New England in the Fall as a marine biology major.

Past winners

2020- Kaitlyn Bellofiore

2019-Hailey Espinosa

2018 – Ryan Kalagher

2017 – Reshana Homma

2016 – Kalliope Sanderson

2015 – Marily Mussien

2014 – Abigail Descoteaux

2013 – John (Jack) Ostrowski

2012 – Clarissa Paquette

2011 – Alexander Ryan

2010 – Gracelyn Rose Swahn

2009 – Sofia Goodrich

2008 – Mary-Kate James

2007 – Valerie Baker
2006 – Kehui Kaycee Fu

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