Supporting Aspirations of Local Youth
When Frank Petrie walked into Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) to meet the two recipients of the Vincent F. Petrie Memorial Scholarship Fund, created in honor of his father, he had planned to learn about the students’ interest in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). By the end of the meeting, he had heard stories about the recent graduates’ lives, and shared stories of his father’s passion for education along with his mother’s continued support for students like them. All walked away with a deeper understanding of how these relationships will help sculpt the futures of the next generation.
Local philanthropists who have opened scholarship funds through BCF may have different goals in mind, whether it is to support student athletes or help finance careers in the arts. But all share a common objective to nurture the futures of local youth, and all have helped dozens of ambitious students reach their aspirations.
In the words of one scholarship recipient receiving the Erin O’Brien Mead Scholarship, which prioritizes students who have a track record of good character, an interest in community volunteering, and have financial need, “Thank you so, so much for this scholarship! It means a lot to have community involvement reach so far in my life. I have a strong focus on giving back to the community, and strive to find ways I can use my skills to improve my surroundings.”
The meeting between Frank Petrie and the recipients of his father’s memorial scholarship fund has ignited a new initiative for BCF to host a scholarship reception every year, where fund holders will be able to meet the youth receiving scholarships. In the words of Frank Petrie, “my Dad, Vincent, found joy not just in helping his students get better grades in math and science, but also in getting to know them, learning about their lives and their hopes for the future. His reward was in helping them take a few extra steps along the path to their dreams.” BCF looks forward to creating these connections for years to come.
For the full list of scholarship recipients, please see the list below. To learn more about BCF’s scholarship funds, click here.
