Where They Are Now WESTBROOK FOUNDATION GRANT AWARDS Printed on Recycled Paper $78,265.92 Dylan Engels stands proudly beside the new bleachers at Ted Lane Field “If I was at a larger school system my job would be more specialized in one aspect of technology, here I get to do it all, which is very exciting and keeps me interested.” He adds, “Really I can’t think of anything else I would rather be doing.” Ben encourages graduating seniors to be willing to try new things and take different career paths when it feels right. “See what’s out there, what you like. Have the courage to change majors if you need to. You don’t always know what you want to do with the rest of your life when you’re 18 years-old.” Camp Hazen YMCA – Tuition assistance for Westbrook campers High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. – Scholarship programs for Westbrook residents HOPE Partnership – Study for multi-family workforce housing Junior Colonial Fife & Drum Corps – Uniforms, drum heads and slings, and banner Maritime Education Network, Inc. – Student scholarships for summer marine programs. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Upgrade sidewalks and railings for ADA requirements Valley-Shore YMCA – After school enrichment program at Daisy Ingraham School and Westbrook Middle School Westbrook Garden Club – Replacement of window boxes and landscape gazebo on the Westbrook Town Green Westbrook Historical Society, Inc. – Install Solar Control Window Film on Museum building windows Westbrook Little League – Replace bleacher seating and fencing in front of bleachers Westbrook Middle School – Purchase of sound system and microphones Westbrook Tree Lighting Committee – Purchase shed for “Santa House” Town of Westbrook/Adopt-A-Spot – Purchase of recognition signs PRST STD ECRWSS u.s. postage 2012 Ben has always had a love for math, science and physics and was glad to have been in such a small school system where such detailed attention was given to each student, allowing him to dig deep in his areas of interest. Living out his dreams, he says he loves his current job because he gets to work with all kinds of different technology and has his hands in everything, constantly learning and teaching others. “Now we have a safer environment that is more comfortable for everyone and we are very grateful to the Westbrook Foundation and this grant for all of this,” says former Westbrook Little League president Chris Walker. The She encourages graduating seniors to look into a career in medicine if they think they will love it. “The medical field is always in need of confident, dedicated professionals and there are always positions to be filled in medicine Ben says he is extremely grateful for his college experience at Purdue, something he may not have been able to afford had it not been for the various scholarships he received from the Westbrook Foundation, which supplemented approximately a quarter of his total tuition. Glad to be out of Indiana and back in Connecticut, he is excited to be pursuing his love of sail boat racing in the summer and skiing in the winter. paid Alison’s future is bright, she plans to remain in the Northeast, specializing in pelvic surgery and she hopes to continue to volunteer her time to needed endeavors such as her recent trip to Guatemala, where she and other visiting doctors performed 30 to 40 surgeries a day. Each year, approximately 200 kids in the town of Westbrook, ranging in age from five to 14, put on team baseball hats, their matching baseball jersey, get their gloves out of the closet, and lace up their cleats to play Westbrook Little League Baseball. In past years, that meant parents and visitors had to sit on “less than comfortable,” old, splintering bleachers and very often foul balls dangerously made their way outside the fenced in area of the Ted Lane Field. However, due to an $8,000 plus grant from the Westbrook Foundation, the hard work of Dylan Engels for his Eagle Scout Merit project, and the volunteer hours and help of many town residents, this year; parents, grandparents, friends and relatives will be seated comfortably on the new Aztek grade decking bleacher seating, behind a new, higher, safer fence, to watch Westbrook children of all ages enjoy the great American past time that is baseball. EDDM Retail “The Westbrook Foundation has always been there for me and many other students and I think our town is extremely lucky to have such a wonderful group of people and such an amazing Foundation.” Ted Lane Field Gets a Face Lift for this Year’s Little League Season Westbrook Additionally, as a proud native of Westbrook, she commends the Westbrook Foundation for being a group that has consistently been there for her and helped whenever she has reached out to them. She received a scholarship when she graduated from high school and additional scholarships later in her educational career to help offset the cost of her medical books and other necessities. Working to benefit the community of Westbrook and its residents As a native of Westbrook and graduate of Westbrook High School in 1999, Ben Russell loves the ocean, his family and being able to “have his hands in every aspect of his job.” All this has brought him home to the shoreline area after spending his college career away, in Indiana at Purdue University. He started out as an Engineering major and interned at Whelen Engineering Company in Chester, where he says much of the work he did involved computer programming. It was something he enjoyed so much, he changed majors, finished college and now he is the Technology Specialist for the Westbrook School System, and he couldn’t be happier. Established 1984 “I think the biggest thing I have been able to take with me from going through the Westbrook school system, is that Westbrook teachers really teach you the basic necessities of how to study. They teach the students how to obtain knowledge as well as how to evaluate information and skills for memorizing, which has been instrumental for me in my medical studies,” praises Alison. Ben Russell Foundation, Inc. Armed with a strong sense of what she wanted do with her life, Alison Vogell decided back in fifth grade that pursuing a career in the medical field was her future. Never letting go of her admirable goal, Alison graduated from Westbrook High School in 2000 and went on to tackle a double major of History and Biology at Boston University. Now, some thirteen years later, Alison is finishing up her last year of residency in OBGYN medicine at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, before graduating in June, getting married and moving on to a fellowship in pelvic surgery at Lahey Clinic. throughout the country. It is a great field to get into with the reward of knowing you are doing something important and giving back. That’s why I love what I do!” *******************ECRWSS**** Local Postal Customer WESTBROOK, CT 06498 Alison Vogell 2012 ANNUAL REPORT “It took four weekends of hard work to remove over 500 bleacher spacers and to cut and install the new seating, but it was definitely worth it,” explains Dylan, who besides being heavily involved with Boy Scouts for the past several years, also played Little League in town as a youngster and is currently part of the Westbrook High School Baseball Team. “I remember sitting on the old bleachers and they were very uncomfortable. I thought that replacing them as my Eagle Scout project would be a great way to give back and it would be beneficial to the entire town.” The field and bleachers are not just used for baseball games. Throughout the year several different events take place at the Ted Lane Field, such as the annual, internationally renowned Westbrook Muster, the Vista Bike Tour, the Fireman’s Carnival, just to name a few. “This grant has enhanced the entire area. We are very excited to show off the new fence and bleachers on opening day in April,” says Walker, who explained that a plaque, in memory of Barbara Spencer, founder of the Westbrook Foundation, will soon adorn the side of the bleachers in remembrance of all she has done for the town through her creation of the Foundation. “Ted Lane Field has become such a focal point in the community during the spring and summer seasons that it deserves the TLC the Westbrook Foundation is proud to provide,” shares Foundation Chairman James Crawford. “In addition to our terrific Little League program, we show off the area when the Westbrook Muster hosts hundreds of participants and parade goers. Our pride in the park says a great deal about the spirit of our volunteers and the activities that bring us together as a community here in Westbrook.” Joanne Marino-Murray Chairman’s Tribute We dedicate this Annual Report to Joanne Marino-Murray, our Chair until her death last December. Her commitment to the Foundation and its community outreach was mirrored in her determination to remain active and involved until her final weeks. Joanne’s rich legacy reaches back to her days as a fourth grader in Daisy Ingraham’s class. Little did she know that she would one day carve out an extraordinary teaching career in the building named for her first Westbrook instructor. Joanne’s legion of former students bears witness to the compassionate, creative, and intellectually challenging classroom environment she nurtured for over thirty years. No tribute from us can ever match the remarkable outpouring of community sadness that characterized services for her late last year. Profound respect for a life well lived was clearly on display that day. Joanne Marino-Murray completed one five-year term of service with the Westbrook Foundation. She brought her exceptional organization skills, enthusiastic outlook, and infectious sense of humor to our board. She shared her generous spirit with everyone she encountered. We cherish her dedication to the Foundation and acknowledge our good fortune to have had her among us. James Crawford, Chairman “We are so grateful for this grant, we can’t wait to get the kids out there looking good and playing well for all the parades,” added Johnson. Westbrook The “The corps represents our town all over New England. Whenever the field music of the fife and drum is celebrated we take pride,” said Chairman of the Westbrook Foundation, James Crawford. Foundation, Inc. Established 1984 A Contribution to the Future An individual or an organization who makes a gift or bequest to The Westbrook Foundation can be assured that they have made a contribution which will benefit future generations. Taking pride in Westbrook’s musical ambassadors, the Westbrook Foundation gave a grant of $10,000 to the Junior Colonial Fife and Drum Corp, which according to director, Toni Johnson, is being used for “much needed uniforms and drum maintenance.” CASH: An outright cash gift to The Westbrook Foundation qualifies for Federal Income Tax deductions in the year of the gift. SECURITIES: Stocks and Bonds that have increased in value may be given to The Westbrook Foundation. The donor receives a tax deduction for the value of the gift at market value, and avoids capital gains taxes. BEQUEST: Bequests of cash, securities or property may be made to The Westbrook Foundation either as a specific sum or as a percentage of the donor’s estate. MEMORIAL GIFTS: A gift to The Westbrook Foundation is a meaningful way to honor a special person or create a memorial to a loved one. LIFE INSURANCE/CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES: Donors may name The Westbrook Foundation as a beneficiary of life insurance policies. In the case of annuities, donor may choose to retain income during his or her lifetime. CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST: A donor may designate The Westbrook Foundation as the beneficiary of this type of trust and still receive income during his or her lifetime. Donor receives tax deduction in the year the trust is established, and reduces estate taxes. An individual contemplating a gift to the Foundation should seek the advice of his or her attorney. This mailer was prepared as reference material, and further information, including copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the By Laws of the Foundation may be obtained from: The Westbrook Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 528 Westbrook, Connecticut 06498 Directors James M. Crawford, Chairman Bernadette Jones, Vice Chairman For more information about the Westbrook Foundation, go to www.westbrookfoundation.org. Flexibility in Giving For Further Information Brian O’Connor Joanne Marino-Murray Scholarship Honoring the memory of Joanne Marino-Murray and recognizing her efforts and dedication as chair of the Westbrook Foundation and her passion to educate the young students of Daisy Ingraham Elementary School, Joanne’s family and the Westbrook Foundation have established a scholarship in her name. It will be awarded in the amount of $1,000, to a student who is a member of the graduating class of Westbrook High School, who is a good citizen of good moral and ethical character, intending to pursue four years of higher education at an accredited institution. Applications for this scholarship, and all other Westbrook Foundation Scholarships, are due in the Westbrook High School Guidance office by May 1st. Paul Polo Harry Ruppenicker Jr., Treasurer David Russell Beverly Schirmeier Constance Vogell, Secretary Administrative Director • Calderari-Hoxsie-Schubert-Steinson Memorial • Josephine S. Crump Scholarship • Dorothy C. Hoyt Scholarship • Oscar Manstan/Richard Nolf Industrial Arts • Herbert A. Muller Jr. Memorial • Henry Ortner Memorial • Olin E. Neidlinger Music Scholarship • Elliot A. Spencer Scholarship • Raymond L. Wilson Scholarship • Westbrook Grange #123 Scholarship • Ellen S. Murphy Scholarship • Barbara Spencer Memorial Scholarships • Pat Mazeau and Myrtie Gareau Scholarship • Messerschmidt Fund • Brandon E. Norman Memorial • Marie Patrice Mazeau Scholarship • Dan Nuhn Scholarship • Shoreline Amateur Radio Club Scholarship My contribution is enclosed and I would like it to be applied to the fund principle for the following existing Scholarship. Honorary Members Edmund Binder Teri Gavigan John Hall III Robert Kindt, Jr. Judith Lowe Donald Morrison Enclosed please find my company’s matching gift form. Barbara Reeve I would prefer my gift to remain anonymous. Johanna Schneider Claire Anthony Smith Telephone No. Michael Wells, Attorney Richard Westbrook Kathryn Donlan was awarded the Pat Mazeau & Myrtie Gareau Scholarship. Jacob Jackson received the Brandon E. Norman Memorial Scholarship. The Dan Nuhn Scholarship was awarded to Amanda Strukus. The Marie Mazeau Memorial Scholarship was awarded to to Stephanie Cyphers and the Shoreline Amateur Radio Club Scholarship went to Sean Sparaco. The Class of 1993-1998 one time Scholarship went to Sean Gesner. The Barbara Spencer Memorial Scholarship was given to Sarah Luft, Olivia Tempesta and Mitchell Honan; for leadership Megan Lohutko; Good Citizenship, Callie Hagemeister and Special Awards were given to: Olivia Tempesta, Sarah Luft, Sarah Chapell, Scott Nicoll, Hailie Bromson, Jacob Collins, Sean Gesner, Colin Zehnder, Erica Martel, Kathryn Donlan, Jesse Jimenez, Mindy Khamvongsa, Amanda Strukus and Caroline Gallagher who attended Mercy High School. Twelve Westbrook residents received scholarship funds from the Messerschmidt Fund, those recipients are: Jamie Abraham, Jordan Bean, Christopher Cusano, Kenneth A. Cusano, Tyler J. Gracey, Joshua Jimenez, Jennifer Labbadia, Britney Malhotra, Dominic Panico, Ian Parman, Megan E. Pielli and Edward Vallee. Congratulations to all scholarship recipients from the Westbrook Foundation. New Middle School Sound System Spring brings with it the opening night of the Westbrook Middle School’s theatrical production. This year the robust audience of parents, relatives, friends and community members will not only be wowed by the awesome portrayal of romantic comedy, “When in Rome”, but an added feature of indelible sound will be part of the production for the first time ever, thanks to the generous grant of $17, 435 from the Westbrook Foundation, which helped the Middle School secure the purchase of their very own professional grade sound system. “Providing our budding thespians with appropriate equipment to showcase their talents is a proper way to honor their efforts and enthusiasm,” explains Chairman of the Westbrook Foundation, James Crawford. In past years, sound equipment for this annual event had to be borrowed and or rented, which was not only costly, but inconvenient and cumbersome. Address Become a partner in philanthropy through annual giving. Please make checks payable to The Westbrook Foundation, Inc. All gifts are tax-deductible. The Elliot A. Spencer Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Chapell. Merilee Sader received the Raymond L. Wilson Scholarship and Alexander Tragakes was awarded the Westbrook Grange #123 Scholarship. Karena Garrity Joanne Marino-Murray* Name The Calderari-Hoxsie-Schubert-Steinson Veterans Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Elizabeth Twigg. The Josephine S. Crump Scholarship was awarded to Brendan Raunikar. Scott Nicoll and Merilee Sader, earned the Dorothy Christopher Hoyt Scholarship. The Manstan/Nolf Memorial Industrial Arts Scholarship went to Alexander Tragakes. Stephanie Cyphers earned the Herbert A. Muller, Jr. Memorial Scholarship and Crystal Halibozek was awarded the Ellen S. Murphy Scholarship. Meghan Prevost, Stephanie Cyphers and Lauren LaDelfa were awarded the Henry Ortner Memorial Scholarship. The Olin E. Neidlinger Music Scholarship went to Olivia Tempesta. Public Relations Janet Dickey I am considering making a contribution to The Westbrook Foundation and wish to be contacted by a Director of the Foundation to discuss it. The Westbrook Foundation, a non-profit started in 1984 by school teacher Barbara Spencer, has been awarding scholarships and grants to local students and town organizations since its inception and was proud to give 26 graduating seniors, in the 2012 class, the 52nd to graduate from Westbrook High School, a total of $66,600 in scholarship monies to be used toward higher education pursuits. An additional $18,000 was given to Westbrook residents, through the Messerschmidt Scholarship Fund. Nancy J. Howard Jane Butterworth The following scholarships are awarded to Westbrook residents each year. Help to increase these scholarships by contributing to the fund principle of your choice: 2012 Scholarships * Deceased “This whole system adds so much, it has already transformed the entire theatre program and we have only had it for a few weeks,” explains Megan Mulvihill, drama club director. “In the past when we had to rent, we didn’t get the microphones until two to three days before the production and they were never to this quality. Adding the new concept for the kids that late in our rehearsals was very hard for them to adjust to. Now they start out with the microphones and go right through, which helps things run smoother and gives the kids a lot more confidence.” She adds, “Plus now parents will be able to hear their kids when they come to see them. Middle schoolers don’t have great voice projection, so this will definitely help with that and make the entire show more enjoyable for everyone involved.” Middle School principal Cori DiMaggio is very excited about the new addition to the school which will not only be used for theatre productions but spelling bees, geography bees, talent shows, fall cabaret productions and band and chorus concerts. “On behalf of the Westbrook Middle School Community and Drama Club/Advisors, I would like to thank the Westbrook Foundation for the outstanding sound system that we purchased due to their generous donation to our school. We are so grateful to have a Foundation in town that supports our schools and students. Now our students will be heard with quality sound.” The system, which includes 20 microphones, is state of the art and compatible as well as interchangeable with the high school’s sound system. The sound board can easily be hooked up to an IPod for instantly downloaded music for productions and into a video system so there is no feedback. “This is exactly what we needed and we are so glad we finally have it,” says Liz Egan drama club set director. “When the system arrived Megan and I gave each other a big hug because we knew this was a milestone for the Westbrook Middle School drama club.”
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