The Essex Garden Club is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2023 college scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to students who are pursuing studies related to the environment.

This year scholarships totaling $20,000 were awarded to the following six area students:

Emma Carey, a 2020 graduate of Valley Regional High School, is a junior at the University of Delaware. She is majoring in Plant Science with minors in soil science and landscape horticulture. Emma is a Division 1 athlete on the University of Delaware’s rowing team.

Tabitha Hardgrove, a 2020 graduate of Valley Regional High School and a junior at Rochester Institute of Technology, is pursuing a degree in biology. She is a member of the Community Garden and Beekeeping Club at the school. Tabitha’s goal is to obtain a position with Fish and Wildlife Services to assist with local wildlife conservation.

Anna Benson is a senior at Valley Regional High School. Anna will attend Northeastern University in the fall and major in biology. Anna is the President of the Interact Club at Valley, which is an organization dedicated to the service of others.

Nathaniel Hill, a 2021 graduate of Valley Regional High School and a sophomore at the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, is pursuing a degree in natural resources. Nathaniel is interested in biodiversity initiatives and plans to study in Galway, Ireland, in the spring of 2024 to expand his knowledge of how small communities create and implement biodiversity action plans.

Michael McCauley is a 2022 graduate of Xavier High School. Patrick will be a sophomore at Union College in the Fall of 2023. His intended major is Environmental Policy. You can frequently see Patrick hiking the trails at Canfield Meadow Woods with his dog.

Jack Finnegan is a senior at Valley Regional High School and will be pursuing a degree in computer science (with an interest in the environment) at MIT. Jack has been a class officer for four years and a baseball player. He plans to explore ways his academic interest in computer science meshes with his love of nature and concern for the planet.

In addition, the garden club will provide scholarships to help 43 children from the Essex communities attend area environmental camps offered by The Incarnation Center, Camp Hazen, and Essex Parks and Recreation.

The proceeds from the club’s annual May Market make these scholarships possible, along with generous grants received from The Kitchings Family Foundation and Essex Savings Bank. The club thanks all who supported this endeavor.

For more information, visit essexgardenclubct.org