Environmental Scholarship Supports Aspiring Student

The end of the school year brings excitement as dreams begin to turn into reality.  For Adams High School Senior Carli Fraccarolli, her dream to help heal the earth through the study of environmental science became easier thanks to a scholarship from the Rochester Garden Club.  “I want to be a hands-on environmentalist and work directly on projects like improving water quality and reforestation”, said Carli. She loves to be outdoors, has her own garden and has helped with community gardens in urban centers. 

The Rochester Garden Club, a branch of the Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association, has supported students like Carli for many years, with gifts totaling almost $50,000.  Students interested in careers that enhance knowledge of the natural world, such as Ecology, Botany, and Horticulture could qualify for similar financial support. “We work with the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester to find qualified students and assure the money is handled properly.  Without their help, our scholarship program would not be as effective”, said Susan Gerrits, Chair of the Rochester Garden Club Education Committee.

Every spring, the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester confers scholarships on dozens of high school seniors from Rochester, Adams and Stoney Creek high schools. Funds from local non-profits and endowed scholarships are awarded to deserving students who are recognized for outstanding achievement and for having specific goals that meet scholarship criteria. For Carli, the support means she can follow her heart and passion”to create a sustainable, self sufficient and everlasting world that my generation and future generations will benefit from”.  That is a worthy goal, indeed.