N. GROSVENORDALE — Seven local high school students were honored as the 2014 recipients of TEEG’s annual scholarship. The scholarship was established in 2004 to honor students from Thompson, Woodstock, and Pomfret who have exemplified the spirit of community activism through work in their schools and communities.  

Molly McDermott Schroder of Pomfret School, who will attend Colby Sawyer College in the fall, received a $1,000 scholarship award. McDermott Schroder was awarded the top scholarship due to her involvement in volunteer services at Day Kimball Hospital and her high school. She also was involved as a soccer referee in the community.

The other recipients, who each received $500 awards, are:

Galina Gruder of Woodstock Academy, who will attend Johnson and Wales University, received the scholarship for her dedication as a community organizer for Rerun Shoes, which benefits the cultivation of micro businesses in Africa, as well as her presence on the Board of Directors of the Woodstock Academy nonprofit FRESH;

Sean Salisbury of Woodstock Academy, who will attend Bridgewater State, received the scholarship for his involvement in Future Farmers of America, as well as the animal rescue groups PAWS and Dog Orphans;

Matthew Rich of Woodstock Academy, who will attend the University of New Hampshire in the fall, received the scholarship due to his involvement in FRESH, Relay for Life, and his achievements in the Latin Honor Society;

Chrystelle Ranhoff of Woodstock Academy, who will attend Curry College in the fall, received the scholarship due to her involvement in local nursing homes, fire departments, and for her time as an emergency medical responder;

Michael Raczkowski of Tourtellottee Memorial High School, who will attend Universal Technical Institute, received his scholarship for his involvement in building TEEG’s raised garden beds, as well as designing and helping fabricate planters and vegetable carts for the community;

Allison Tupaj of Tourtellotte Memorial High School, who will attend Springfield College in the fall, received her scholarship due to her involvement as a TEEG volunteer in the food pantry, for her action in raising awareness of homelessness, involvement in the National Honor Society, and Relay for Life.