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The McCarthy Brothers Bond Scholarship

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On May 29th, 2025 we were able to return to Greenfield High School to present awards from the McCarthy Brothers Bond Foundation for the second year.

 

It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by. We are grateful for the support and generosity of our donors that help us to be able to “do good things.”

 

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As we did last year- Angela addressed the crowd and Mike and Colin gave out the awards. We again gave out two top awards of $750 each. Here is some information about those students:

 

Anna Bucala who will be attending Western New England University planning to major in 3 +3 psychology/occupational therapy (OTD); an accelerated program within the Psychology major that provides a pathway to the OTD program. Anna’s career goal on her application is to be a school based occupational therapist. Anna’s transcript and letters of reference are impressive to say the least. She graduated 8th out of 83 with a weighted GPA of 4.008- a transcript filled with AP and advanced courses, varsity level sports, National Honor Society member, camp counselor and soccer referee just to name a few achievements. Quotable phrases from one of her letters of recommendation include: “intellectual and inquisitive, goal driven, sets high standards inside the classroom and out on the field/court, friendly, caring, helpful, hardworking and trustworthy.” Her other letter of recommendation was filled with many of the same words and phrases. The closing paragraph included these words “I am certain that she will continue to excel personally and academically… Anna is an exceptional young woman that has a lot to offer the world around her.”

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Anna’s essay was about her bond with her younger brother Sam. Anna shared that Sam struggled with a stutter when he was younger and she was “proud to be his voice when he needed it” She believes that he has taught her “patience, empathy and how to help others without making them feel small.” Anna goes on to share “I will always be there to protect him- and I know he’ll always be there for me, too. Our relationship may take new forms as we grow, but the bond we’ve built is unbreakable.”

 

We wish Anna the very best as she starts the next chapter of her life.

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Jonathan Breor will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he will major in Civil Engineering and play football. Jon is ranked 5th in the class of 83 with a weighted GPA of 4.1788. His transcript is filled with AP and advanced level courses, several awards and achievements are listed for both academic and athletic successes. Jon is a member of the National Honor Society he is 4 year /3 sport Varsity athlete in football, basketball and track and field. His transcript also includes several volunteer roles in his community, he too has been a camp counselor,also a lifeguard and a basketball referee. Pulling some notable phrases from Jonathan’s letters of reference: “...outstanding scholar… he excels in all academic areas, he is exceptionally talented in the areas of math and science…assists others when needed, enabling them to achieve.” This letter goes on to describe Jon as “...trustworthy, respectful, athletic…a determined high achiever with enormous self-discipline.” In Jon’s other letter of reference words used to describe him include “ diligent worker, even-keeled, clear-headed…excellent partner and teammate… he responds and adjusts well to criticism and actively seeks areas for growth…he is a young man who will flourish and make wonderful contributions.”

 

Jon’s essay was about his older (by one minute) twin sister Jordan. Jon also has two other siblings but it is Jordan that “has been my best friend and inspiration” Jon shares in his essay that Jordan was born with autism and has had to navigate many challenges over their 18 years. “Seeing everything she has gone through and has overcome has made me grateful for what I have and where I am today. Jordan has inspired me to fear nothing and have the mindset that I can overcome anything.” Jon closes his essay with “..if she can get through all the obstacles life has thrown her way I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Jordan will always be my hero.”

 

We look forward to seeing what Jon will accomplish with his talents.

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We also gave out 2 additional awards of $300 each.

 

Lyla Rockwood will be attending Bryant University where she will major in Economics. Lyla too has a diverse transcript with AP and advanced level courses. Lyla is active in many clubs in school these include, National Honor Society, Sustainability Club, Library Club and Key Club. She is a volunteer at Greenfield Public LIbrary serving on the Teen Advisory Board. Lyla’s letters of recommendation include these words “Lyla sets a beautiful, but quiet, example for her peers on how to be successful…sincere, intense work ethic…a role model and an inspiration to her peers.” This letter goes on to state “I am certain she will continue to excel both academically and personally with the grace, composure and drive she has demonstrated.” Lyla’s other letter praises her hard work academically and her leadership roles in several clubs.

 

Lyla’s essay is about her younger sister Chelsey sharing the challenges they have faced growing up without a mother figure in their lives. Lyla has done her best “..to teach her what she has learned about life, friendship, and growing up, all through trial and error.” Lyla describes her sister as the “one constant in my life…going off to college will be difficult to leave her behind’ but Lyla knows their relationship wil “grow stronger as she enters the new chapter of her life.”

 

We believe Lyla will have a bright future and we wish her the best in all that she sets out to do. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Jerry Ven was our last award recipient. He will be attending UMASS Dartmouth where he will major in Business Management. Jerry also has filled his class schedule with AP and Advanced level classes. Jerry is a member of the Key club and has played on many Varsity level teams in soccer, basketball, football and track. It is apparent in Jerry’s letters of recommendation that he is a hard worker, the letters indicate that Jerry has “a strong sense of duty to his family…he has held multiple jobs throughout high school to support his family financially.” His letters share Jerry’s interest in business; he already has a small business of renovating and reselling small refrigerators. One letter writer states “ he is a young man of exceptional character, whose determination and sense of responsibility set him apart.” The other letter includes “He is likable, friendly and affable… a tireless and diligent worker.”

 

Jerry’s essay was about his sister who is 5 years older, she was an “exceptional student skipping a grade and getting straight A’s.” Compared to his sister by his parents Jerry felt like “ he wasn’t doing enough, but it also pushed me to work harder and to find my own way.” Jerry goes on to share that his sister taught him to “be responsible, to work hard and to appreciate what my family has done for me. He closes his essay with these words “Even though we are different, we both help each other grow. She helped shape me into the person I am today.”

 

We wish Jerry much success in all he sets out to accomplish.

 

 

 

 

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In total we again awarded $2,100.00.

 

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Please visit our Facebook page to watch the video taken on awards night and you can also read the blog post about this event as well.