Gloucester High School

Wellspring House Celebrates 18 Recipients at Annual Scholarship Award Celebration

~ Wellspring House

Wellspring House Marks Historic Milestone as First Scholarship Cohort Graduates College

Wellspring House celebrated 18 scholarship recipients, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, at its 2026 Scholarship Award Celebration last Thursday, June 11, 2026, marking a significant milestone for one of the organization’s signature education programs. For the first time, students from the inaugural cohort of the Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund graduated from college. 

2026 Cape Ann High School Graduate Fund Awardees

The celebration brought together scholarship recipients with their family and friends, Gloucester Public Schools representatives including Superintendent Ben Lummis, GHS Principal Dr. John Perella, Wellspring Staff, Board members and supporters, and community members to recognize students pursuing higher education, workforce training, and career advancement. The event also featured remarks from two alumni of the Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund, who reflected on their educational journeys and the support that helped them persist through college and into their careers. 

2026 Robert Clark Rogers Opportunity Fund Awardees

“Looking back, I realize success was never about having all the answers,” said scholarship alumnus Yahir Vasquez. “It came from community, being willing to make mistakes, and continuing to show up even when things felt difficult.” 

Recipients of two scholarships were honored during the event. The Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund awards up to $10,000 per academic year, and up to $40,000 per student, with the option to carry funding into a fifth year, to Gloucester residents graduating from Cape Ann high schools and pursuing a higher education degree. To be considered, students must be actively working with Wellspring or referred by a guidance counselor. The Robert Clark Rogers Opportunity Fund supports Wellspring program participants by covering education expenses that many scholarships overlook, including transportation, supplies, books, online resources, and computers. Together, the two scholarships help remove the financial barriers that can prevent students from achieving their educational and career goals. 

2022 Cape Ann High School Scholarship Fund recipient Yahir Vasquez and 2026 Scholarship recipient Anas Yousif

“Watching the first cohort of Cape Ann High School Graduates Fund students graduate from college is a moment we have worked toward for years, and it speaks to something deeper about how Wellspring works,” said Melissa Dimond, the organization’s President and Executive Director. “We meet people where they are, whether that’s a student who needs extra support navigating in their first semester or someone moving forward from a major family setback losing their housing, and we stay with them as they work toward stability and success. The long-term commitment is what makes the difference.” 

Scholarship Review Panel Members Krystal Williams, Katie O’Leary and Kristin Michel

The scholarship selection process is led by a special advisory committee made up of members of Wellspring’s staff and board of directors, and community partners. This year the committee reviewed over 35 applications, conducted interviews, and nominated the recipients based on a variety of factors, ranging but not limited to education and career goals, essays, personal statements, and financial need.  

“As a first-year Board Member at Wellspring House, I was honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Scholarship Committee. Meeting and interviewing the candidates was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time with Wellspring. Each student shared their unique passions, goals, and determination to further their education, and I was inspired by their drive and commitment to their future. “Knowing that I played a small part in helping support their educational journey is incredibly meaningful. Investing in students and their potential is truly an investment in our community’s future, and I am grateful to be involved in such an impactful program,” shared Krystal Williams, Wellspring House Board Member and AVP, Branch Manager Cape Ann Saving Bank.  

“At Wellspring, our commitment to students extends far beyond graduation. We are dedicated to supporting our participants throughout their educational journey and as they take their next steps toward career and personal success. This graduating class represents not only an important milestone, but also the beginning of new opportunities and achievements ahead. Through continued mentorship, resources, and community connections, we remain invested in helping each student reach their full potential,” said Andy Allen, Director of Education and Career Pathways, Wellspring House. 

Wellspring’s President Melissa Dimond

These scholarships are part of Wellspring’s broader Education and Career Pathways programs, which equip adults and young adults with the credentials, skills, and confidence needed to pursue education, employment, and long-term economic mobility. For many recipients, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend college, the scholarships represent more than financial assistance. Through career advising, mentorship, scholarship support, and ongoing guidance, Wellspring helps students navigate the transition from high school to college and from college into careers, creating pathways to opportunity that extend well beyond graduation day. 

Many of this year’s scholarship recipients will continue their educational journeys at institutions including North Shore Community College and Salem State University, longstanding Wellspring partners that provide accessible paths to degree attainment for North Shore students.  

The celebration reflects the scale of Wellspring’s broader reach across Cape Ann, where demand for these programs continues to grow. During the past year, 135 adults enrolled in Wellspring’s ESOL program, 100 adults prepared for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), and 87 high school seniors and recent graduates received career advising and scholarship support services. Wellspring remains the only HiSET testing site on Cape Ann and recently expanded its ESOL programming to include digital literacy and career advising. 

2022 Cape Ann High School Scholarship Fund recipient Kaelyn Battle, and 2026 Scholarship recipient Kiara Olson

These outcomes are made possible by donors, partners, and advocates who believe that financial security should be within reach for every North Shore resident.  For more information or to support these critical programs, visit wellspringhouse.org.

2026 Scholarship Awardees with special guests GHS Principal Dr. Perella and Superintendent Lummis

2026 Robert Clark Rogers Opportunity Fund Recipients: Britney Aguilar, Yaira Baez, Lizy Erazo Jesika Gutierrez, Auraylia Lord, Kiara Olson, Evan Porter, Jazmin Saloj, Molly Taormina, Julia Tremblay

2026 Cape Ann Graduate Fund Recipients: Sean Abell, Jamani Belle, Ayden Curley, Alyssa Estime, Shyia-Rose Goodrich, Jennifer Magalhaes, Jaylen Severino, Anas Yousif

All Photo Credits: Kendra Dott Photography | Sharon’s Studio of Gloucester

2025 Winners Announced in Poetry Without Paper Contest at Award Ceremony

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library proudly announced the winners of the 2025 Poetry Without Paper contest during an inspiring awards ceremony held on Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, at the Gloucester High School Library. A standing-room-only crowd of friends, families, and community members gathered to celebrate Gloucester’s young literary talents. The evening featured moving readings from the student winners, showcasing both creativity and emotional depth across all age groups.

Now in its 23rd year, Poetry Without Paper continues to ignite imagination and passion for writing among Gloucester’s youth. This year’s contest, themed New Chapter, New Stories, New Beginnings, invited students to reflect on fresh starts and new possibilities—a timely prompt as the Library prepares to move into its newly renovated and expanded space.

From nearly 200 submissions, winners were selected from three categories: elementary, middle, and high school. The contest awarded over $1,000 in prizes, including Cape Ann gift certificates for top winners and poetry books for honorable mentions. In addition to certificates and public recognition, winning poets were invited to appear on The Writer’s Block with John Ronan, a 1623 Studios production. Their work will also be featured on the Sawyer Free Library’s website.

The awards were presented by former Gloucester Poet Laureate and contest co-founder John Ronan, with newly appointed Gloucester Co Poet Laureate Heidi Wakeman. Together, they honored the accomplishments of the young poets and emphasized the importance of poetry in giving voice to the next generation.

“For more than two decades, the Sawyer Free Library has fostered a love of poetry, providing young writers with a space to express themselves,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. “This year’s entries were particularly powerful and deeply reflective—proof that poetry continues to thrive among Gloucester’s youth.”

John Ronan shared in his opening remarks, “Over the years, we’ve received thousands of poems from hundreds upon hundreds of students. And this year—like every year—I was once again impressed by the maturity, insight, and intelligence in their work. These young poets are paying close attention to the world around them and are sharing their hopes, fears, and reflections through poetry.”

Heidi Wakeman followed by saying, “Poetry is a powerful way of expressing language,” and added, “What a great night for Gloucester as we celebrate these talented young writers.”

The Poetry Without Paper contest is open each spring to Gloucester students in grades K–12. Participants are encouraged to explore a theme but may write on any topic in 30 lines or fewer. 

For more information about Poetry Without Paper, to read the winning poems, or to learn more about Sawyer Free Library’s youth programming, visit www.SawyerFreeLibrary.org 

The Sawyer Free Library extends heartfelt congratulations to all participants and winners and looks forward to the continued growth of Gloucester’s young literary voices.

Sawyer Free Library: 2025 Poetry Without Paper Winners

Elementary School Winners

1st Place:        Laszlo Jablanczy, Plum Cove, Grade 3, “Bird House”

2nd Place:        Freja Hinderlie McLanahan, Beeman, Grade 2, “The Worst Life of Bad Luck!”

3rd Place:        Sophia Deoliveira, West Parish, Grade 5, “Take care of Your Self”

HM:                 Ilani Mione, East Veterans, Grade 5, “Moving On” 

HM:                 Sigrid Fishburn, West Parish Grade 4, “New Chapter”

Middle School Winners

1st Place:        Iona Fishburn, Waring School, Grade 7, “A Poem for Francie”

2nd Place:        Yenssi Erazo, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 7, “Doubts that Won’t Go Away”

3rd Place:        Elizabeth Olson, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 8, “My Chance”

HM:                 Addy LeClaire, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 7, “Heal the Woes”

HM:                 Kendall Brown, O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Grade 7, “Growing My Wings”

High School Winners:

1st Place:        Aleena Brown, GHS, Grade 10, “Where I Belong”

2nd Place:        Emma Wilt, Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, Grade 11, “Reflection”

3rd Place:        Lacey Barry, GHS, Grade 9, “Surviving”

HM:                 Emma Hoke, GHS, Grade 9, “Notes Between the Margins”

HM:                 Vivian Payne, Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Grade 9, “Canary in the Coal Mines”

Teen Art Collage Project on view at SFL@21 Main Street

~ Sawyer Free Library

Every ninth grader at Gloucester High School is represented in the Tween | Teen Zone at SFL @ 21 Main Street with squares they designed to ‘speak’ for themselves.

The public is invited to come and see this beautiful collaborative collage!

The students participated in this collaborative art activity as part of a Library Information Session that Gloucester High School coordinated by SFL Teen Librarian Meg O’Neil and GHS Librarian Samantha Teixeira.

During Teen Librarian Meg’s visits to Gloucester High School, she had an opportunity to share all about library resources and facilities, ensuring that all students have an SFL card and know about the Tween and Teen Zone as a free, public, safe community space.

For more information about the SFL Tween/Teen Zone at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or visit Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street, Gloucester.

2022 Poetry Without Paper Award Ceremony Celebrating 20 years of Creativity

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library hosted the 2022 Poetry Without Paper Contest winners Thursday evening, June 9th.

Children’s Librarian Christy Rosso, PWP Winners Olivia Hogan Lopez, Kathleen Rowe Joyce, Jack Frishsen, Emma Wilt, Esme Sarrouf, Riley Cavanaugh, Aleena Brown and PWP Judge John Ronan

The award-winning students read their poetry to a standing-room-only crowd filled with friends and family and then recognized for their achievements. John Ronan, former Poet Laureate of Gloucester, and Christy Rosso, the Sawyer Free’s Children’s Librarian, presented the awards. Ronan, who serves as one of the contest judges and co-conceived the contest 20 years ago, stated, “I believe that there are probably future Nobel Poet Laureates among tonight’s winners. The caliber of creativity and writing this year was outstanding. We should be proud of all the students that participated.”

The Sawyer Free Library’s Poetry without Paper Contest has celebrated thousands of local students’ outstanding writing for the past 20 years while engaging the community’s youth in the art form and encouraging them to use poetry as a creative expression.  

Winners were chosen from each age group: high school, middle school, and elementary school. First-place winners in all categories received $150 Cape Ann gift certificates, second-place winners a $100 gift certificates, and third-place winners a $50 gift certificate with Honorable Mention awarded a poetry book. All winning poets receive a certificate and an invitation to appear on 1623 Studio’s production, The Writer’s Block with John Ronan.

The 2022 Winning Poets:

High School:      

First Place: “Tears of the Chrysanthemum” by Olivia Hogan-Lopez, GHS, 12th Grade

Middle School:    

First Place:   “Ascending like Icarus” by Emma Wilt, O’Maley, 8th Grade

Second Place:  “The Wrong Picture” by Esme Sarrouf, Homeschool, 8th Grad

Third Place:  “Cracked, but Never Broken” by Aleena Brown, O’Maley, 7th Grad

Honorable Mentions:  “The Owl” by Riley Cavanaugh, O’Maley, 7th Grade

“Where I’m From”, Emily Rattray, O’Maley, 7th Grade

Elementary School     

First Place:  “Magical Books”, Kathleen Rowe-Joyce, West Parish, 3rd Grade

Second Place: “Fifth Grade”, Gabriella McKearney, Plum Cove, 5th Grade

Third Place:  “Friends” by Elizabeth Olson, Beeman, 5th Grade

Honorable Mentions: “Lost” by Bianca Numerosi, Plum Cove, 4th Grade

“Gravity” by Jack Frithsen, West Parish, 2nd Grade