Brewster’s Curvey Scholar Program for Lakes Region students continues to thrive

WOLFEBORO — On Oct. 15 Brewster Academy held its annual Curvey Scholar reception, named for longtime supporter, school Trustee, and Lakes Region summer resident James Curvey. This year, 10 Lakes Region students in the Curvey Scholars program gathered outside on Brewster’s Lucas Wheeler Terrace with its view of Wolfeboro Bay and met, socially distanced, with their benefactor, James Curvey. Brewster’s Head of School Craig Gemmell spoke about Curvey’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for students in the Lakes Region and the alignment with Brewster's vision to “transform education, communities, and the lives of students in our care.”

Curvey Scholar Mitchell Coope ’21, a Wolfeboro resident and senior prefect, reflected on the privilege and responsibility of being part of the program, noting that “There have been four senior prefects who were Curvey Scholars,” demonstrating the commitment to leadership that the Curvey Scholar program fosters.

Over the years, the Curvey Scholar program has grown and now offers three layers of student support. James Curvey began the program in 2009, providing deserving students from Wolfeboro, Alton, and other Lakes Region communities who may not otherwise be able to afford it, an opportunity to study at Brewster. Then, in 2017, the Curveys expanded that program with a fellowship that helps Brewster students gain valuable life experience through travel. Most recently, Curvey expanded his support for educational opportunities once again when he created The James C. Curvey Endowed Scholarship Fund for Brewster Academy at Villanova University. It financially supports one Brewster student each year to attend Villanova, his alma mater, with a $15,000 annual scholarship. In the announcement last year, alumni of both Brewster and Villanova, as well as the University’s president, spoke of the similarities between the two schools: intimate class sizes, community service, a focus on students’ individual success, and championship basketball.

“It is always heartwarming to see the students who have been selected to be a Curvey Scholar,” said Curvey, who was joined at this year’s gathering by his son, Scott. “A quality education is what impacted my life trajectory, and I believe it is the essential foundation for opportunity. I look forward to watching the growth and achievement of our Brewster Curvey Scholars, and see their transformation so clearly each and every year.”

The current group of Curvey Scholars at Brewster are

2017-18

Mitchell Coope, Wolfeboro

Jillian Pollini, Melvin Village

Reid Demain, Wolfeboro

2018-19

Caleb Brennion, Wolfeboro

T. J. O’Keefe, Wolfeboro

Olivia Tibbs, Alton

2019-20

Andrew do Carmo, Wolfeboro

Abigail Jarvi, Gilford

Tyler Rizzitano, Gilford

2020-21

Cailean Corbally, Wolfeboro

Grayson Mouradian, New Durham

Rylee Rizzitano, Gilford

Previous years’ Scholars have gone on to attend colleges and universities including Brown, Ohio Wesleyan, Colgate, George Washington, WPI, Bentley, Auburn, and Villanova.

For more information about James Curvey and the programs he has established, visit brewsteracademy.org/curveyscholars