LRSF recognizes first recipients of newly-created Legacy Scholarship

LACONIA ― Past and current trustees of the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation recently gathered to recognize Carlos Cardona and Ella Poire as the first recipients of the LRSF Legacy Scholarship. Introduced in celebration of the foundation’s 70th anniversary, the scholarship was created to honor past trustees whose vision established the organization and whose service continues to expand educational opportunity for local students.

The LRSF Legacy Scholarship recognizes the foresight, leadership, and guidance of the foundation’s trustees over the past seven decades. It preserves their story while supporting students who will carry their commitment to education into the future.

Cardona is a returning adult learner attending Southern New Hampshire University. His educational journey reflects the determination and lifelong pursuit of learning that the scholarship is designed to support.

Poire, a 2026 graduate of Gilford High School, will attend Lakes Region Community College. As she begins the next stage of her education, she represents a new generation of local students building on the opportunities created by those who came before them.

As Cardona and Poire continue their education, they join a 70-year tradition of learning, community support, and opportunity. The foundation is proud to welcome them into the continuing legacy of the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation.

The foundation’s story began in 1956, when a small committee of civic leaders recognized the need for greater educational opportunity in the Lakes Region. Representing local clubs, businesses, and individuals, they united around a shared purpose: helping area residents continue their education. In the first year, eight donors provided $2,650 in scholarships to 17 students.

The original trustees established a mission that has guided the foundation for seven decades: promoting and encouraging scholarships and opportunities for higher education among residents of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. They also created an enduring model of community partnership among donors, volunteers, schools, and students.

During its 70th anniversary year, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million to 401 students with the support of 294 donors. Since 1956, LRSF has awarded nearly $12 million to more than 6,800 recipients throughout the Lakes Region. These milestones demonstrate how a local initiative, sustained over time, can create opportunity for generations of students.

For more information, visit lrscholarship.org.