Nathan Griffith and Christine Pingol named 2023 Walsh Scholarship winners

GILFORD — The Cheryl Lynn Walsh Memorial Scholarships were presented at the Gilford High School Senior Awards Night in June, and the Gilford Rotary Club announced that Nathan Griffith and Christine Pingol were this year’s scholarship winners.

Griffith plans to earn a degree in business administration at Coastal Carolina University and then find a job in business. His community service included working as the basketball team manager, and during his senior year, he traveled to Mazunte, Mexico, with the Mazunte and Palmarito Sea Turtle Rescue. Many veterinarians make the trip every year to spay and neuter dogs and cats. This helps reduce the population of animals, so they don't eat the turtles.

Pingol plans to attend the University of Rhode Island with a major in nursing. Throughout high school, she excelled in honors-level courses, AP subjects and some college-level courses such as Spanish and literature. A member of the National Honor Society, Pingol has been an active volunteer in various NHS outreach programs since her sophomore year. In the community, she has been involved in Girl Scouts and her church, St. Andre Bessette Parish.

The award and scholarship are presented annually by the Gilford Rotary Club for students who display Cheryl’s character, promise and aspirations. With the presentation of the 35th annual Cheryl Walsh Scholarship, over $87,000 has been presented to 54 graduating Gilford High School seniors.

The scholarship was started and was first presented in 1989. Gilford Rotary initially funded the scholarship with seed money, which was invested conservatively. The earnings, together with contributions by committee members, family members and friends, has provided grants from $500 to $3,000 over the years.

Recipients also receive a silver commemorative bowl, a citation and the grant at Senior Awards Night. In May, a selection committee of board members, friends and past recipients conduct interviews to select the recipients. The scholarship has traditionally attracted the brightest and most talented leaders and scholar/athletes of the senior class.

Contributions may be made to The Cheryl Lynn Walsh Memorial Scholarship Foundation, c/o Treasurer, Gilford Rotary, Inc., P.O. Box 7091, Gilford, NH 03247-7091.