Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation celebrates 55th anniversary by 'Sharing Success Stories'

LACONIA — The Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation (LRSF) celebrate its 55th anniversary by reviving its 50th anniversary theme of "Sharing Success Stories" from past recipients.

Susan Brown, Lakes Region Floral Studio owner, floral designer, and new trustee for LRSF, said, “I am pleased to be a part of the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, which reinforces the importance of college and helps students achieve their educational goals. The foundation gave me a helping hand in my freshman year and senior year at Rivier College. I feel fortunate to be able to run a successful business in my home town, as well as to give back to the local community. By being involved with worthwhile fundraisers, such as the Red Dress Gala, St. Baldrick’s, Children’s Auction Ball, and the WOW Ball, I am also teaching my children how important it is to give back. I look forward to ‘giving back’ to the LRSF by promoting and encouraging scholarships and opportunities for higher education.”

Joan Cormier, executive director of LRSF explained, “Although our official anniversary of incorporation is February 16, spring of 2010 actually marked 55 years of awarding scholarships. The zealous efforts of a handful of concerned citizens, along with the generosity of local organizations and individuals, gave birth to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation in 1956. That first year a total of $2,650 was awarded to 16 students by eight donors. Since then, nearly $3.9 million has been awarded to 3,825 college-bound students — thanks to the generosity of 470 donors or donor funds, not including the thousands of individual donors, who have contributed to special memorial funds or specific fundraisers. Wouldn’t the original organizers be impressed with that proud record!"

Cormier added, “The American Heritage Dictionary defines success as: 'To accomplish something desired or attempted.' We realize that not all of our past recipients were able to achieve their initial goals, and some may have altered the course of their original plans, but we hope that being given an opportunity to attend college did make a difference. The responses received five years ago were heartwarming proof of that. We were also pleased to learn that most of our past recipients were involved in their community, like Susan Brown, and giving back to others. Throughout the coming year, we hope to share more success stories with the donors who made it possible for us to fulfill our mission in the Lakes Region, as well as recognize past recipients, who made it all worthwhile."

To participate in LRSF's Sharing Success Stories campaign, visit www.scholarship.org and complete the attached form. For a list of the donors, call 527-3533 or e-mail scholarship@metrocast.net.

CAPTION: Marking the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation's 55th anniversary with a redux of the theme "Sharing Success Stories" are Joan Cormier (right), LRSF executive director, and Susan Brown (left), Lakes Region Floral Studio owner and new trustee for LRSF. (Courtesy photo)