The Babcock Family

To the editor,

This year the Nathan J. Babcock Memorial Scholarship Fund was able to award scholarships totaling $17,000 to 17 deserving young adults, to assist in their post secondary college endeavors! The Nate Fund had 50 applications overall for scholarships, 40 from the three area high school (Belmont, Gilford, Laconia) seniors, and 10 from area students already in college. Seven students were from Gilford High School, three students from Belmont High School, as well as three students from Laconia High School. Four existing college students were rewarded for their outstanding volunteerism and compassion towards others.

The Nathan J. Babcock Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by the Babcock Family in late 2005, shortly after 18 year old Nathan lost his battle against cancer. Our goal was to financially support area students in their post secondary pursuits as a way to honor Nathan. Nate was a true giver in every sense of the word. Whether it was a formal event such as the Special Olympics, or just helping a friend, Nate was always there to lend a hand. He never expected anything in return, believing it was what he was supposed to be doing. So the Nathan Awards are given to students that best exemplify kindness and compassion in their daily lives. We want to reward these givers, the hardworking young adults that set an example for many of us with their daily acts of helping and caring.

For those wonderful students who were not selected, please know your acts of kindness did not go unnoticed. You see, we received 50 absolutely impressive applications. Every applicant should feel proud of your many efforts to reach out to others and should keep up the good work! The purpose of the Nate Fund is not only to reward some for their efforts financially, but also to reinforce the efforts of others, and to encourage them to continue to make kindness and compassion a way of life, because it truly does have its own rewards.

The 10 member Board of Directors, that so graciously spent many hours grading and selecting, cannot be thanked enough. And we were all still friends after that long and gut-wrenching selection meeting! Again, thank you for helping the Babcock Family make this program special, like its namesake.

The Nate Fund could not exist at this present rate without the fantastic support we get from the Milligan Family, and the Milligan Memorial Golf Tournament. Thank you so much Gerry and Barbara, Tom, Michelle, and Katie, for including us in your grand scheme of things. Together we have helped a whole lot of kids!

Gilford students receiving scholarships are: Megan Wernig, Amber Matsumoto, Heather Blandford, Kori Low, Danielle Dean, Amy Meyers, and Victoria Seager.

Belmont students who received scholarships are: Carolyn Reep, Reid Plimpton, and Kelsey McGettigan.

Laconia students rewarded for their kind efforts are: Jeff Breault, Rebecca Bader, and Joshua Bennett.

The Babcock Family

Gilford