Nantucket Scholar Program

The Nantucket Scholar Program awards two Nantucket High School graduating seniors a four-year, tuition and fees scholarship to the college or university of their choice. Applicants are evaluated based on character, scholarship, and personal experience, including extracurricular, volunteer and work experience.


The first Nantucket Scholars were named in 2006. Since 2023, all finalists of the program have been awarded a renewable scholarship to the college or university of their choice. Scholars and Finalists have gone on to receive degrees at prestigious institutions and pursue careers across a wide range of industries.

Process

Scholarship Programs are introduced at a meeting at the high school and applications go live.

  • Who is eligible to apply for the Nantucket Scholar program?

    An applicant must plan on attending and be accepted as a full-time student for the academic year following their high school graduation. An applicant must be accepted to an accredited college or university providing a course of study leading to the awarding of a bachelor's degree. Children of full-time, year-round employees of the Nantucket Golf Club are not eligible to apply.

  • How are Nantucket Scholar applicants evaluated?

    Candidates will be evaluated on scholarship, personal experience, leadership, and character by a 5-member review committee. This includes academic performance, critical thinking, educational ambition, extracurricular activities, work experience, community service, creativity, capacity to overcome adversity, and adherence to school values and policies.

  • What application materials are required?

    Evaluation materials include an academic transcript, resume, essays, a video submission, and letters of recommendation. Following the written application, semi-finalist and finalist candidates are interviewed and invited to participate in other activities organized by the Scholar Review Committee.

  • Is financial need taken into consideration?

    Yes, financial need is taken into consideration. All applicants are required to provide their Student Aid Index (SAI) in their applications. This is an eligibility index number that is calculated based on the information an applicant provides in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Essentially this number measures how much a student and their family should be able to contribute to their educational costs. 

Review Committee

Thomas Bresette, Executive Director, Nantucket Golf Club Foundation

Michael Cozort, Former Superintendent, Nantucket Public Schools

Alan Cunha, Owner & Operator, Le Languedoc Restaurant

Peter Greenhalgh, Retired, Sales Professional

Jonelle Gurley, Director of Science & Programs, Maria Mitchell Association

Professional Scholarship Program

The Professional Scholarship Program provides renewable scholarships to students who have exhibited a demonstrated interest in a professional program and plan to pursue further education and technical training to gain employment in their chosen field. Applicants are evaluated based on scholarship, character, and career experience and goals.


This program was introduced in 2018. Students awarded this scholarship have gone on to pursue degrees in nursing, education, welding, automotive technology, and more.

Process

Scholarship Programs are introduced at a meeting at the high school and applications go live.

  • Who is eligible to apply for the Professional Scholarship Program?

    An applicant must plan on attending and be accepted as a full-time student for the academic year following their high school graduation. An applicant must be accepted to an accredited program that leads to employment in their chosen professional field upon graduation. Children of full-time, year-round employees of the Nantucket Golf Club are not eligible to apply.

  • What is a professional program?

    NGCF considers professional programs to be programs that allow a student to take a licensure exam or have specific certification that leads to employment in that field. Examples of accepted programs include, but are not limited to, automotive technology, architecture, construction management, cosmetology, culinary arts, education, marine technology, nursing and health sciences, and skilled trades.

  • How are Professional Scholarship applicants evaluated?

    Candidates will be evaluated on scholarship, character, and career experience and goals by a 5-member review committee. A demonstrated interest in the professional field of choice (through school experience, the School to Career program, employment, etc.) is an important component. 

  • What application materials are required?

    Evaluation materials include an academic transcript, essay, a video submission, and letters of recommendation. Following the written application, applicants and finalist candidates are interviewed and invited to participate in other activities organized by the Professional Scholarship Review Committee.

  • Is financial need taken into consideration?

    Yes, financial need is taken into consideration. All applicants are required to provide their Student Aid Index (SAI) in their applications. This is an eligibility index number that is calculated based on the information an applicant provides in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Essentially this number measures how much a student and their family should be able to contribute to their educational costs.

Review Committee

Thomas Bresette, Executive Director, Nantucket Golf Club Foundation

Michael Cozort, Former Superintendent, Nantucket Public Schools

Grace Hull, Director of Member Services, Nantucket Golf Club

Amy Lee, President & COO, Nantucket Cottage Hospital

Roberto Santamaria, Executive Director, Fairwinds

Past Recipients

Nantucket Scholars

2025

Biliana Dountcheva, Brown University

Cecilia Wendelken, Maine Maritime Academy


2024

Henry Crosby, Georgetown University

Archie Ferguson, New York University

Chloe Marrero, University of Massachusetts Amherst


2023

Ellie Kinsella, Northeastern University

Wes Thornewill, Boston University


2022

Sarah Hanlon, Middlebury College

Maryann Vasquez-Cruz, University of Massachusetts Amherst


2021

JohnCarl McGrady, Williams College

Cameron Strojny, Fairfield University


2020

Brianna Leveille, University of San Diego

Phaedra Plank, Wellesley College


2019

Jenna Genthner, Bates College

Jennifer Lamb, Northeastern University


2018

Carter Snell, University of Vermont

Deana Weatherly, Wellesley College


2017

Evan Borzilleri, University of California Berkeley

Sophie Kuhl, Brown University


2016

Claire MacKay, Bates College

Frances Steadman, Villanova University

2015

Lisa Genthner, Dartmouth College

Mia Silverio, Georgetown University


2014

Isabella Day, Georgetown University

James Roggeveen, MIT


2013

Wisima Nipatnantaporn, Emerson College

Joseph Zieff, Middlebury College


2012

Eve Manghis, Harvard University

Codie Perry, Boston College


2011 

Will Horyn, Villanova University

Ash Inglis, Harvard University


2010

Ashley Clinger, Sacred Heart University

Caroline Stanton, Vassar College


2009

River Bennett, University of Virgina

Samantha Reis, Richmond University


2008

Anita Elahi, George Washington University

Tomas Smaliorius, Bucknell University


2007

Anna Burnham, DePaul University

Samantha Pillion, Wellesley College


2006

Kelsey Fredericks, Connecticut College

Rachel Schneider, Sarah Lawrence College

Nantucket Scholar Finalists (*finalist awards began in 2023)

2025

Adney Brannigan, Saint Michael’s College

Andrea Bunlerssak, Wesleyan University

Viktoria Dimitrova, Fairfield University

Elijah Holland, College of William & Mary

Boyan Kalpazanov, Purdue University

Madeline Lombardi, Marist University

Nora Sullivan, Endicott College

Owen Sullivan, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute



2024

Aiden Congdon, Clemson University

Lauren Cutone, George Washington University

Joan Harris, Colgate University

Benton Killion, University of Strathclyde

Rocky Monto, Haverford College

Emerson Pekarcik, High Point University

Anna Popnikolova, Harvard University

Rodane Watson, University of Massachusetts Boston

2023

Eliza Brown, Syracuse University

Kipper Buccino, University of Maine Orono

Diego De Lima Dias, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Quinn Keating, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Mihail Minevski, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Aiden Sullivan, Merrimack College

Sarah Swenson, Smith College

Karson Wellington, University of Massachusetts Boston

Ryan Whelden, University of Michigan


Professional Scholarship Awardees

2025

Conrad Burns, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Hansen Dalton, Roger Williams University

Cecilia Gagnon, Clemson University

Maddeline Muise, University of New Hampshire

Merlin Orellana Rivas, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Martina Savova, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Tinita Sirisophapong, Simmons University

Curren Wiggin, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Rita Wood, College of Charleston

Samantha Zadroga, Fairfield University


2024

Alison Bamber, Sacred Heart University

Alondra Barragan, Wheaton College

Colin Christie, Shenandoah University

Aubrey Connors, Merrimack College

Tatum Corbett, Endicott College

Michael Culkins, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Brooke Damian, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Hannah Gerardi, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Chloe Girvin, Syracuse University

Hannah Harrington, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Claire Misurelli, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Brian Osorio-Portillo, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Sarah ‘Lily’ Remick, Endicott College

Griffin Starr, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Andrea Tejada-Hercules, Cape Cod Community College



2023

Jack Billings, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Edenilson Chacon, Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology

Samuel Cristler, University of Mississippi

James Cronin, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Stella Glowacki, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Hunter Gross, ECAM Lasalle

Maddux Hinson, Maine College of Art

Evan Keeler, Johnson & Wales University

Colin Lynch, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Sean Murphy, University of Miami

Sara Marshall, Clemson University

Olivia Scott, Simmons University

Luke Stringer, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Nathalia Tobar Tejada, Cape Cod Community College

Gabriel Zinser, Belmont University

2022

Alejandro Chacon, New England Institute of Technology

Emma Davis, Sacred Heart University

Emily Dussault, Merrimack College

Kimla Francis, Fitchburg State University

Shane Hanlon, Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology

Finnbarr Kelly, California Polytechnic State University

Maudjeani Pelissier, University of New Haven

Jacob Santikulanont, Culinary Institute of America

Zachary Wallingford, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Justin Zadroga, Massachusetts Maritime Academy


2021

Anah Booms, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Tadhg Cawley, Johnson & Wales University

Isabella Cutone, University of New Hampshire

Charles Hickman, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Samuel Hofford, Belmont University

Matthew McFarlane, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Nazir Thompson, New York University

Oscar Waldman, Massachusetts College of Art and Design


2020

Charlie Clarke, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Alexander Corkish, New England Institute of Technology

Camron Diadoti, New England Institute of Technology

Jackson Milne, Wentworth Institute of Technology


2019

Gideon Holdgate, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Michael Bartley, Johnson and Wales University

Malkia Blake, Culinary Institute of America



2018

Blaise Flegg, New England Institute of Technology

Brianna Falconer, Johnson and Wales University