This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Nicole Burton Captures October Dawn Scholarship

 

Nicole Burton put together a very nice record at Huntington High School, graduating last June after being recognized in the spring as a Distinguished Senior. The teenager will study nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Ms. Burton is this year’s recipient of the October Dawn scholarship award presented in memory of Kathryn A. DeGelleke, a special education teacher and Centerport resident who passed away September 22, 2009 after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 53 years old.

Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mrs. DeGelleke worked in the district as a home tutor and provided instructional support services. Her husband, Scott presented Ms. Burton with the $2,000 stipend the award carries. Scholarship applicants are asked to submit a one-page essay detailing what obstacles they have overcome in high school, their future plans and why they believe they should be awarded the scholarship.

Ms. Burton is “thrilled” to be attending UMass Amherst, the flagship campus in the University of Massachusetts system. She credits her high school academic success to the “support and encouragement” she received from her teachers, friends “and most all” her family.

Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Nicole is a mature, responsible, hardworking young woman who is a favorite among her teachers,” said Bernadette Walsh, Huntington’s college counselor. “She is a conscientious student who takes every opportunity to practice, relearn and ask questions in class in order to fully comprehend difficult subject matter. She enjoys the challenge of her classes and is one of the hardest working students in the class.”

The teenager enjoyed taking science courses at Huntington High School, especially a chemistry class with teacher Edward Florea. One of the highlights of her high school years came when Ms. Burton participated in a career internship as a senior with reading teacher Jennifer Riccoboni.

Ms. Burton was an active participant in Huntington’s Relay For Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society as well as Ride Sally Ride fundraisers held in honor of the first woman in space who was felled by pancreatic cancer. Ms. Burton has also been one of the most sought after babysitters in town.

“Nicole looks forward to the next chapter of her academic life and I am confident that she will be a solid student in college,” Mrs. Walsh said. “She has the interest, desire and the drive. Nicole has tremendous potential. Perhaps what I will remember most about Nicole is her character. She is an honest, caring, noble young woman whom I am proud to have worked with.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?