PEABODY — There may not have been golf, but there were smiles all around at Salem Country Club Monday as the club celebrated its 27th annual Peabody Golf Day.
Eight high-school seniors were honored as 2021 Joseph O’ Boyle Memorial Scholarship Fund scholars.
“We were impressed by the number of applications, and it’s a tough decision, as always,” said Memorial Scholarship Fund Co-chairman and member Steve Richards. “These students are so talented and they have worked so hard, so this is our opportunity to give back.”
In normal times, the event, now in its 27th year, includes a double-shotgun golf tournament open to residents and employees of the City of Peabody, with proceeds used to fund the scholarships.
But these are not normal times.
“We were disappointed that golf had to be canceled again, but we still wanted to be able to support and honor the kids,” said Richards. “We wish all of them the best knowing they are very well-equipped to succeed. They will make their families, the city of Peabody, and Salem C.C. very proud.”
The scholarships are for college-bound seniors who reside in Peabody, attend either Peabody High or Bishop Fenwick and have excelled in leadership, athletics, academics and community service. A total of $30,000 was awarded, bringing the total to more than $400,000 awarded in the fund’s history.
This year’s scholars are Peabody High’s Olivia Barrete, Lily Bromberger, Sophie Izzo and Amber Kiricoples, and Fenwick’s Colby Browne, Cade Buckley, Aidan Dwyer and Hannah Johnson.
Barrete is a top-five ranked student and vice president of the National Honor Society (NHS). A member of the Massachusetts DECA executive board, she competed in community service, entrepreneurship and innovation categories at the state level.
She tutored math, played volleyball, ran indoor track and has supported the Big Buddies program. She will attend Northeastern University, majoring in mathematics and business administration.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this scholarship,” Barrete said. “This will make a huge difference in paying for my college education.”
Bromberger, also a top-five student, will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she plans to major in engineering. She was on the swim and field hockey teams, played in the school band and was part of the Youth Advisory Council. She was a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC and volunteered at Haven From Hunger.
Johnson, another top student, has actively volunteered with the Jimmy Fund, helping to create the fund’s “Back to School” video. The video helps cancer patients adjust to going back to school and also helps support administrators on how to successfully acclimate patients back into the school environment.
Johnson is also active with “Teen Chats,” a program that discusses multiple topics that teens may be dealing with as they go through treatment. Johnson, peer mentor, leader and member of the volleyball team, will study nursing at Emmanuel College.
Browne will attend High Point University and major in business administration. He played football, basketball, ran track and was active in student government. He was involved with the Best Buddies program and was active in several school fund-raising events.
Izzo played four years of varsity lacrosse and field hockey. She was a member of the Ski Club, National Honor Society and the International Club, and plans to major in health sciences at the University of Vermont.
Kiricoples, co-president of the senior class, will attend Bentley University and play soccer. She is a member of the National Honor Society, three-sport captain in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, and was named the 2020 Essex Media Group Person of the Year for Peabody. For the latter, she was recognized for conducting numerous community events to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. She has also been an active participant on the Student Youth Advisory Council.
Buckley will attend St. Joseph’s College in Maine where he plans to major in business administration/sports management and play on the golf team. The four-year member of the Crusaders’ golf team has also played basketball during his high school career. Buckley’s community service includes volunteering with the Stock Club and My Brother’s Table, a soup kitchen in Lynn.
Dwyer will attend Xavier University where he plans to major in business administration. The three-sport captain (indoor and outdoor track, soccer), has earned Central Catholic Conference All-Star honors in soccer. This spring, he joined the football team as a placekicker. He volunteered with St. John the Baptist, Best Buddies, Fenwick’s Good Friday Walk, and the Dominican Republic Mission Trip to the Caribbean.
For Browne, being named an O’Boyle scholar speaks volumes about the club’s commitment to the city.
“I really appreciate the award, but it goes beyond the money,” Browne said. “I grew up in Peabody schools before going to Fenwick. We always talk about the meaning of Peabody pride. That’s what this is and I am grateful.”