Memorial Scholarships

Shenendehowa Dollars for Scholars invites members of the community to offer Memorial Scholarships, as these families have, to celebrate the lives of their loved ones.  Contact Ann White (518/371.9048 or email: adwhite@nycap.rr.com) to discuss various funding approaches.

Nicole Marie Lee was an honor student at Shenendehowa Central School until her death at the age of 16 on June 28th, 1996. The scholarship bearing her name was set up to honor her memory and to acknowledge those students who share her amazing spirit, compassion for others, and determination through adversity. Nicole faced her incredible challenges with such grace, dignity and unstoppable optimism, and it is our hope that her scholarship can inspire graduating seniors to appreciate their precious gift of “life” as she did.

Adam Haswell, a Shenendehowa Central School student until his death at the age of 17 on October 27, 2003, loved life and people.  When anyone ever needed help, Adam was always there.  He loved sports, especially baseball, and was a catcher for 7 years with the Halfmoon Baseball League.  The  scholarship bearing his name was set up to honor his memory and to acknowledge  those students who share his willingness to help others and to understand  people's differences, whose outgoing personality and ability to maintain a  positive attitude through happiness and adversity serve as a model to others.

Adeline Haswell, a secretary in the Shenendehowa High School Counseling Center, was instrumental in encouraging students to participate in the Dollars for Scholars program since its founding. Adeline was a lovely person who welcomed everyone freely, openly, unconditionally into the guidance office with a "How can I help you?" Her warm smile and her desire to make everyone feel valued encouraged others to reflect her generosity of spirit and goodness.

Susan Jill Hughes attended Tesago Elementary School as a child and taught grade 2 there for five years before her death in February, 2004 at the age of 28. Her love of her students, of reading, and of everyone around her and her effervescence were well known in the community. She had a lively spirit and was always filled with joy, optimism and determination to be the best teacher, and she inspired others in how they might approach challenging issues, especially with students with behavioral disabilities. The scholarship is offered in that spirit.


Patrick James (PJ) O'Donnell was a senior at Siena College, majoring in accounting when he died on January 3, 1989 at the age of 21, while awaiting a liver transplant. He was a member of the National Honor Society while at Shenendehowa, Class of 1985.





Matthew F. Proctor attended Okte Elementary, Acadia Middle School and Shenendehowa High School as a freshman until his passing after a 5 1/2 year battle with leukemia. He loved learning, particularly computer technology and music. The Matthew Proctor Scholarship is awarded to a Shenendehowa High School graduate who will be enrolling in a four-year program in New York State to study music education or computer technology. Matt was a positive person and despite his illness was able to attain high marks and remain on the honor roll. The scholarship honors his achievements and spirit.

Founder of the Sanvidge Family of Funeral Homes in the Capital District, John J. Sanvidge dedicated his life to reaching out to others in the depths of grief, serving as a pillar of the community of Troy, and exhibiting his personal warmth and goodness to all. The scholarship will be awarded to a qualifying senior who reflects a positive, outgoing personality and attitude, who has participated in community activities to help others in need, such as the poor, the elderly, the lonely or the grieving, and who will be entering the helping professions, such as mortuary science or social services.

A long-time, well-known resident of Clifton Park, Roland L. Felano loved life and dedicated himself through his leadership in the Knights of Columbus to improving others' lives through charitable acts. His commitment and personality inspired many to join in the good works of the Knights including supporting the Shenendehowa Dollars for Scholars program to open up opportunities for the youth of our community. This scholarship is offered to honor his service to others.