We have granted over $1.2 million to support educational programs in Windham. Projects include funding for the summer reading program and eReaders at the Windham Library and capital improvements to Windham -Ashland-Jewett Central School (WAJ) for classroom computers, a distance learning center, and basketball and tennis courts. We offer the largest college scholarship to a graduating senior—$10,000 over the course of four years. Since 2004 we have helped local students reach their dream of a higher education. We have funded science field trips, teacher mentoring, after-school enrichment, and summer theater projects. Many have acclaimed, “Windham Foundation, where would we be without you.”
The Windham Foundation of NY is pleased to announce its 2024 WAJ recipients. These four very deserving students will receive Windham Foundation’s annual educational scholarships to assist in the cost of their extended educational expenses.
The students receiving these scholarships have worked diligently throughout their high school years and have shown commitment, determination, and drive. The Windham Foundation scholarships are based on academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
Sophia Dyjak – Windham Foundation’s Outstanding Student Scholarship. Recipients are selected annually and receive a total of $10,000 towards their college expenses. Sophie will begin her studies at St. Anselm College for Nursing.
Alexis Moss – Windham Foundation’s Goldman Sachs Gives Scholarship. Recipients receive a total of $10,000 towards their advanced degree expenses. Alexis will attend Marist College for English Education.
Paul Pitti – WAJ BOCES Scholarship. Recipients receive a total of $1,500 towards their advanced degree expenses. Paul will be attending SUNY Cobleskill for Graphic Design.
Alexandra Levine – Windham Foundation’s WAJ Trade & Technical Scholarship. Recipients receive a total of $1,500 towards their two-year college degree expenses. Alexandra plans to attend the National Technical Institute for Automechanics.
We wish our recipients much luck and success as they move on to their next adventure!
2024 WAJ Scholarship Recipients
Sophia Dyjak
Alexis Moss
Alexandra Levine
Paul Pitti
Past Scholarship Recipients
Outstanding Student Scholarship
Sophia Dyjak 2024
Leon Honge 2023
Serena Beckman 2022
Erik Langdon Potts 2021
Kimberly Gonzalez 2020
Samantha Aplin 2019
Megan Corrigan 2018
Subaru Honge 2017
Kate Moran 2016
Keily Linger 2015
Zahia Ismail 2014
Marguerite Charbonneau 2013
Annamae Fingar 2012
Cira Conlin 2011
Kersten Laveroni 2010
Jonathan Lindine 2009
Karl Goettsche 2008
Mathew Lacono 2007
Emily Blanden 2006
Cassandra Starr 2005
Geneveve Valenti 2004
Trade & Technical Scholarship
Alexandra Levine 2024
Connor Aplin 2023
Kyle Donohue 2022
Faith Montie 2021
Jason Maeurer 2020
Ryleigh Mele 2019
Gianna Levine 2018
Joseph Barnum 2017
Kevin Malen 2016
Victoria Woronewych 2015
Henry Vanucchi 2014
Meabh Lavery 2013
Goldman Sachs Gives Outstanding Student Scholarship
Alexis Moss 2024
Amanda Nilsen 2023
Ariel Valencia 2022
Grace Moran 2021
Olivia Pedrick 2020
Caroline Sandleitner 2019
Bethany Kletz 2018
BOCES Scholarship
Paul Pitti, 2024
Logan Forbes 2023
Cassandra Coe 2022
James Cofield 2021
Catie Drum 2018
Matthew Skopinsky 2017
WAJ Students Explore the Weather & Climate
With the support of the Windham Foundation, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Program provided six sessions to the WAJ Science Club students with hands-on activities and immersive studies about the weather system and its effects on climate.
Participating students furthered their comprehension through experiments and group discussions all while exploring the great outdoors. The students were able to use this opportunity to visualize how the weather system interacts with the plants and animals around them. They left their lessons with an improved understanding of the world and an eagerness to learn more!
Forest Ecosystem Exploration
Windham-Ashland-Jewett’s science club, organized by Deb Valerio, embraces another year of field trips funded by the Windham Foundation. The science club offers enriching educational fun through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
Each month the club can visit The Agroforestry Resource Center and The Siuslaw Model Forest to explore and reflect on the forest ecosystem. The club’s sessions offer youth a chance to brainstorm about insects, explore the benefits of compost, and hunt through the forest in search of six-legged critters with environmental educator, Andrew Randazzo.
On your mark, get set…READ!
This year’s theme for the Windham Library Summer Reading Program attracted many Olympian readers! Children in grades K-4 received reading packets upon registration and tracked the books they read over the 5-week program. Each received a prize after every 10 books read and logged.
While the main emphasis of the program was to keep students of all ages reading during the summer months, it also gave them hands-on learning experiences. All hopes are high that students share the same enthusiasm throughout their school years and beyond!