Worcester Educational Development Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarships and the Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement English.
Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarships
Betty Reidy was a North High graduate who was a lifelong Worcester resident who dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for individuals in our community. She graduated from Emanuel College, received her Master’s in Social Work from Boston College, and later an Honorary Doctorate from Assumption College. She nurtured her own children to go on and become highly successful individuals.
As a testament to her commitment to children and families, her family has established the Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarship for North High School graduates who intend to pursue a course of study and career in nursing, education, social work, counseling, or the ministry.
The 2021 Betty Reidy scholarship recipients are Georgette Adu Agyekum, who will be attending Fitchburg State University to pursue a career in health care, Angel Mensah, who has been accepted at UMASS Dartmouth to study nursing, and Wendy Williams, who will attend UMASS Lowell to study nursing.
Dr. Lee Gurel Award
The 2021 Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning Advanced Placement Enlgish has been awarded to student An Nguyen and his teacher, Jon Brien. Mr. Nguyen was chosen by lottery from the pool of Worcester Public Schools students who achieved the highest ranking score on the AP English examination.
Dr. Lee Gurel is a Distinguished Alumnus of the Worcester Public Schools. He established the award in 2006 in honor of his eighth grade English teacher, Miss Wilmot, who taught at the former Woodland Street Preparatory School in south Worcester. He donated an endowment for the award to thank the Worcester Public Schools for the educational foundation he received that prepared him to eventually become a nationally recognized psychologist.