TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Mechanics Cooperative Bank is once again proud to announce the recipients of our annual Scholarship Awards! The Mechanics Cooperative Bank scholarship program was created to support local students who excelled in academics, athletics, and community service, to help toward their pursuit for higher education. There was an amazing class of highly qualified students who applied in 2022 compelling the Bank to award more scholarships than ever before!
We are pleased to announce the following twenty (20) recipients of the 2022 Mechanics Cooperative Bank Scholarships; (1) Elijah Lazaro of Argosy Collegiate Charter High School (2) Avery Laranjo of Bristol Plymouth Regional Tech; (3) Landon Him of Bristol Plymouth Regional Tech; (4) Greta Costello of Bishop Conolly High School; (5) Rachel Dias of Bishop Conolly High School; (6) Isabella Manchester of Case High School; (7) Ethan Gonsalves of Case High School; (8) Jason Arruda of Case High School; (9) Victoria Perry was Homeschooled with duel enrollment at Bristol Community College; (10) Molly Rioux of Dartmouth High School; (11) Ella Gesner of Dighton Rehoboth High School; (12) Soleei Guasp of Durfee High School; (13) Deysia Andrade of Greater New Bedford Vocational Technical High School; (14) Philip Tran of New Bedford High School; (15) Sydni Colson of New Bedford High School; (16) Summer Bejarano of Silver Like High School; (17) Sophia Puccini of Somerset Berkley Regional High School; (18) Sydney Dufresne of Somerset Berkley Regional High School; (19) Mikayla Cleary of Taunton High School; and (20) Nicolas Arruda of Westport High School.
President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank Joseph T. Baptista Jr. said “Students like these are prime examples of why we continue to offer the Mechanics Cooperative Bank Scholarship program annually. Their hard work and dedication to education, community, and future accomplishments are all values we appreciate here at the bank. We are proud of each recipient’s impressive high school career and wish them all continued success in the next phase of their education – Congratulations!”
Elijah Lazaro is a graduate of Argosy Collegiate Charter High School where she was a dedicated member of the Student Council, and the Cheerleading team while serving as captain her senior year. Elijah was also a community service volunteer for a home health organization. She will be attending UMass Dartmouth in the fall to study nursing.
Avery Laranjo is a graduate of Bristol Plymouth Regional Tech with an impressive high school career. Avery was a member of the National Honor Society while also serving as their Vice President in addition to joining the National Technical Honor Society, Skills USA, and participating in mixed martial arts. Avery will be attending the University of New Hampshire in the fall to study Biomedical Sciences.
Landon Him also graduated from Bristol Plymouth Regional Tech where he was a member of the National Honors society and the Golf Team. Serving as co-captain his senior year. Landon is also an avid swimmer participating on both high school and recreational swim teams. Landon will be attending Dartmouth College to study Business/Economics and Engineering.
Greta Costello graduated from Bishop Conolly High School and was both an accomplished athlete and remarkable student. In addition to earning straight A’s, Greta was a member of the Spear Dance Center, the school Debate Team, and the Tennis Team while also being a Bishop Connolly ambassador and a foreign language tutor. Greta will be attending Middlebury College to study Foreign Affairs and Diplomacy.
Rachel Dias also graduated from Bishop Conolly High School and was a dedicated volunteer, and gifted student. Rachel was a member of the Robotics Club and a Science Olympian where she served as both an organizer and participant. She also dedicated her personal time volunteering for the Somerset Public Library and the Montessouri School of Angels. Rachel will be attending Stonehill College in the fall to study Sports Management and Marketing.
Isabella Manchester graduated from Case High School where she excelled as a student and volunteer. She was a four-year member of the National Honors Society in addition to serving as both the Vice President and President of the Drama Club. Isabella also participated in competitive dance and volunteered a significant amount of her time with Hope Health RI & Hospice Care. She will be attending New York University (Tisch School of Arts) to study dance. This specific scholarship was given in memory of Raymond H. Bibeau, President and CEO of Lafayette Federal Savings Bank for over 30 years. This annual scholarship was created as a result of the merger between Lafayette and Mechanics Cooperative Bank and honors Mr. Bibeau’s lifelong commitment to education and support of our local community.
Ethan Gonsalves also graduated from Case High School where he was a strong student and a member of both the Outdoor and Indoor Track Teams, and the Cross Country Team. Ethan also served as class Secretary for Student Government his senior year in addition to volunteering his free time in support of Case High School. He will be attending Bridgewater State College in the fall to study Criminal Justice, Forensics and Law Enforcement.
Sydney Dufresne graduated from Somerset Berkley High School where she was a strong student and student athlete. She played Field Hockey, Softball and Track at the varsity level while also dedicating time to her community. She served as the Vice President for DECA, the Model UN and the Girl Up organizations while taking the role of Secretary in Student Government. She will be attending Salva Regina University in the fall to study History and Cultural & Historic Preservation.
Jason Arruda graduated from Case High School where he excelled in academics, sports, and community service. Jason was an active member of the Theater Club while also playing on the school golf team. Jason also completed his Eagle Scout training while volunteering for the America Legion, Delorme-Hagerman Food Pantry, and the Swansea Animal Shelter. Jason will be attending the University of Rhode Island to study Pharmacy.
Victoria Perry graduated from her Homeschool curriculum with dual enrollment at Bristol Community College. Victoria was both active in her community and a gifted student. She was a member of the Bristol Community College Student Senate while also completing her Eagle Scout training. She also volunteered her time at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Victoria will be attending the Naval Academy in the fall to study Architecture.
Ella Gesner graduated from Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School as a strong student and gifted athlete. Ella was a member of the Field Hockey Team during all four years of high school winning an SCC Honorable Mention and Coaches’ Award her senior year. She also stared in competitive dance and was a leading member of the Mindfulness Club aimed at helping students learn how to cope and self-regulate. Ella will be attending Endicott College in the fall to study Nursing.
Soleei Guasp of BMC Durfee High School also performed impressively in her high school career. She was both a remarkable student and gifted musician. Soleei served as the Secretary for the Chamber Symphony Orchestra as well as President of the school’s Select Choir Club and Theater Group. She was also President of the Student Delegation and dedicated her time volunteering for Charlton Memorial Hospital. We wish her the best of luck as she attends Harvard University to study Computational Biology.
Molly Rioux is a graduate of Dartmouth High School where she excelled in both academic and sports. She was a key member of the Lacrosse, Track, and Cross-Country teams. Molly was also the Editor of the School Newspaper, Secretary for Student Government, a MIAA Student Ambassador and volunteer tutor for fellow students. Molly will be attending Simmons University this fall to study Nursing.
Deysia Andrade graduated from Greater New Bedford Vocational Tech as a talented musician and impressive student. Deysia served as the lead vocalist for the Music Club and Rachel’s Challenge Club, which is dedicated to the support of student’s access to music. She also volunteered her time at the Southcoast Cancer Center, and the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center. Deysia will be attending the Berkley College of Music in the fall to purse a career in professional music.
Philip Tran of New Bedford High School performed impressively in his high school career. Philp was a four-year member of the National Honors Society and served his school and community on the mayor’s Youth Council as Co-Chair. He also was a member of the Science Olympiad Club and played Unified Basketball and Track. Philip will be attending Brown University in the fall to study Computer Science.
Sydney Colson also attended New Bedford High School and graduated as an impressive student. She was a member of Student Government serving as Vice President her senior year, the Student Advisory Council, and the National Honors Society. Sydney also participated in the Student Show Choir and Drama Club while volunteering her time at New Life South Coast Church. She will be attending Gordon College in the fall to study Social Welfare.
Summer Bejarano graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School where she excelled in academics, sports, and community service. Summer was a member of the National Honors Society as well as captain of the Cross Country, and Winter and Spring Track teams. She volunteered her time as a youth basketball coach for girls and was the founder of Thrive – a youth organization focused on helping students apply for college. She will be attending Liberty University in the fall to study Education with a minor in Youth Ministry.
Sophia Puccini attended Somerset Berkley Regional High School as a quality student, athlete and ambassador. She was the social media manager for the Best Buddies and Girl Up Clubs as well as the student representative on the School Committee. She was the captain of the Tennis team her senior year and a member of the Model United Nations. Sophia will be attending Fordham University in the fall to study Global Business and Environmental Social Governance.
About Mechanics Cooperative Bank:
With total assets over $640 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products. As a Massachusetts co-operative bank, 100% of customers’ deposits are always fully insured. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank with nine conveniently located branches in Bridgewater, Taunton, North Dighton, Somerset, Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford and Westport. For more information, call 1-888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit Mechanics-Coop.com. Member FDIC. Member DIF. Equal Housing Lender.
Photo Caption: Pictured (from bottom left): Greta Costello from Bishop Conolly High School attending Middlebury College, Soleei Guasp of BMC Durfee High School attending Harvard University, Rachel Dias from Bishop Conolly High School attending Stonehill, Elijah Lazaro of Argosy Collegiate Charter High School attending UMass Dartmouth, Isabella Manchester from Case High School, attending NYU, Molly Rioux of Dartmouth High School attending Simmons University, Sydney Dufresne of Somerset Berkley High School attending Salva Regina University, Deysia Andrade from Greater New Bedford Vocational Tech attending the Berkley College of Music, and Ethan Gonsalves from Case High School attending Bridgewater State College.
