TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS:  Mechanics Cooperative Bank is once again proud to announce the recipients of their 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 2021 compelling the Bank to award more scholarships than ever before!

We are pleased to announce the following thirteen (13) recipients of the 2021 Mechanics Cooperative Bank Scholarships;  (1) Daniel LaCourse of Taunton High School (2) John DiSanto of Dighton Rehoboth Regional; (3) Taylor Hill of Taunton High School (4) Lily Valcovic of Taunton High School; (5) Kayla Botelho of Taunton High School (6) Camden Huck of Somerset Berkley Regional; (7) Madison Avilla of Westport High School; (8) Isabella Glennon of Westport High School; (9) Brian Poirier of Fairhaven High School; (10) Morgan Paiva of Dartmouth High School; (11) David Abgrab of Bishop Connolly High School; (12) Jenna Bray of Bridgewater Raynham Regional and; (13) Hailey Burr of Bridgewater Raynham Regional.

Daniel LaCourse is a graduate of Taunton High School where he was a member of the Math Team, DECA Club, Key Club and Poetry Club.  Daniel was also a member of the National Honors Society and has completed his training for Eagle Scout. Daniel will be attending UMass Amherst later this year and will be majoring in Finance.

John DiSanto also had a very impressive high school career. He graduated from Dighton-Rehoboth High School and was both a star athlete and gifted student. John excelled in in Basketball and Track while being a member of the National Honors Society and Save Our Schools organization. We wish him the best of luck as she attends UMass Amherst to study business management.

Taylor Hill is a graduate of Taunton High School where she was a member of the Dance and Track teams.  Taylor also volunteered for the Interact Club as their Vice President and was a member of the National Honors Society. Taylor will be attending Emanuel College later this year and will be majoring in nursing.

Lily Valcovic also performed impressively in her high school career. She graduated from Taunton High School and was both an accomplished athlete and remarkable student. Lily excelled in Cross Country and Track while being a member of the National Honors Society and working as a peer tutor. We wish her the best of luck as she attends Bridgewater State to study elementary education.

Kayla Botelho also graduated from Taunton High School and was an accomplished athlete, dedicated volunteer, and gifted student. Kayla excelled in Soccer and was the captain of the New England Navigators sailing team. She also spent a lot of her personal time volunteering for organizations like Coaching for Change, Student Council and Student Government and was a member of the Day of Portugal Committee.  We wish her the best of luck as she attends Bridgewater State to study communication sciences.

Camden Huck graduated from Somerset Berkley High School and was both an accomplished athlete and dedicated volunteer. Camden excelled in Soccer, Track, and Basketball while volunteering for the Big Buddies, Youth Outreach Program, and the National Police Parade.  We wish him the best of luck as she attends New England University to study physical therapy. This specific scholarship earned by these students 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.

Madison Avilla is a graduate of Westport High School where she was a member of the Field Hockey and Track teams as well as member of the Club Field Hockey-Allegiance Club.  Madison was also a volunteered for the Students that Exemplify Leadership, the Yearbook Club and School Council and was a member of the National Honors Society. Taylor will be attending Worchester State later this year and will be majoring in nursing and neuroscience.

Isabella Glennon is also a graduate of Westport High School where she excelled in Cross Country and Volleyball while being a member of the National Honors Society and working as a student tutor. Isabella was also a gifted student taking all AP courses and earning early college credits for her studies. We wish her the best of luck as she attends Providence College to study biology.

Brian Poirier also had a very impressive high school career. He graduated from Fairhaven High School and was both a dedicated volunteer and gifted student. Brian excelled in in Soccer and the Marching Band while being a member of the National Honors Society and Boy Scouts. We wish him the best of luck as she attends UMass Amherst to study biology and jazz.

Morgan Paiva of Dartmouth High School was an exceptional student, athlete, and volunteer. She was the captain of the Varsity Field Hockey Team for both her junior and senior year as well as a member of the Yearbook Committee and Key Club. Morgan was also inducted into the National Honors Society and will be attending the University of New England in the fall to study nursing.

David Abgrab also performed impressively in his high school career. He graduated from Bishop Conolly High School and was both a remarkable student and dedicated volunteer. David excelled in the Boy Scouts and Eastern Mass Debate League while being a member of the National Honors Society and New England Math Team. We wish him the best of luck as she attends UMass Amherst to study chemical engineering.

Hailey Burr is a graduate of Bridgewater Raynham High School where she excelled in Track and Field Hockey while being a member of the National Honors Society and working as a volunteer babysitter. Hailey was also a gifted student taking all AP courses and earning early college credits for her studies. We wish her the best of luck as she attends Mass College of Pharmacy to medicine.

Jenna Bray is also a graduate of Bridgewater Raynham High School where she excelled in Gymnastics while being a member of the National Honors Society and working as a student tutor. Jenna was also a gifted student, and we wish her the best as she attends Saint Anselm College to study nursing.

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!”

About Mechanics Cooperative Bank:
With total assets over $675 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.

Scholarship recipients are pictured holding up t-shirts of the college they are attending in the fall. There are two rows of people pictured with the front row sitting in chairs.

Photo Caption: Pictured (from bottom left); Taylor Hill of Taunton High School, Madison Avilla of Westport High School, Hailey Burr of Bridgewater Raynham Regional, Kayla Botelho of Taunton High School, Lily Valcovic of Taunton High School, (from top left); Daniel LaCourse of Taunton High School, Camden Huck of Somerset Berkley Regional, Brian Poirier of Fairhaven High School and Josh DiSanto of Dighton Rehoboth Regional.