Testimonials – Stories of Success

Hello! It’s wonderful to hear from you as always! I am doing great and  have been enjoying my summer vacation working part-time at a preschool as a teacher assistant. I am currently visiting Morocco and enjoying some fun time with my extended family while also enjoying some great traditional food!! I have recently accepted a job offer at State Street in Alternate Investment Services and will be starting there soon. Aside from that, I have been taking in one last full summer vacation swimming at the beach and enjoying the amazing hot Moroccan weather before diving into the actual work life!! I will be sending you a short description of what CSVS meant to me during these past 8 years through email. I truly can’t thank you enough for all of the support and assistance you have provided me during such a crucial time of my academic career. I will forever remain grateful for your kindness and endless generosity. Once again, thank you so much for your continuous encouragement.

Hi Mrs. Brown, thank you for checking in! I just graduated this May, and I moved back home where I will be taking a gap year. I’ve been studying for the LSAT all summer and I plan on taking it early October to apply to law schools. After I take the lsat, I hope to get a full time job at a law firm as a legal assistant or paralegal before attending school next fall.

This scholarship has meant so much to my academic and personal journey. Being a first generation college student and the oldest sibling in my family, I didn’t have a lot of knowledge when it came to the college application process or high school in general. My mentors, Ms. Hoey and Mrs. Golden, provided me with support, wisdom, and resources that carried me through both high school and college. We regularly met over coffee or lunch, and over time, I’ve built meaningful relationships with both of them. Mrs. Golden went a step further by connecting me with older students from Westborough High School who shared their experiences and offered advice. One of those connections even helped me secure my first job at Uhlman’s, where I worked for four summers. The scholarship helped me pay for my college application fees, allowing me to apply to 13 different schools across the country. Once I attended Syracuse University, the scholarship helped me pay off my tuition, and I am happy to say that I am graduating debt free, something I never thought was possible. None of this would have been possible without the opportunities and network of people the Charlotte Spinney Scholarship gave me.

To be a CSVS scholar meant not just being awarded financial support; it was an experience that had a profound impact on my life. Not only did the scholarship ease much of the financial burden that my college degree bore, but it also granted me a framework of mentors and a network of supporters who had a tangible impact on my academic life.

The mentorship, particularly that of my high school mentors, Marianne O’Connor and Meghan Wallace, was a large part of my experience. From the regular get-togethers to the casual conversations—both in person and through email—having consistent guidance and receiving regular follow-ups made me feel like I had a dedicated team every step of the way.

That same sense of mentoring was maintained with Carrie Brown throughout my college years. She frequently inquired about my life and studies all while delivering timely support when I needed it. This combination of financial aid and a steady, loving presence from mentors kept me on track from high school to all throughout college. The CSVS scholarship was one that truly made a difference, one that has enabled me to fulfill my dreams and will continue to inspire me for many years to come.

When Charlotte asked me to consider being a community mentor to her scholarship program all those years ago, I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into. However, when Charlotte asked, I knew better than to say no. I remember thinking, I’ll do my best to be helpful and supportive but I had no idea how being a mentor would have such a positive impact on me. Charlotte gave me some advise that I remember very clearly still… “meet with her once a month at the beginning to build a good relationship and there could be challenges but it will be worth it.” Charlotte was right, as she always was. Being a CS mentor was one of the best decisions I ever agreed to. We did meet once a month during middle school and often through high school. I am still in touch with my student and she now a senior in college! I have loved being a mentor and being part of my students journey. I am so glad I said yes!

When I was first asked to become a mentor, I didn’t realize how much fun I would have spending time with my mentee. By hanging out together, whether it was walking my dogs or making star wands for the Farmer’s Market, we enjoyed getting to know one another. As my mentee and I got to know one another, she trusted me more. And with a stronger sense of trust, she shared her ideas about life, her annoyances, her excitement, and her dreams. I felt honored to listen to her and appreciated her vulnerability.

My mentee has taught me so much about myself, something I truly didn’t expect. Her frank opinions and strong ideas ignited my own thoughts. We challenged each others’ thinking and learned from one another.

Being a mentor for three different high school students is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Each of the students I worked with opened up to me over time. I feel gratified knowing I helped these students navigate their high school journey.

It was a privilege to serve as a mentor to a student for 4 years. Witnessing the growth in my mentee as she arrived in our community with little to no English and observing her successes as she moved through WHS was quite impressive. Our quality time together as she prepared for college, attended various activities at school, and left WHS with perfect English is in part a tribute to the funds established through the Spinney Scholarship program.