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Reminder Assistant Editor SOUTH HADLEY Judi Dorsett wanted to set up a scholarship in memory of her daughter because she "wanted to do some good." Amy Dorsett passed away at age 22 in August 2006 from cystic fibrosis. This was the first year that the Amy Dorsett Memorial Scholarship was awarded. Danielle Cooke, a graduating senior of South Hadley High School, was the recipient of a $500 scholarship earlier this year. She will be attending Westfield State College this fall to double-major in psychology and criminal justice. Cooke explained that South Hadley High School hands out a scholarship application packet to seniors during the year. "At the time of applying, I didn't know that the scholarship was new, but the blurb about it made me think I had a good chance of receiving it," she said. "The scholarship called for a dedicated and spirited student who was passionate about their work and studies. I had actually danced at Northeast Dance Academy when I was younger, and Amy and a good family friend, Beth Davis, were helping student-teachers in my classes. Amy possessed such grace and passion in her dance, and I remember how thoughtful and helpful she was." Cooke played softball all four years of high school as the shortstop and was varsity softball captain her senior year. She also played basketball as a freshman. "Amy loved her high school years," Judi said. "She was a cheerleader from eighth to 12th grade, so I thought at first we'd give the scholarship to a cheerleader but we opened it up to anybody who played a high school sport." Seventeen students filed applications for the scholarship this year. Judi plans on awarding one scholarship of $1,000 each year from now on. "The reason we only gave $500 this year is because we didn't know how much we were going to raise," she explained. She set a base of $500 and wound up gathering more than $2,500 in donations. "The scholarship completely covers the cost of my books, and it was a huge relief, and personally, an honor, to be able to have received it," Cooke stated. Funds for the Amy Dorsett Memorial Scholarship were collected through a mailing from the scholarship fund, a cheerleader competition at South Hadley High School, where Amy was a student, and money raised during cystic fibrosis week at the school. Any student who has participated in a sport at South Hadley High School is eligible to apply for the scholarship. Academic performance, extracurricular activities and financial need are all taken into consideration as well. Applications will be available sometime after the school's winter holiday vacation. Anyone wishing to donate to the scholarship fund should make checks payable to the Town of South Hadley Amy Dorsett Memorial Scholarship and mail them to the Town Clerk's Office, 116 Main St., Room #108, South Hadley, MA 01075. | ||||||
