SML is now accepting applications for The Stephentown Memorial Library Robert J. Smith Scholarship.
The Stephentown Memorial Library Robert J. Smith Scholarship rewards the public service of one graduating high school senior with $2000 for college. Each applicant must be a Stephentown resident accepted to a two- or four-year college or university.
Applications are due on May 19 and can be mailed to the library, handed in in person, or sent via email to director@stephentownlibrary.org. Please make sure to read the guidelines carefully! Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Click here to download the 2023 Scholarship Application
The History of the Stephentown Memorial Library Robert J. Smith Scholarship
In June of 1988, Stephentown Memorial Library Trustee Ini Prior recommended that the library begin a scholarship fund for Berlin High School graduates with money that was donated to the library in memory of her mother. The other trustees were in favor of the idea and so began the Stephentown Memorial Library Award for Higher Education. It was officially voted on in January of 1989 and a scholarship account was started with a total of $640.
As the donated scholarship money earned interest, the SML Board of Trustees worked on the parameters of the scholarship and who would be eligible. In 1996, long time Trustee and library supporter, Betty Greene passed away and in her will, she left a sizable donation to support the scholarship. After this generous donation, the scholarship account had enough funding to start giving out scholarships to well deserving students. The very first scholarship given out went to Marcia Southard and Rebecca Schaffer in 1998.
In December of 2018, Board Trustee Robert J. Smith passed away after a battle with cancer. Bob lived a life that was dedicated to the service of others. He was a member of the United States Air Force for 23 years. He served as an EMT, firefighter, Flight Nurse, and was deployed to Iraq after 9/11. In the civilian world, Bob was a dedicated and well-loved nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY. Even while fighting a painful battle with cancer, Bob never stopped volunteering for many different organizations.
After Bob’s passing, the Board of Trustees decided to rename the Stephentown Memorial Library Scholarship in honor of Bob. The scholarship was renamed The Stephentown Memorial Library Robert J. Smith Scholarship and it now rewards students who have demonstrated the same kind of devotion to community service that Bob was so passionate about. It is the hope of the Board that this scholarship will help to keep Bob’s memory alive and reward those who continue to devote themselves to their community, as Bob did.
Previous Winners of the Stephentown Memorial Library Scholarship
1998: Rebecca Schaffer and Marcia Southard
1999: Danielle Madden and Margaret Shyer
2000: Laura Sicily and Bonnie Myers
2001: Laura Zwack and Heather Mumford
2002: Sarah Killen and Jennifer Zema
2003: Alex Mearns
2004: Heather Rice
2005: Matthew Eckhardt
2006: Amanda Gallup
2007: Abigail Jensky
2008:
2009: Danielle Hoffman
2010: Rosa McKeon
2011:
2012: Rachel Gordon
2013:
2014: Shauna Hoffman
2015:
2016: Madison Rascoe
2017: Theresa Kirsimagi
2018: Amanda Despart
2019: Kyle Fiske
2020: Alyssa Lindheimer
2021: Noah Bonesteel
2022: Carol Kirsimagi