Silvias Kids

Through the exceptional generosity of Silvia Drupa (pictured Right with her husband, Laimons),

a scholarship program was established

within the Binghamton Garden Club, a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.

Application is open to any Broome County (NY) HS graduating senior planning to major in a university undergraduate program in Horticulture, Botany, Biology (not pre-med) Environmental Studies, or other directly related disciplines.

The first recipient, Danielle Behn, is pictured Left receiving her First year's check. She is pictured Right, graduating from the University of New England. In Massachusetts, teaching pre-kindergarten at a Charter School, but currently taking a break.

Pictured Left is Ryan Di Rado who, after participating his freshman year, decided on a different career path. Also in the picture are Alyssa Menz, our third recipient, and Danielle Behn, our first.

Alyssa Menz, our third recipient, is pictured Left receiving her First year's scholarship check. She graduated from Columbia University with a 3.9 major GPA, and she has completed her graduate school at the University of Oxford in England! In Connecticut finishing her first year of a PhD program at Yale University on a full PhD fellowship at the Yale School of the Environment. Engaged to be married in the Fall.

Nicole Madden is our fourth recipient. She is shown Left receiving her First year's check. Living in Cape Cod, MA. Working as a Field Crew Leader monitoring the wildlife on Camp Edwards ANG . Tracks Box Turtles; monitors butterflies, etc.

Our fifth recipient, Chantal Messinger, (now Chantal Rogers) is shown upper Right receiving her First year's check, and lower Right enjoying the gardens at her University, BYU, Idaho. In the Southern Tier, NY volunteering at the Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cutler Botanic Gardens. Part-time at for Town of Greene; clerk for their Planning Board.

In our sixth year, the competition resulted in a virtual tie. Therefore, we awarded two scholarships. On the Left is Matthew Stalter, seen receiving his First Year's check. We lost touch with him.

Once again we were pleased to award two scholarships in 2016.

On the Left is Alyssa Heller,

seen receiving her First Year's check. She dropped out.

Here's our 2017 Scholarship winner,

Toni Daino, receiving her "Big Check"!! Currently in Ballston Spa, NY, working at the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service with landowners in Hamilton, Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Fulton and Montgomery Counties implementing best management practices on their land.

Marc Marion, our first Scholarship winner of 2019, receiving his "Big Check. Graduated at Binghamton University majoring in Environmental Science. Started a new job as an Internal Operations Assistant with Visions Federal Credit Union at their headquarters in Endwell.

Declan Houlihan, our second Scholarship winner of 2019, receives his "Big Check" from Jane Olsa, while Mary Jo Rankin, Scholarship Chair, looks on. Graduated from Williams College.

And here, Joshua Black, our third Scholarship winner of 2019, receives his "Big Check" from Jane Olsa,

while Mary Jo Rankin, Scholarship Chair,

looks on. Currently working for Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute health team.

Ian Shaffer, majored in Environmental Science. Graduated at Binghamton University majoring in Environmental Science.

Morgan Whittington - Graduated at SUNY Oneonta majoring in Environmental Sustainability.

We are very pleased to be able to award not one, not two, but THREE Scholarships in 2020 as well.

And for the Second year in a row, we are very pleased to be able to award not one, not two, but THREE Scholarships in 2021 as well!

Tavia Wright - Going into her senior year at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore majoring in Environmental Science.

Taylor Rutherford - Going into his senior year at Paul Smith’s College majoring in Fisheries & Wildlife Biology, Wildlife concentration.

Jadyn Baidoo-Davis - Going into her senior year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute majoring in Environmental Engineering.

Meadow Kapczynski - Working in NYC this summer with Barnard College to help create science curriculum and design field trips with local k-8 teachers through a program called "STEAM in the City". Going into her Junior year at Barnard College (NYC) majoring in Environmental Science.

Carmella Di Renzo - Going into her Sophomore year at Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering with Energy & Environmental Focus.

Kathryn White - Going into her Sophomore year at Broome Community College majoring in Environmental Science.

And, on the lower Left, Dana Carris, receiving his First year's check. Currently attending Texas A&M for a degree in Marine Biology while working remotely for GHD in Environmental.

On the right, Gunnar Glover – Seton Catholic HS - In the NY Finger Lakes; has a farm specializing in organic produce and honey, and a flock of sheep and laying hens.

And, on the Right, Taylor Robinson, receiving his First Year's check. Working for NY Department of Transportation in Binghamton as a Construction Inspector assuring compliance with processes.

Ariana Blake-Binghamton High School will be attending Northwestern University majoring in Environmental Engineering.

Emma Nagorny-Seton Catholic Central will be attending Penn State Main Campus majoring in Agricultural Sciences/Horticulture.