Martha's Vineyard Gives $1.2M to 122 Graduating Seniors

When the principal asked who had volunteered during high school, every single student in Martha's Vineyard Regional High School's class of 2026 stood up.

On Friday evening, that same community gave back in a powerful way. Over $1.2 million in scholarships went to 122 students at the annual Class Night ceremony held at the island's historic Tabernacle.

"Every year there's more scholarships, and every year there's more stories and just touching moments," said Mary Korba, the school's scholarship coordinator. This year brought over 500 individual awards recognizing excellence in academics, sports, and community service.

The packed Tabernacle held students, families, friends, and educators who witnessed something remarkable. For 25 years, guidance director John Fiorito has watched this ceremony grow into an incredible community tradition.

Among the donors were families who turned personal loss into hope for the next generation. Bill Engler presented a scholarship alongside his family in memory of his son August, who died in 2024.

"He never gave up and it wasn't always easy," Engler told the students. "The people who loved him never gave up, his friends never gave up, his family, the community, we all kept saying, you can do it, and that's the message we want to provide all of you."

Principal Sean Mulvey celebrated both what the students had given their community and what the community had given them. "As you go out to the world and settle into your communities, my hope is that you will remember and appreciate these people, what these people have done for you, and in turn you find a way to give back to your community," he said.

The Ripple Effect

The scholarships came from memorial funds, local organizations, businesses, and families throughout the island. Some honored educators, others celebrated young lives lost too soon, and many simply reflected a community's commitment to investing in its young people.

Awards ranged from the Bradford and Dorothy Church Memorial Scholarship, which supported dozens of students, to specialized scholarships for culinary arts, science, and leadership. The African American Heritage Trail, American Legion Auxiliary, volunteer fire departments, and countless other organizations contributed.

For students like Danielle Meyer, who received both the Alida Carey Gulick Memorial Scholarship and a Christopher Aring-Sharkovitz Capstone Scholarship, the evening meant recognition for years of hard work. For donors, it meant ensuring the next generation could pursue their dreams without the burden of overwhelming debt.

In a world where college costs continue to climb, one island community is proving that investing in young people creates a cycle of generosity that keeps giving back.