Delaware Highlands Conservancy announces scholarship winners

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has awarded its Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship for $1,175 to Amy Carpenter, a 2021 graduate from Delaware Valley High School, and its Vanessa Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 to Ella Clabaugh, a 2021 graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School.

Amy Carpenter

The Yeaman scholarship has been awarded annually since 2004 to a student planning to pursue a field in environmental studies in college. Given in honor of the Conservancy’s founder, Barbara Yeaman, the scholarship embodies Barbara’s vision to protect our special Upper Delaware River region now and for future generations.

Amy Carpenter will attend Susquehanna University to study Earth and Environmental Science. In high school, she discovered an interest in diversity in ecosystems and looks forward to working on ecosystem restoration. She was co-president of the Martial Arts Club and a member of the National Honor Society.

Ella Clabaugh

The Vanessa Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship was established in 2015 to honor Van Gorder, who died on Dec. 26, 2014. A recent graduate from West Chester University with a degree in education, she was passionate about the outdoors and loved exploring the region with her friends and family. The Conservancy established this scholarship to honor her dream of becoming an educator.

Ella Clabaugh will attend Lafayette College. She is passionate about conservation and the environment and intends to study environmental science. In high school, she was an executive council member of the National Honor Society and a member of Science Olympiad and the Environmental Club where she participated in the Envirothon Competition and received first place locally. She volunteers with Keep Hawley/Honesdale Beautiful to pick up litter throughout the area.

Inspiring youth

To continue to inspire youth and encourage study and careers in natural science and education, contributions to the scholarship fund and other environmental education and conservation initiatives can be made online at DelawareHighlands.org or by mail to P.O. Box 218, Hawley, PA 18428.

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy works in partnership with landowners and communities to protect the natural heritage and quality of life of the Upper Delaware River region. For more information, call 570-226-3164/845-583-1010 or visit DelawareHighlands.org.