We thank all students for their outstanding applications and congratulate the 2025 recipients. We encourage Vermont seniors to apply for a scholarship. Applications available in January.
2025 RECIPIENTS OF THE WINONA SMITH SCHOLARSHIP
VINCY CHAN, BURR AND BURTON ACADEMY
Read Vincy’s essay on the SAVE Act I Read Vincy’s essay on Deportation of Immigrants
Vincy Chan’s leadership, advocacy, and strong academic focus are clear. She attended the American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation, a weeklong program, where she learned about the inner workings of the federal government when she participated in mock Senate sessions and debated bills. She distinguished herself at the All-American Model United Nations Travel Team Diplomacy Academy by engaging in debates on global topics such as artificial intelligence, NATO’s evolving role, rising ocean levels, and international economic development. “I improved my communication skills by learning how to express complicated ideas effectively and persuasively…and developed a greater awareness for collaboration and diplomacy.”
Vincy was President of the Students of Color Alliance, Governor of Vermont Girls State, and an intern for Representative Becca Balint’s congressional campaign. She is proud of creating a peer tutoring program that helped more than 40 students. Her awards include Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and Chinese, Vermont Presidential Scholar in General Education, and Academy Model UN Conference Speaking Award. She was also active in cross country, track & field, Nordic skiing, and chess club.
In her essay on voting rights, Vincy wrote about the proposed SAVE Act. “The more I read about it, the more I realized how dangerous and discriminatory this bill truly is… In a democracy, the very worst thing we can do is pretend to defend it while dismantling it from the inside out.”
Her essay on a recent national event compares the chilling resemblance of migrant deportation to Jews being taken from their homes and sent to concentration camps. “Just as the world proclaimed “never again” after the Holocaust, we must now stand against policies that repeat past injustices.”
In his recommendation, Social Studies teacher, Andy, commended Vincy’s work ethic and growth. She is always prepared, works to fully understand the content, and thinks critically to take her arguments beyond surface knowledge.
Vincy is pursuing a degree in International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania and aspires to study immigration law.
BRENDAN MCLOUGHLIN, OTTER VALLEY UNION MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL
Read Brendan’s essay on Lack of Voter Engagement I Read Brendan’s essay on the Pardoning of January 6 Rioters
All Brendan McLoughlin cares about is helping others. His coach, Cameron, enthused over the positive influence Brendan had on the school. “It is impossible to overstate how much of a force for good Brendan has been inside our hallways and throughout our greater school community.”
From his work as president of Student Council and student representative on the school board and budget committee, to participating in the Debate and Broadcast Clubs, playing trombone in Jazz Band, acting in15 school theater productions, competing in Cross Country and Lacrosse, or starting a school trivia team tournament, Brendan infuses his pursuits with thoughtfulness, humor, kindness, courage, and panache.
In his essay on voting rights, Brendan addressed the lack of voter engagement. “260 million Americans are over 18, and therefore eligible to vote. Consistently, less than half of these citizens’ vote.”
Brendan’s second essay on a recent national event, focused on the blanket pardoning of the January 6 rioters. “The national tragedy is no longer enough to bring a nation together. Conspiracy theorists and fringe pundits will spew to their audiences who will spew their beliefs further and further until their ideas become mainstream.”
At Bowdoin College (Maine), Brendan, desiring to affect positive change in voter disenfranchisement and money in politics, will major in Government and Legal Studies. His dream is to work in the Justice Department as a civil rights or immigration attorney. Brendan was awarded the University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award.
CREE PACHER, MOUNT ANTHONY UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Read Cree’s essay on Voting I Read Cree’s essay on Palestine
Cree Pacher’s commitment to her community is noteworthy. She received the Bennington Unsung Heroes Award for volunteer efforts with organizations serving people impacted by food insecurity and poverty – Greater Bennington Community Services, Second Congregational Church Sunday Suppers, and Bennington Community Café. “I realize that we, as people, have a responsibility to help others if we have the time to do so.”
Cree was a member of the Interact Club, Vermont Student Anti-Racism Network, National Honor Society and team captain for Varsity Cross-Country, Indoor Track, and Track and Field. As a freshman, in June 2022, she invited her grandmother, a supporter of reproductive rights, to join her at the Bennington Rally protesting the end of Roe v Wade.
In her essay on voting rights, Cree stated: “Voting will never be accurate or equal until all groups, regardless of political belief, have the ability and access to voting.”
Cree spoke about Palestine in her essay on world events. “The promise of the Palestinian land to a specific group created obvious tension which has now developed into the multifaceted conflicts that are happening now and have been happening over the past 50 years.”
Coach Bruce, who has known Cree her entire cross-country career, is continually struck by her thoughtfulness, insight, and passion. “I am particularly impressed with her strong work ethic, decency, commitment to her community, and sense of mission to help others.”
Cree is studying biology at Castleton University, with the goal of pursuing family medicine.
ERICA JANSCH, MOUNT ANTHONY UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Read Erica’s essay on Voter Intimidation in Domestic Abuse I Read Erica’s essay on Period Poverty
Erica Jansch’s received a memorial scholarship from Bill Wood to honor the legacy of his wife, Maisie, who passed away in March 2025. Maisie was former Treasurer of LWVVT and Scholarship Coordinator of the Education Fund.
“I have never seen a person, let alone a high school student, embrace so much responsibility and do so with as much humility and grace as Erica.” Teacher, Allison
Erica Jansch co-founded Bennington County Open Arms, working to resettle Afghan refugees and partnering with Carry Me Home to provide clothing and school supplies.
She interned at Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT) Take Care project that provides access to free hygiene and menstrual products. This led her to the Vermont Commission on Women where she helped facilitate statewide outreach encouraging schools to provide free menstrual products,
As President of the Interact Club, she implemented STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) activities at Bennington Free Library, for children, ages six-12. She was a member of National Honor Society, Student Senate, Peer Mentoring, and captain of Girls’ Varsity Tennis team.
Awards include ACT Youth Appreciation, Catamount Rotary Club, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award.
In her essay on voting rights, Erica addressed voter intimidation in abusive domestic relationships. “A vote has the potential to set the survivors free, give them a sense of justice, and change the system for future victims.”
Erica expounded on period poverty in her second essay. “Period poverty is a public health epidemic that is too often ignored because it only directly affects biologically female individuals.”
Studying Public Policy & Pre-Law at Trinity College (Connecticut), Erica plans to work in international relations, with a focus on humanitarian aid, specifically under-resourced women and children.
LUKE JOHNSON-CAYAN, MILL RIVER UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Read Luke’s essay on Obstacles to Civic Engagement I Read Luke’s essay on the 2024 Elections
Luke Johnson-Cayan’s scholarship was made possible by the generous support of long-standing League member, Dottye Ricks of Graniteville.
Luke Johnson-Cayan seeks a career in health sciences at the University of Vermont. He has a fundamental passion for understanding wellness and increasing general health and, using science-based philosophies, has pursued a revolutionary route in skincare, exercise, and nutrition to craft effective wellness routines. During the Governors Institutes of Vermont 2024 Health & Medicine South Institute weeklong immersion program, Luke was able to explore various health careers. He participated in fundraising efforts for global health projects, including polio awareness campaigns and led various community service initiatives.
A member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Rotary and Interact Clubs, Luke received Mill River’s Leadership Award for outstanding character and Interact Club’s Excellence in Leadership and Service. He also set a school record for the fastest 55m dash.
In his essay on voting rights, Luke stated… “Voting rights are not just about laws but about having the accessibility to truthful and straightforward information…Voting is a duty that we all should have the ability to fulfill, and a just and representative democracy relies on assuring that every American has the same privileges.”
Luke wrote about the 2024 election in his essay on a recent civic event. “Elections give communities a chance to express their values and shape their own futures: they are more than just competitions between candidates.”
In his recommendation, Luke’s Art teacher Jonathan said, “Luke is first of all a human being who quietly, humbly excels in everything he does: academically, artistically, and most especially as a good person.”
RECIPIENTS OF THE WINONA SMITH SCHOLARSHIP
2025
- Vincy Chan, Burr and Burton Academy
- Brendan McLoughlin, Otter Valley Union Middle/High School
- Cree Pacher, Mount Anthony Union High School
Dottye Ricks Special Contribution Scholarship
- Luke Johnson-Cayan, Mill River Union High School
Maisie Wood Memorial Scholarship
- Erica Jansch, Mount Anthony Union High School
2024
- Brooke White, St. Johnsbury Academy
- Apolina Mbeleci, Winooski High School
- Lily Larsen, Essex High School
2023
- Michael Fernandez, Thetford Academy
- Amanda Gomes, Middlebury Union High School
- Anna Lee, Otter Valley Union High School
- Alexina Peckinpaugh, Windsor High School
2022
- Bethany Davis, Hartford High School
- Kimberly Cummings, Green Mountain Union High School
- Sarah Evans, Stowe Middle/High School
- Janaya Parsons, Bellows Free Academy
2021
- Hussein Amuri, Winooski High School
- Meghan Cole, Burr and Burton Academy
- Grace Coolidge, Otter Valley Union High School
- Bella Thayer, Missisquoi Valley Union High School
2020
- Audrey Grant, Hazen Union High School
- Eva Jessup, U-32 Middle & High School
- Hannah LaRose, South Burlington High School
- Senan Pol, Rutland High School
2019
- Makayla Chouinard, Spaulding High School
- Elexia Hodgdon, Craftsbury High School
- Dharma Neil, Woodstock Union High School
- Jennifer Tedesco, Hazen Union High School
2018
- Anna Beach, Spaulding High School
- Hunter Cliche, Twinfield Union School
- Erin Magill, Harwood Union High School
- Jshauna Tilton, Bellows Free Academy, Fairfax
2017
- Gracie Baker of Bellows Free Academy
- Jennie Mull of Burr and Burton Academy
- Julia Stergas of Bellows Free Academy
2016
- Cordelia Bell, Bellows Free Academy
- Cole LaVoie, Harwood Union High School
- Aenea Mead, Harwood Union High School
- Catherine Ware, Hazen Union School
2015
- Jesse Keel, Arlington High School
- Luke Lapean, Mount Anthony Union High School
- Hannah Patterson, Mount Anthony Union High School
- Isabelle Strong, Stowe High School
