Twenty-one of the 36 recipients of scholarships from the Topsfield Fair gather at the Fair's annual Volunteer Picnic in August. (Topsfield Fair)
TOPSFIELD, MA — Thirty-six high school graduates from 18 high schools across the North Shore and coastal New England shared in $157,000 in scholarships through the Topsfield Fair and the Essex Agricultural Society.
"We are proud to be able to contribute this much toward the rising cost of education," said James O'Brien, General Manager of the Topsfield Fair. "These scholarships don't include thousands in additional financial assistance distributed by several of our departments, including beekeeping, rabbits, the sportsmen building and many others."
Marblehead: Megan Eaton (Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School)
Merrimac: Emin Sargut (Landmark High School)
Methuen: Alexandra Armano (Central Catholic)
North Reading: Ava Constantine (Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School)
Peabody: Allyson Bua (Peabody Veterans Memorial High School); Adriana Soares (Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School)
Reading: Carson Beaulieu (Reading High School)
Salem: Sarah Silva (Salem Academy Charter School)
Salisbury: Samuel Palmisano (Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School), Ian Warcewicz (Triton Regional High School)
Stoneham: Caden McCarthy (Stoneham High School)
Swampscott: Lucy Kline (Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical High School)
Topsfield: Anna Gustafson, Drew Gustafson, Elise Moore, Lance Ponikvar (Masconomet Regional High School), Robert Hanson (The Governor's Academy)
West Newbury: Julia Swiniarski (Pentucket Regional High School)
York, ME: Isabella Parotta (York High School)
Also included in this year's total aid were scholarships from the Essex County Farm Bureau Association, the Essex County Fruit Growers Association, and the Charles E. Larner Family Foundation.
"Once again, this year's scholarship applicants came from students who are very involved in their communities and many who have volunteered at the Topsfield Fair over the years," said O'Brien.
Scholarship applications for students graduating high school in 2027 are expected to be available here in early 2027.
This year's 208th edition of the Topsfield Fair runs from Oct. 2 through Oct. 12.