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The Boston Teachers College Scholarship Fund recently surpassed its $1 million goal. The announcement was made this fall at the 25th Boston Teachers College reception, an annual reunion for alumni of Boston Normal School, Teachers College of the City of Boston, and State Teachers College at Boston.

The BTC Scholarship Fund was founded by alumnae Marie Fox ’52; Virginia Lee Langley ’48; Alice O.C. DeGuglielmo ’52; Jane Monahan Milano ’55; Mary Doucette Duseau ’57; Madeline McLean Smith ’51; and Virginia M. Duseau ’52. Established in 1996, it was one of the first of its kind to collectively represent UMass Boston and its legacy schools for a specific profession. Since its inception over 20 years ago, the scholarship is annually awarded to deserving UMass Boston students pursuing a degree in education. To date, 70 students have been awarded.

“Our first scholarship was for $250, and now we’re giving out six of them at $5,000 each. It’s just beyond anything we’ve ever anticipated,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Marie Fox ’52. “It’s beyond description.”

The following students were named 2021 Boston Teachers College scholarship recipients:

Yadielis Castillo ’22
Mia Čirkić ’22
Darragh M. Fahey ’22
Elizabeth Healy ’22
Samantha Le ’22
Alexis Poindexter ’22

Fox said the overall response surrounding the scholarship has been overwhelming, largely attributing it to alumni’s eagerness to support their alma mater and future educators.

 “The enthusiasm has been incredible because of the love of the school. It’s beyond anything that we ever expected. It truly has been,” she said.

Scholarship recipient Yadi Castillo ’22 said she realized the importance of having a flexible and inclusive classroom after having a difficult high school experience. A senior majoring in social psychology with a minor in secondary education, Castillo said she plans to pursue a career in teaching psychology at the high school level with a focus on special education.

“I am more than honored to be a recipient of the Boston Teachers College Scholarship. I’m doing this for all of the students who had a difficult time in school because they were too afraid to speak up,” she said.

“I am extremely honored to be a recipient of the Boston Teachers College Scholarship and equally as appreciative of the faculty and staff that have supported me throughout the past four years,” said Alexis Poindexter ’22, who will graduate this year with her bachelor’s in Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings. “The UMass Boston community is one of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. I feel confident that this university has set me up well to be a caring, conscious educator.”

To make a gift to the Boston Teachers Scholarship Fund, please visit our .