The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield proudly celebrated 65 years of supporting local students with a special event held October 23, 2025 at the Sheraton Four Points.
Over 120 guests attended the milestone celebration, including past and present TSF board members, sponsors of TSF funds, and local officials including new Town Administrator Denise Casey, Representative Donald Wong, Town Councilors Jonathan Chines and Stacey Constas, and School Committee members Kevin Fontenella, Stephen Ingalls, and Melissa Quinn. Twelve directors who served as president of the organization were also in attendance. Current TSF President T.J. White welcomed the guests and served as the evening’s emcee.
Twelve directors who have served TSF in the role of president attended the recent 65th Anniversary Celebration. Shown front row, from left to right from are: Jennifer Walter, Bob Leahy, Bob Eldridge, John McCarthy, Roberta DiNitto, Kathy Scanlon, Cathy Donovan and Faith Hodgkins. In the back row are Michael Kilkelly, Noel Bailey, current TSF President T.J. White and Jay Pinette.
Greetings from the Commonwealth were delivered by Representative Donald Wong, who presented a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives extending congratulations, best wishes, and hopes for the continued success of TSF.
(Seated) new Town Administrator Denise Casey and her husband Jaime Casey and (back row) Town Councilor Stacey Constas, TSF President T.J. White, Town Councilor Jonathan Chines and Representative Donald Wong.
Town Council member Stacey Constas, a past TSF director, shared congratulations from the Town of Wakefield and reflected on the meaning behind TSF’s key numbers. She noted that “65 years of TSF represents hundreds of volunteers who have given their time and expertise with one shared goal: to help Wakefield students achieve their higher education dreams.”
The evening included exceptional guest speakers, who shared heartfelt messages on the impact TSF has made in their lives. Bill Boodry, a past recipient, director and sponsor of multiple TSF funds, provided the fund sponsor testimonial, stating: “ TSF scholarship funds create lasting memories for a great cause. I can think of no better memory for people, or organizations, to be recognized year after year with awards in their name for students from Wakefield furthering their education.”
Speakers shown (left to right) are Town Councilor Stacey Constas, Bill Boodry, Dr. Senila Yasmin, and Representative Donald Wong.
Dr. Senila Yasmin shared a moving testimonial about her experience as a TSF scholarship recipient. A 2016 graduate of Wakefield Memorial High School and a 2025 graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Yasmin also earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in public health from Boston University. She is now a first-year Internal Medicine resident at UMass Chan–Baystate Medical Center.
Dr. Yasmin shared the steps along the road to her goal of becoming a doctor. “My journey to medicine has been long and challenging, but thanks to the Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield and donors like you, I stand here today having achieved a lifelong dream.” She added, “through it all, your support made the impossible possible. Scholarships didn’t just ease my financial burden — they gave me freedom. Freedom to choose service over salary. Freedom to care deeply, advocate boldly, and dedicate my career to those who need it most.” Dr. Yasmin earned a standing ovation for her inspiring message.
As part of the celebration, a video recording of the WMHS Voices of Steel performing the “Quannapowitt Rag” was shared. In 1982, when the organization was known as Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield (CSF), Director Lillian Coolidge, a Wakefield musician and piano and organ teacher wrote this song especially for CSF. Sheet music and tapes of the tune were first sold at the inaugural Festival by the Lake in 1994, with all proceeds benefiting CSF of Wakefield. Copies of the sheet music were distributed to attendees to follow along with the Voices of Steel recording.
TSF is grateful for the generous support of the major sponsors who made the event possible:
Summa Cum Laude sponsor William Blair
Cum Laude sponsors: Christopher J. Barrett Realtors, Reading Cooperative Bank and The Savings Bank.
The current Board of Directors celebrated TSF at the 65th Anniversary Celebration. Shown front row are Kris Sampson, Jo-Anne Bourque, Lucy Skeldon, Linda McManama, Gayle Wettach, Lisa Erban, Cathy Wensley, Meg Leahy, Cathy Donovan, Rose Tramontozzi, and Jim Fitzgerald. In the back row are Jim Guarino, John McCarthy, Jean Maio, Frank McLean, Kathy Scanlon, T.J. White, Tricia Desrocher, Kelley Chapman, Katie Fallon, Michael Kilkelly, Faith Hodgkins, Kathy DeCosta, Eileen Doherty and Kim Penney.
In addition, TSF extends its gratitude to the Voices of Steel for their wonderful rendition of the”Quannapowitt Rag,” the Wakefield Daily Item for printing the 65th anniversary program, and DJ Pete Healey for providing music and audio for the night.
The evening served as a wonderful reunion of many dedicated supporters and volunteers who have helped shape TSF’s success over the decades. It also provided an exciting opportunity to look ahead as TSF continues its mission to support Wakefield students pursuing higher education.
The Scholarship Foundation of Wakefield is a 501(c)3, non-profit community organization dedicated to empowering local students in their pursuit of higher education by offering financial need support. Beyond our commitment to students, we proudly administer and manage scholarship funds that have been established by community members to commemorate individuals, families, businesses, and organizations.
Office located at:
Americal Civic Center
467 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
Mailing Address:
PO Box 321
Wakefield, MA 01880