2007 Annual Report - Greater Worcester Community Foundation

Maureen Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship Fund
A beloved teacher continues to touch young lives
Maureen Henrickson Memorial Scholarship. “Sometimes
the corn snake or guinea pig got loose, which raised
havoc. We’d read in the Bat Cave—a desk under a black
curtain—and organize food drives for the animal shelter.
I gained my interest in science in Mrs. Henrickson’s class.
She was a great teacher.”
When Maureen Henrickson died of breast cancer in
2003, her school was overwhelmed by grief—and a desire
to honor her. Hundreds of small gifts poured in for a
scholarship. “It just blossomed,” says Judy Rutelonis, who
with fellow teacher Barbara Wrenn collected the gifts.
Maureen’s friends raised money from raffles, bake sales,
and craft fairs. Judy sold photographs of Sutton scenes
like Waters Farm. On designated “Jeans Days,” teachers
wore denim and donated $5 each toward the scholarship.
By 2005, the school and its friends raised enough money
to establish an endowed fund with the Foundation that
will award an annual scholarship to a Sutton High School
graduate in perpetuity. “Maureen will keep touching the
lives of kids in Sutton,” says Judy.
Maureen Henrickson’s fellow teachers celebrate her life with
a scholarship.
Maureen Henrickson taught third grade at Sutton
Elementary School for 32 years. She inspired
imagination, curiosity, and compassion in her students,
who learned not just from books but also from her
Noah’s Ark of animals.
“We’d play with the animals and take them out at
recess,” says Matthew D. Sampson, 2007 recipient of the
Recipients need not be top scholars like Matthew.
“Maureen always had an eye out for the underdog who
needs a chance,” says Barbara.
Giving people a chance to live longer and healthier
lives motivates Matthew. Now in his first year at the
University of Rhode Island, he plans a dual major in
biomedical and electrical engineering. “New technologies
are changing medicine,” says Matthew. “I hope to work in
research that leads to cures.”
Maureen Henrickson would be proud.
M
aureen will keep touching the lives of kids in Sutton.
Judy Rutelonis
On right: Sutton High School students show off the T-shirts
they received from their cherished third-grade teacher.
6 Greater Worcester Community Foundation • 07 ANNUAL REPORT