Quincy Retired Teachers Association

Brief History

The Quincy Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund, established in 1978 by a bequest of $1,000 from the estate of Warren B. Findlay, a retired teacher at Quincy High School, is incorporated and tax exempt under Rule 501(c)(3). Bylaws assure that all contributions are placed in insured investment accounts and prudent securities. The current investment management firm is UBS Financial Services. All required State and Federal forms are filed annually and an annual independent audit is conducted.

Fund Sources and Management

Since its inception, the Scholarship Fund has increased dramatically through contributions in memory of or in honor of individuals and through bequests from estates. Many of these contributions are from retired teachers and their families.

Special recognition is given to Harry A. and Louisa P. Beede who willed seventy-five percent of their estate to the Scholarship Fund (approximately $1,250,000) several decades ago. It is interesting to note that Mr. Beede helped design the Broad Meadows Middle School and was its first principal.

Another major contributor was John W. Walsh, former Principal of North Quincy High School. He and his family have contributed more than $150,000 over the past ten years to graduates of both High Schools.

The estate of Barbara DeWolfe, retired elementary school teacher and assistant principal, notably bequeathed $120,000 to the fund.

Contributions in any amount are most welcome and may be designated in memory of or in honor of a special teacher, friend, family member or group. These contributions should be mailed to:

Quincy Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund
Office of the Superintendent of Schools c/o Laura Owens
34 Coddington St.
Quincy, MA 02169

All donations to the Scholarship Fund are acknowledged and honorees or families of those remembered are informed of each donation.

Scholarship Distribution

Each year, qualifying seniors at North Quincy and Quincy High Schools receive QRTA scholarships. The number of awards assigned to each of these High Schools is determined by allocating the number of scholarships available in proportion to the number of students in each senior class. In 2018, thirty-six scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors at both High Schools totaling $81,000.

Students apply for these scholarships through their respective High School's guidance departments. Only one QRTA scholarship award is permitted per graduating senior. Recipients are chosen by the Scholarship Committee at each High School.

High academic or technical achievement, desirable character traits, financial need and active participation in school or community activities are qualifications that the QRTA seeks from the Scholarship Committee's in its recipients. Since 1978 QRTA has provided hundreds of scholarships to Quincy students totaling over $1.5 million dollars.

Scholarship recipients often respond with letters of appreciation upon receipt of their scholarship. Here are some excerpts from the 2018 recipients:

I am writing this letter to show my gratitude and appreciation for receiving such an award. The daunting nature of college is huge, especially since I have many more years to come. I chose -Health Sciences because ever since I was in the fifth grade, I knew I wanted to become a neurosurgeon. However, what is even more daunting is the cost, so it was an honor to receive this scholarship to lighten the load.

Ayman Sadaka (NQHS 2018)

John W. Walsh Memorial Scholarship

Northeastern University

I am honored and very grateful to receive an award from the QRTA. I am still figuring out what I what to study - Biology and Environmental Science Public Policy- it will be STEM related. I have a passion for sciences and I want a career that puts me at the forefront of cutting-edge science and technology.

Frances Papandile (NQHS 2018)

Barbara DeWolfe Memorial Scholarship

Harvard University

I want to express my sincere gratitude for selecting me as a recipient of your scholarship. My years in the QPS were fantastic and fostered acceptance, kindness and a beautiful sense of community. These qualities will surely assist me as I transition to a college in another region of the country.

Maggie Mc Goldrick (NQHS 2018)

Gregory B. Buck Memorial Scholarship

University of Colorado

I want to thank you for your generous scholarship. This means a lot to me because I want to be a teacher. Teachers are always givers and do not expect a great deal in return. I takes a special person to be a teacher; one who never gives up on a student, a mentor in and out of the classroom and is always ready to face any challenge. I hope one day I can start my own scholarship to help students entering the college world.

Liana Cunningham (QHS 2018)

Harry A. and Louisa P. Scholarship

Framingham State University

I am writing to give thanks and gratitude for choosing me as a scholarship recipient. I plan to major in Computer Sciences with a career that is software related. My family and I are very thankful for this scholarship

Jamie Nguyen (QHS 2018)

Arthur E. Foster Jr. Memorial Scholarship

University of Mass. (Amherst)

Thank you kindly for the award you bestowed upon me. All throughout my high school years, I always took my academics seriously. I am glad my teachers recognized my hard work. All those sleepless nights, all those rewarding yet relentless workloads; but it was worth it to pursue an engineering career.

Brian Mahabir (QHS 2018)

Mary Bozoian Honorary Scholarship

Boston University