The Anne L. Page Scholarship was awarded during Awards Night at Danvers High School. This scholarship is funded by the Danvers Historical Society members, and administered annually by the Danvers High School. Trustees Karen Wagner and Ted Speliotis presented two scholarships during the event for senior graduates.
This scholarship honors Anne L. Page, who opened the first kindergarten in Essex County at the Jeremiah Page House in Danvers Square. Around 1850 she opened a school for very young children between the ages of 3 to 6. She believed Plato’s words that the “. . . power of children’s love of play should be used in education”, and in Froebel’s philosophy of creating fun ways to learn. Anne, along with Elizabeth Peabody and Mary Mann, founded the American Froebel Union, to advance early childhood education.
Twenty excellent candidates shared their experiences in how play helped them learn valuable skills; how a teacher inspired them, and how extracurricular endeavors contributed to the desire to pursue their education in serving others. The candidates are moving on to nursing, psychology, education, economics, communications, history, engineering, biochemistry, speech pathology, business, political science, and social work.
Abigail Malone’s reading to preschoolers reinforced the concept of looking past appearances for true value. An elementary teacher relating a heartfelt story with her, provided a solid base to deal with challenges. Developing a DECA project with 4th grade students has led her to working with speech impaired children.
Lilly Walfield’s theatrical play taught her to think creatively and find imaginative answers. Her teachers at Danvers High School taught her to love learning and feel safe asking questions and making mistakes. Lilly’s job at the YMCA solidified her desire to become a teacher and be a positive role model for her students.
Educator, suffragist, and abolitionist Anne L. Page as a young woman
This opportunity is available to a Danvers High School senior who has been accepted into a post-secondary education program that offers a certification training and/or a degree. The candidate must have exhibited consistent participation in one or more of the following programs: Danvers High School Life Skills Program, The Danvers Best Buddies Chapter, Unified Basketball, Northeast ARC Friends of Special Olympics-Danvers Track & Field, DECA, and Student Assistantship Program.
To apply for the Anne L. Page scholarship, create a Going Merry account, and search under “Local Scholarships”. Contact the Danvers High School Guidance Department with further questions.