SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the City of Salem Scholarship and Education Committee are delighted to announce the awarding of 10 scholarships to graduating Salem seniors heading to college this Fall. The scholarships, each valued at $500 this year, are made possible through the generous donations from the City of Salem Scholarship & Education Funds. The scholarship recipients were honored by Mayor Pangallo and the Committee at a ceremony at City Hall on Thursday, May 21.
The 2026 scholarship recipients are:
- Mariam Aleksanyan of Salem High School, who plans to attend Boston College.
- Holden Czahor of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
- Oscar Fernandez of Salem High School, who plans to attend Husson University.
- Rebecca Hurley of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, who plans to attend University of Vermont.
- Taleiysa Jones of Salem High School, who plans to attend the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
- Isabella Ortiz Cruz of Salem High School, who plans to attend Framingham State University.
- Jamiel Pepen of Salem High School, who plans to attend Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
- Olympia Roszko of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical High School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
- Sarah Silva of Salem Academy Charter School, who plans to attend University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
- And one student who wished to remain anonymous.
“Congratulations to the 2026 scholarship recipients and thank you to all the students who applied for consideration,” said Committee Chair Yamilis Cruz, “The pool of applicants this year was highly competitive, showcasing the quality, potential, and accomplishments of Salem’s youth. The Scholarship and Education Committee is deeply grateful to the many Salem residents who have donated to the fund, making these scholarships possible. I encourage all community members and businesses to consider donating to the Scholarship Fund or the Education Fund to continue supporting these vital efforts. Donations can be made online at www.salemma.gov/scholarship.”
“Congratulations to the ten Salem students who were awarded a scholarship this year,” said Mayor Pangallo. “I am grateful to the members of the Scholarship and Education Committee who volunteer their time and energy throughout the year to make this important City program possible. Thanks also to the many donors who fund these scholarships. In Salem we support our students in their academic careers, and we approach education as a community mission. The work of the Scholarship and Education Committee is a furtherance of that important effort.”
The City of Salem Scholarship and Education Funds, established in 1987, are largely funded through small donations by Salem taxpayers on their tax bills. Donations to both Funds are entirely tax-deductible, with 100% of all contributions going directly to scholarship and grant recipients. Funding support also comes from grants and gifts from businesses, foundations, and other community members. The Scholarship Fund provides educational financial aid to Salem students pursuing higher education, while the Education Fund offers supplemental educational funding for local educational needs. Scholarships are awarded annually, and Education Fund grants are distributed on a rolling basis throughout the year. For more information about the Committee or either of the Funds, including how to make a tax-deductible donation or apply for funding, visit www.salemma.gov/scholarship.
