The City of Salem, in partnership with Waste Management, are pleased to announce Jessica Valatka as the 2024 recipient of the City of Salem and Waste Management Scholarship. Each year, the program offers a $1,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a college or graduate level program focused on environmental sustainability.
Jessica was awarded the scholarship for her essay in which she proposes that the City creates more community gardens, strengthens bike safety and accessibility, and increases climate change education.
“I’m pleased to offer my congratulations to Jessica on winning this award for her well-researched and forward-thinking essay, and I wish her the best of luck as she furthers her education in environmental sustainability,” said Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “I’d also like to thank Waste Management for making this scholarship opportunity available.”
Jessica has lived in Salem her entire life and has been part of the Salem Public Schools throughout her K-12 experience. She grew up going to countless community events all around the city. This year, she is attending UMass Amherst, majoring in Resource Economics. Jessica is interested in studying Sustainable Urban Planning & Design. She hopes to learn how to add sustainable infrastructure (such as pedestrian/bike lanes, renewable energy, community gardens, etc.) into cities so that sustainability is the more efficient, accessible, and affordable choice for people’s everyday lives. It would promote an overall healthier way of life and decrease unnecessary material consumption (especially of fossil fuels, plastics, and other pollutants).
