RIEEA is pleased to announce we’ve awarded five scholarships for students pursuing a college or university degree related to the environment: two “Gold Awards” for $2,000 per year for up to four years of study (i.e. up to $8,000 total per student) and two “Silver Awards” for $1,000 per year for up to four years of study (i.e up to $4,000 total per student).
Winners were selected from a competitive field of exceptional applicants. Scholarships were awarded to these students based on their demonstrated passion for the environment, outstanding community leadership, and exceptional success in their academic, professional, and volunteer endeavors.
- Aimée-Grace Robertson (gold award) of Exeter, RI, is a high school senior at the Paul Crowley East Bay Met School who looks forward to studying forestry and wildlife conservation in the fall. Aimée currently interns at Ashawaug Farm, has worked for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in their Youth Conservation League, and previously interned in the Forest & Fire Department at the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. She recently traveled to Hawai’i to take part in environmental restoration and food security projects.
- Nautica Vargas (gold award) received an associates degree from CCRI in General Studies with a concentration in sustainability last year and is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies at Rhode Island College. Nautica lives in Providence, RI with her 3-year-old son, and works part time as an educator with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council.
- Daria DiBiasio (silver award) is a junior at Eastern Connecticut State University in the Honors Program working towards a degree in Environmental Earth Science with a minor in Geographical Information Systems, all while balancing numerous jobs and serving as captain of Eastern’s soccer team. Daria lives in Carolina, RI, and has been conducting research on storm-related sediment deposits that lie within the Napatree Point Conservation Area in Watch Hill.
- Monika Kosiorowski (silver award) of Pawtucket is a senior at The Greene School and plans to study chemical and environmental engineering in the fall. Monika has volunteered with the What Cheer Flower Farm, Save The Bay, Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, and Audubon Society and has engaged in numerous research and hands-on projects in high school.
- Kai Roberts-Speaker (silver award), a senior at The Greene School who lives in North Smithfield, has been accepted into multiple colleges and universities to study botany and ecology. Kai has held internships with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, aiding in climate resilient forestry research, and is a core member of his school’s award-winning Envirothon team.
These scholarships were established with financial support from Michael and Karen Isenberg, with the goal of supporting a vibrant community of young environmental leaders in Rhode Island.