Residents’ association awards scholarship

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on May 3, 2024

Melissa Griswold, seated right, is the winner of the 2024 Chadds Ford Township Residents Association scholarship. Seated with her is her grandmother Lucile Mansfield. Standing, from left, are Katharine King, Melissa’s father Ken Griswold, mother Beth Mansfield-Griswold, Jody Allen, and Susan Worteck. King, Allen, and Worteck are members of the CFTRA.

The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association’s 2024 Scholarship Award winner is Melissa Griswold, a senior at Unionville High School. She received a certificate and a $1,500 award on May 2 at an event held at the Chadds Ford Township Pavilion.

The Association’s scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior living in Chadds Ford Township. The winner is selected based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community service and commitment to Chadds Ford. The scholarship demonstrates the association’s commitment to the future of the township and is awarded to accomplished students who have completed their secondary education and are pursuing higher education.

The association received a record number of applicants this year, but Melissa’s exceeded all the criteria. At Unionville, she excelled academically and was a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a member of the National, French and Tri-M Honor Societies. She held a 4.5 grade point average.

She was selected to represent Pennsylvania at the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute and named a Borlaug Scholar. At Unionville High School she founded the American Sign Language Club and sings in three choirs. On the UHS Speech and Debate Team, she excelled in Original Oratory.

Melissa’s interest in food insecurity led her to pursue several agricultural-focused activities outside of her high school endeavors. This includes her appointment as the Chester County Dairy Ambassador serving both Chester and Delaware County. She was involved in numerous aspects of 4-H as a State 4-H Ambassador, President of the Chester Valley Dairy Club, and Vice President of the Chester County 4-H Teen Council. In addition to receiving the 4-H state-level Diamond Clover Award, she was chosen as a delegate to 3 National 4-H Conferences. Melissa plans on attending Tufts University in the fall to study Community Health and Food Systems and Nutrition.

The Chadds Ford Township Residents Association is a volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to create a strong sense of community within the township, support its residents and businesses, and help retain the area’s unique historical quality and rural character. CFTRA activities and programs are funded through memberships and donations. To support CFTRA, go to https://cftra.org/member-resources/join/.