NORWICH – Deputy Superintendent Margaret Boice will have the honor of awarding $250 to one of Norwich’s graduating seniors through a scholarship created in her name by the Norwich City School District’s board of education in honor of her years of service to the school.
The creation of the scholarship was announced at the start of a school board meeting last week. Boice, who has served the district for close to 16 years, announced in January that she would be leaving Norwich for a position with the Ithaca City School District.
Before presenting her with a certificate commemorating the award, Board President Bob Patterson commended Boice for her hard work and dedication to the district.
“A scholarship is passing the torch and touching a life for a lifetime,” Patterson said. “Margaret has given half her lifetime to Norwich and now she will pass it on to one of our students.”
Boice will have the opportunity to both determine the criteria for the scholarship, and present it personally to its recipient during the senior awards night, he explained. The award has also been registered with Dollars for Scholars, so that if the recipient attends a participating college or university, the amount of the scholarship will be doubled to $500.
According to the board president, each member of the school board as well as Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan contributed to create the one time scholarship.
“Margaret has given a great deal to this school district and cares deeply about our students,” said School Board member Joe Stagliano. “We felt that instead of putting money towards a going away gift it would be more fitting to give the money to a student in Margaret’s name, hoping that this would leave a lasting impression on Margaret’s behalf.”
Boice was visibly moved by the gesture, which she said came as a great surprise.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to move on,” she said. “This is where my heart is.”