Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship

Recipients and presentations

2011

Edina High School; May 2011
 

Good morning,

On behalf of the Farris family who were unable to make this morning's award ceremony, I am extremely pleased to present the fourth annual Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Edina High School. Jon & Roberta Farris have asked me to read a statement for them.

"Every year, for the past four, we have been privileged to read and learn about many of Edina High School's truly amazing students. What each of you has accomplished is nothing less than a tribute - to your talent, your desire and your passion for life. What you have accomplished is also a tribute to Edina's wonderful teachers and staff, and we know they, too, are extremely proud of you.

This scholarship is given at Edina High School and also Somerville high school in Massachusetts, in memory of our son Paul, who was violently taken from us on the streets of Somerville in May 2007. A precious life, only 23 at the time, killed for no reason and without warning. You can learn much more about Paul at paulfarris.org.

None of us knows for sure where we'll be next month, next year, or the next decade. But we can definitely control how we live life today, how we treat others around us, and what we will try to do to make this world a little bit better place to live in. Paul was that kind of person, and we are very proud of him.

Today we continue our tradition of awarding scholarships to students who are respectful, caring and who have exhibited a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, or other extracurricular activities. Although the choices were once again very impressive, the 2011 Edina student we selected represents these qualities very well. It was difficult to narrow our choice down to one student, but Christina Robb presented a thoughtful, well written and motivating essay. Like so many of the applicants, Christina has given back to her school and to her community. Christina's passion is in dance and it is clear to see that she is driven to achieve her dreams though focus, dedication, determination and effort.

Christina said in her application, 'My life always has a theme song, it changes every day but there is a beat or tune in my head that my heart dances to even when my body is still...' She also stated, 'If I can help someone in even the smallest way to have a better day I will, even just to say hi or send a smile their way...' We found this is interesting because Christina's statements and sentiments reflect our son Paul's passion and caring. Paul truly had a positive influence on many people, even if only for 23 years. We believe that Christina will also make meaningful contributions throughout her college studies and career. So congratulations to Christina - we are extremely pleased to present you with the 2011 Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship."

On behalf Paul Farris' family, thank you and congratulations to each of today's other scholarship recipients.

Somerville High School; May 2011

Good evening,

On behalf of the Farris family who were unable to make this evening's awards ceremony, I am extremely pleased to present the fourth annual Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Somerville High School. The Farris's have asked us to read a statement for them.

"Every year, for the past four, we have been privileged to read and learn about many of Somerville High School's truly amazing students. What each of you has accomplished is nothing less than a tribute - to your talent, your desire and your passion for life. What you have accomplished is also a tribute to Somerville's wonderful teachers and staff, and we know they are proud of you too.

This scholarship is given at Somerville, Massachusetts and Edina, Minnesota high schools, in memory of our son Paul, who was violently taken from us on the streets of Somerville in May 2007. A precious life, only 23 at the time, killed for no reason and without warning. You can learn much more about Paul at paulfarris.org.

None of us knows for sure where we'll be next month, next year, or the next decade. But we can definitely control how we live life today, how we treat others around us, and what we will try to do to make this world a little bit better place to live in. Paul was that kind of person, and we are very proud of him.

Tonight we continue our tradition of awarding scholarships to students who are respectful, caring and who have exhibited a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, or other extracurricular activities. Although the choices were impressive, the 2011 Somerville students we selected represent these qualities very well. It was difficult to narrow our choice down to one student, so similarly to a prior year we have elected to award two scholarships, one to Salvador Moises Zelayandia-Pineda and one to Mitchell Freitas.

Both Salvador and Mitchell presented thoughtful, well written and motivating essays. Like so many of the applicants, they have each given back to their school and to their community. They each have a passion, Salvador with music and Mitchell with film. It is clear to see that they are each driven to achieve their dreams though focus, dedication, determination and effort.

Salvador said in his application, 'I cannot go without one week or one day without hearing or playing music' and Mitchell commented, 'I want to make change. To bring the world something never experienced before.' This is interesting because these statements and sentiments reflect our son Paul's passion and his desire to make a difference. Paul truly had a positive influence on many people, even if only for 23 years. We believe that Salvador and Mitchell will also make meaningful contributions throughout their college studies and their respective careers. So congratulations to Salvador Moises Zelayandia-Pineda and Mitchell Freitas - we are extremely pleased to present you with these 2011 Paul Farris Memorial Scholarships."

On behalf Paul Farris' family, thank you, good night and congratulations to each of tonight's other scholarship recipients.

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2010

Edina High School; May 2010

Good Morning,

On behalf of the Roberta and Jonathan Farris who were unable to make this morning's awards ceremony, I am pleased to present the third annual Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Edina High School. They have asked me to read a statement on their behalf.

We are honored to support the Edina School District through this scholarship in the memory of our son and to carry on a legacy for him. This is the third year presenting the scholarship, now less than a week away from the third anniversary of Paul's unnecessary and tragic death.

Roberta and I established these scholarships in Edina, where Paul grew up and where we lived for 20 years and also in Somerville, Massachusetts, the city where Paul went to college and where he ultimately died. These scholarships continue to be awarded to students who are respectful, caring and who have exhibited a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, and other extracurricular activities.

Paul loved his years at Edina High School. We have many wonderful memories of awesome teachers and mentors and of so many amazing concerts and shows. In 2002 Paul moved to the East. He was a Tufts' University magna cum laude graduate and was working in Boston while preparing for law school. Paul strived to do his very best in all that he pursued, whether it was schoolwork, his band, his work or his play. His passions also had another quality - he tackled everything with a smile and with an absolute can-do attitude. And that is most what we look for in our scholarship recipient selection and what we found in Edina this year. We were pleased that most candidates spent time learning more about Paul at our website PaulFarris.org. We hope that everyone here today has a chance to visit our website and learn more.

For the second year we could not narrow our choice down to just one student, so we are presenting two $2,000 scholarships in Edina. This year's amazing recipients are Taylor Lentz and Liv Redpath. Taylor and Liv's submissions were indeed impressive.

   Liv

Taylor, an AP Scholar, is heading off to Paul's alma mater Tufts University to double major in computer science and music. She opened her application with the statement "If I had to thank three people for getting me where I am now they would be my mom, my sixth grade math teacher, and my high school counselor." She plays piano & saxophone, is a section leader for Marching Band and Pep Band and plays first part alto saxophone in Concert Band. She is extensively involved with school and outside activities and has significant community involvement and volunteerism.

Liv will attend Harvard (after selecting that school over Julliard!) and continue her passion for classical music and opera. Liv had an equally amazing and fun resume, saying that "Everyone loves my name (pronounced Leev) for its versatile use in puns, such as "Let's leave, Liv!" She is an extremely passionate musician who has sung with Project Opera at the Minnesota Opera, EHS's Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Thespians, and the MN All-State Choir. And in case that isn't enough, Liv also plays piano and trumpet.

We'd love to read Taylor and Liv's scholarship applications this morning, but they are a combined thirteen (13) pages of single spaced, amazing accomplishments. Taylor and Liv each have wonderful talents and skills and will certainly excel wherever life takes them. We are pleased to have them as Edina High School's 2010 Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship recipients.

On behalf the Farris family, thank you and congratulations Taylor and Liv - please keep us updated on your many adventures and successes.

 
Somerville High School; May 2010

Good Evening,

On behalf of the Farris family who were unable to make this evening's awards ceremony, we are extremely pleased to present the third annual Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Somerville High School. They have asked us to read a statement on their behalf.

"We are honored to support the Somerville School District through this scholarship in the memory of our son, Paul, who died in Somerville in May 2007, as an innocent victim of a high speed police chase.

In 2010 we are continuing two scholarships, one in Somerville and another in Edina, Minnesota where Paul grew up. These scholarships continue to be awarded to students who are respectful, caring and who have exhibited a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, and other extracurricular activities.

Paul moved to Boston in 2002. He was a Tufts' University graduate and was working in the Boston area while preparing for law school. During these five years Paul lived in Somerville and Medford.

Paul was a passionate young man and he lived his life that way. He strived to do his very best in everything that he pursued, whether it was his schoolwork, his band, his work or his play. Paul's passions also had another quality - he tackled everything with a smile and with an absolute can-do attitude. And that is what we look for in our scholarship recipient selection.

In 2010 we were given a large and amazing group of graduating students to select from. We were pleased, based upon the response to supplemental questions which we ask, that candidates spent time learning about Paul at our website www.PaulFarris.org. We hope everyone here tonight has a chance to visit our website and learn more about Paul.

It is clear that Somerville High School has many students who will head off to colleges and careers where they will indeed excel. We believe one of those students is Ritesh Adhikari, our 2010 scholarship recipient.

Ritesh's application was modest, but also forceful. He is proud, yet also humble. Ritesh has great grades, volunteerism in and out of school and a growing passion for music. He has an amazingly clear vision of a future where his contributions will indeed make a difference - for his family, for his friends, and for the world in which he lives. We are very pleased to have Ritesh Adhikari as Somerville High School's 2010 Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship recipient. Congratulations Ritesh and please stay in touch."

One final note for tonight's ceremony. The Farris' are also pleased to announce that in addition to Ritesh's scholarship, they have extended their scholarships for last year's Somerville recipients, Huong Nguyen and Rebecca Wood-Spagnoli. They are proud of these young women's college Freshman year results and are especially appreciative that they regularly contact the Farris' with updates on their studies and activities.

On behalf Paul Farris' family, thank you, good night and congratulations to each of tonight's scholarship recipients.

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2009
 
Edina High School; May 2009

 
Good morning,

We are very pleased to be at today's scholarship breakfast, to see so many of our friends and to carry on with what we hope will be a legacy for our son through the Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Edina High School. This is our second year presenting this scholarship, now less than two weeks away from the second anniversary of Paul's tragic death in Boston.

After Paul died we wanted to do something meaningful to honor his spirit and also do something that supports the community where he grew up. As a result, the Farris family has established scholarships here in Edina and also at Somerville High School, the city where Paul went to Tufts University and where he ultimately died. These scholarships are presented to individuals who are respectful and caring students and who have exhibited a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, or another extracurricular activity.

When we received the applications for last year's scholarships there really wasn't much information to tell us about the candidates as individuals and citizens of the community. As a result, Roberta and I added a supplemental application for all candidates - first so they can learn about Paul and second so we can learn more about how they exhibit this passion for music or the arts and how they display that passion in their lives. Through our new website, paulfarris.org, the candidates can now see and hear Paul. And through the supplemental application questions they can weave a story about their plans and passions to help us with the selections.

This year's submissions were truly marvelous. What an amazing group of talented and motivated young men and women graduating from Edina's class of 2009. The scholarship decision process was incredibly difficult and although each submission was terrific, several stood out for us. So therein lay the dilemma - a virtual draw between two equally qualified candidates - but a single scholarship. So our simple solution for 2009 is to present two $2,000 scholarships, one each for Anthony Matthes and Molly Russell.

Anthony will be attending the University of Minnesota and has been accepted into the prestigious Guthrie Theater BFA Program - truly an honor. Molly had narrowed her choices down to a couple of pretty amazing schools that you possibly have heard of - NYU and USC and after much deliberation, she decided she likes the Pacific Ocean better than the Atlantic, so off to California she'll be going!

Anthony and Molly exemplify the spirit that Paul Farris had - active in school and community, caring for friends and family and passionate about their art. We hope that both Anthony and Molly continue to live their lives with the exact same zeal and enthusiasm that Paul always did and we also sincerely hope that each of you keep in touch with Roberta and me to share your future successes.

So congratulations again to Anthony and Molly for being the dual 2009 recipients of the Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship. Never stop pursuing your passion - we know that's what Paul expects from you.

Somerville High School; May 2009

Good evening,

On behalf of the Farris family who were unable to make this evening's festivities, I am extremely pleased to present the second annual Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Somerville High School. The Farris' are honored to support the Somerville School District by honoring the memory of their son, Paul, who died tragically in Somerville just two years ago tonight, on May 27, 2007. The Farris' have established two scholarships, one here in Somerville and another in Edina, Minnesota where Paul grew up and went to high school. These scholarships are presented to individuals who are respectful and caring students and who have exhibit a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, or another extracurricular activity.

Although Paul was born and raised in the Midwest, much of his family lives in Massachusetts and Maine. Paul moved to Boston in 2002. He was a Tufts' University graduate, working in the Boston area and preparing for law school. Paul had lived in both Medford and Somerville. Paul was a passionate young man and he lived his life that way. He always strived to do his very best in everything that he pursued, whether it was his schoolwork, his rock band, his work or his play. Paul's passions also had another quality - he tackled everything with a smile and with an absolute can-do attitude.

2009 was the first year that the Farris' asked the candidates to complete a supplemental application, with the intent to learn more about those students who were applying. The candidates were told that the Farris' have started a website, www.PaulFarris.org, where they could learn more about Paul, see photographs, listen to his music and also learn about the family's advocacy against high speed police pursuits. The Farris' hope that everyone here tonight has a chance to go to the website to find out more about Paul.

The Farris' were very impressed with the quality and depth of this year's Somerville and Edina candidates and it turned out to be an extremely difficult decision process. It was so difficult that instead of awarding one scholarship each in Somerville and Edina, they are awarding two $2,000 scholarships at each of the high schools.

Rebecca Wood-Spagnoli's and Huong Nguyen's applications truly stood out. Both of these young women exemplify the spirit that Paul Farris had - active in school and community, caring for friends and family and passionate about their art. We truly hope that hope that Rebecca and Huong continue to live their lives with the same zeal and enthusiasm that Paul did and that they each demonstrated throughout high school. The Farris' also sincerely hope that Rebecca and Huong keep in touch with them to share their future successes.

So congratulations again to Rebecca and Huong for being the 2009 recipients of the Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship. Never stop pursuing your passion - we know that's what Paul would expect from you.

On behalf of the Farris family, thank you, good night and congratulations again to Rebecca, Huong and to all of tonight's other scholarship recipients.

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2008

Edina High School; May 2008

Good morning,

We are here this morning to present the first Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Edina High School.

First and foremost, this is a day to recognize some very special students graduating from Edina High School. As a family, we are honored to have an opportunity to support the Edina School District and in particular, student Preston Haining to whom our very first Scholarship is being presented.

When our family decided to establish these scholarships at Edina High School and also at Somerville High School, the city where Paul went to college and where he died, we tried to put a slightly different twist on the qualifications. Specifically we requested that "The candidate must be a respectful and caring student exhibiting a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, or another extracurricular activity."

That was our Paul and that's how we'd like him to be remembered.

We think that Preston represents those qualities. Preston has a very impressive resume including the Boy Scout's highest achievement - the Eagle Scout Award. Preston also is a tremendous musical talent for which he has exhibited a passion for many years. Congratulations Preston!

Roberta and I wanted to do something meaningful to honor Paul's memory. Paul was taken from us in a horrific and totally unnecessary car crash, when a MA State Trooper pursued an SUV onto the streets of the most densely populated city in New England. The SUV struck a cab in which Paul and his girlfriend Kate were riding. Paul and the taxi driver died, and Kate spent the first four tenuous months in the hospital and the last eight months struggling to recover fully.
Paul moved to Boston in 2002, right after high school. He was a Tufts' University graduate. He was working in the Boston area and was preparing for law school. Paul was a passionate young man and he lived his life that way. He always strived to do his very best in everything that he pursued, whether it was his schoolwork, his rock band, his work or his play. Paul's passions also had another quality - he tackled everything with a smile and with an absolute can-do attitude. We hope that each of you here will live your lives with this same zeal and enthusiasm.

So congratulations again to Preston Haining for being the first recipient of this scholarship. Never stop pursuing your passion - we know that's what Paul would expect from you.

Thank you and congratulations to all of today's other scholarship recipients.

Somerville High School; May 2008

Good evening,

My cousins the Farris' have asked me to present the first Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship at Somerville High School tonight.

First and foremost, tonight is a night to recognize some very special students graduating from Somerville High School. As a family, we are honored to have an opportunity to support the Somerville School District and in particular, student William Henriksen to whom the first $2,000 Paul Farris Memorial Scholarship is being presented.

When our family decided to establish scholarships at Paul's high school in Minnesota and also here in Somerville, we tried to put a slightly different twist on the qualifications. Specifically we requested that "The candidate must be a respectful and caring student exhibiting a love of learning and a passion for music, the arts, or another extracurricular activity."

That was our Paul and that's how we'd like him to be remembered. We think that William represents those qualities. William has a very impressive resume - with terrific grades and a tremendous musical talent including violin, viola, guitar and vocals. Congratulations William!

The Farris' wanted to do something meaningful to honor their son Paul's memory. Paul was taken from us in a horrific and totally unnecessary car crash, when a MA State Trooper pursued an SUV onto the streets of Somerville. The SUV struck a cab in which Paul and his girlfriend Kate were riding. Paul and the taxi driver died, and Kate spent the first four tenuous months in the hospital and the last 8 months struggling to recover.

Although Paul was born and raised in the Midwest, much of his family lives in Massachusetts and Maine. Paul moved to Boston after high school in 2002. He was a Tufts' University graduate. He was working in the Boston area and was preparing for law school. Paul was a passionate young man and he lived his life that way. He always strived to do his very best in everything that he pursued, whether it was his schoolwork, his rock band, his work or his play. Paul's passions also had another quality - he tackled everything with a smile and with an absolute can-do attitude. We hope that each of you here will live your lives with this same zeal and enthusiasm.

So congratulations again to William Henriksen for being the first recipient of this scholarship. Never stop pursuing your passion - we know that's what Paul would expect from you.

Thank you, good night and congratulations to all of tonight's other scholarship recipients.

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