The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has established a memorial scholarship in honor of Vanessa Joy Van Gorder, who tragically lost her life on December 26, 2014. Heron’s Eye Co-Founders Krista Gromalski and Sandy Long are honored to serve on the scholarship selection committee.
A recent graduate from West Chester University with a degree in education, Vanessa was passionate about the outdoors and loved exploring the lakes, rivers, and forests of the Upper Delaware River Region with her friends and family. The Conservancy established this scholarship in Vanessa’s memory and to honor her dream of becoming an educator.
Vanessa Joy Van Gorder
One scholarship in the amount of $1,000 per year will be awarded to a graduating senior from Wallenpaupack, Honesdale or Delaware Valley school districts who is pursuing a career in education or environmental stewardship. Students at eligible districts should contact their guidance counselors for an application, which are due by April 10, 2015.
“We were inspired by the number of individuals that stepped forward to make contributions in Vanessa’s memory, and we wanted to channel that inspiration to the next generation of students by helping them pursue their educational goals,” states Executive Director Sue Currier.
This scholarship is the second that the Delaware Highlands Conservancy is offering to area students, with the first established in 2004 in honor of the Conservancy’s founder, Barbara Yeaman, and open to schools in the Upper Delaware River region in both Pennsylvania and New York. If you wish to make a contribution to the scholarship fund, email the Conservancy or call 570-226-3164 or 845-583-1010.
The nonprofit land trust Delaware Highlands Conservancy works in partnership with landowners and communities of the Upper Delaware River region to conserve our natural heritage and quality of life.
Krista served as a board member of the Conservancy from 2006 – 2012. Heron’s Eye prepares and manages an annual marketing plan for Van Gorders’ Furniture and handles the company’s content marketing and social media.
