Ashland Business Association Awards Scholarships to Ashland High Seniors, Madeline Graves and Shane Leary

The Ashland Business Association (ABA) awarded two-$1,500 scholarships at its June 6 program to Ashland High School seniors Maddie (Madeline) Graves and Shane Leary.
“Both students more than exceed the scholarship criteria: good work ethics, motivation, creativity, and business/community interests,” Adam Sachs, scholarship committee chair, said.
As a sophomore, Maddie Graves created a photography business (Maddie Graves Photography) and now photographs weddings and bat/bar mitzvahs. For the past two summers Graves traveled to Mississippi for service work, building homes, and serving in soup kitchens. In 2015-16, she interned for the ABA’s social media program, helping the Friends of the Library to increase their outreach. She plans to attend the University of Maryland. She hasn’t decided on a major but wants to keep photography as “something she can fall back on.”
Having worked almost his entire life, Shane Leary said that he gets his strong work ethic from his parents. In 8th grade, Leary worked three jobs solely for community service. He is still employed with his first jobs, the MetroWest Sports Center and Fitzy’s Car Wash, and has moved up in responsibility. He also has a third job with Fleece and Tee’s, where he markets apparel. Leary has also been active in community service activities through his church helping elderly with yard work. He plans to attend the University of New Hampshire to study business administration and minor in sports management.
This year, top donors to the scholarship program ($100 and up) were 126 Self Storage; Adam and Joyce Sachs, Anne Marie’s Dance Center, Bill Gath, Realtor; Calculator Soup; CPR Services; Hanto Restaurant; Metro West Bookkeeping & Tax Service; Mexico City Taqueria; Needham Bank; The Family Pet Hospital; Tricia Kendall, Architect; and Zarella Dentistry. A complete list of donors is available on www.ashlandbusinessassociation.com.
The 2017 scholarship committee consisted of Adam Sachs, chair (Centinel Financial Group), Bill Gath (Realty Executives Boston West), Adam Elbirt (Ashland Education Foundation Inc.), M.R. Fletcher (Earthly Wealth Jewelry), and Claudette Rowe (Knowledge Points Learning Center).