Archive

2024 Scholarship

Winners

Congratulations to our 2024 winners Ryan Ponmahka and Abdul Algharib! They were asked what modern book will one day be considered a classic.

Mr. Ponmahka believes that Trevor Noah’s autobiographical novel “Born a Crime” will stand the test of time. The story dives into the many challenges Noah faced as a young man in Apartheid era South Africa, but makes tough topics approachable to all audiences using his unique comedic gift.

Mr. Algharib thinks that Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” breaks down barriers by blending an already amazing non-fiction situation with some artistic fictional direction that reach younger audiences.

Dates

The 2024 McMahon Scholars award covered the academic year starting fall 2023 and ending spring 2024.

Description of Award

The McMahon Scholars Program awarded one (2) $1000 scholarships towards any accredited higher learning institution or professional certification program. The 2024 award focused on the English Department.

Criteria for Award

• Must be a currently registered Senior (12th grade) at West Springfield High School
• Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must have received a final grade of “C” or below in at least one high school course
• Must be currently taking at least one (1) English class at West Springfield High School
• Must be interested in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related career/major
• Must submit a maximum 1-page response to the following question:

What modern book will one day be considered a classic? Why?

Selection Process

West Springfield High School provided a panel to select the winner of the scholarship. The 2024 award panel was comprised of faculty from the English Department.

2023 Scholarship

Winners

Congratulations to our 2023 winners Kyle Oimoen and Nesma Khalafalla! They had to decide what historic figure was deserving of a “most improved” trophy by any criteria they deemed fit.

Mr. Oimoen decided the Greek philosopher Socrates was worthy. He noted that Socrates was executed for questioning religious and political beliefs once considered standard and that the world looked at his life more favorably over time.

Ms. Khalafalla argued that Nelson Mandela improved as a person within his own lifetime. She cited his transition from an anti-government activist to president of South Africa. She also pointed out his ability to forgive past wrongs and solve problems through peaceful means.

Dates

The 2023 McMahon Scholars award covered the academic year starting fall 2022 and ending spring 2023.

Description of Award

The McMahon Scholars Program awarded one (2) $1000 scholarships towards any accredited higher learning institution or professional certification program. The 2023 award focused on the History Department.

Criteria for Award

• Must be a currently registered Senior (12th grade) at West Springfield High School
• Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must have received a final grade of “C” or below in at least one high school course
• Must be currently taking at least one (1) history class at West Springfield High School
• Must be interested in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related career/major
• Must submit a maximum 1-page response to the following question:

If you had to award a “Most Improved” trophy to anyone in history, who would it be and why?

Selection Process

West Springfield High School provided a panel to select the winner of the scholarship. The 2023 award panel was comprised of faculty from the History Department.

2022 Scholarship

Winner

Congratulations to our 2022 winner Kye Merrell! His response to the “was mathematics discovered or created” question was well thought out and impressive.

Mr. Merrell argued that mathematics is both discovered and created in the sense that the mathematical relationships already exist in nature, but finding ways to describe those relationships is created by humans. The McMahon Scholars team debated this topic at length, and Kye’s response challenged the founders’ view! We wish Kye the best of luck in his higher education endeavors and are certain he will be successful on any path he chooses.

Dates

The 2022 McMahon Scholars award covered the academic year starting fall 2021 and ending spring 2022.

Description of Award

The McMahon Scholars Program awarded one (1) $1000 scholarship towards any accredited higher learning institution or professional certification program. The 2022 award focused on the Math Department.

Criteria for Award

• Must be a currently registered Senior (12th grade) at West Springfield High School
• Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must have received a final grade of “C” or below in at least one high school course
• Must be currently taking at least one (1) math class at West Springfield High School
• Must be interested in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related career/major
• Must submit a maximum 1-page response to the following question:

Was mathematics discovered or created?

Selection Process

West Springfield High School provided a panel to select the winner of the scholarship. The 2022 award panel was comprised of faculty from the Math Department.

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2021 Scholarship

Winner

Congratulations to our 2021 winner Naomi Alemayehu! Her response to the “greatest scientific achievement” prompt was inspired and timely.

Ms. Alemayehu selected the development of vaccines as the greatest scientific achievement in human history citing increased life expectancy, past research serving as the foundation for the development of future techniques, and historical examples of vaccination success. The McMahon Scholars team has no doubt that Ms. Alemayehu will go on to have a positive impact on the world around her.

Dates

The 2021 McMahon Scholars award covered the academic year starting fall 2020 and ending spring 2021.

Description of Award

The McMahon Scholars Program awarded one (1) $1000 scholarship towards any accredited higher learning institution or professional certification program. The 2021 award focused on the Science Department.

Criteria for Award

• Must be a currently registered Senior (12th grade) at West Springfield High School
• Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must have received a final grade of “C” or below in at least one high school course
• Must be currently taking at least one (1) science class at West Springfield High School
• Must be interested in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) related career/major
• Must submit a maximum 1-page response to the following question:

What is the greatest scientific achievement in the history of mankind and why?

Selection Process

West Springfield High School provided a panel to select the winner of the scholarship. The 2021 award panel was comprised of faculty from the Science Department.