Ethel M. Cook Memorial Scholarships awarded

The Ethel M. Cook Memorial Scholarships were presented during the June 7 James H. Groves Adult High School graduation held at Sussex Tech in Georgetown.

Graduates from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 were honored together due to the pandemic.

The recipient from the Class of 2020 was Magalie Mathieu, who plans to pursue classes in nursing. The Class of 2021 recipient was Michelle Lynn LaMartina, who plans to enroll in postsecondary training to eventually become a veterinary assistant.

Each graduate was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to help further her education.

It was the 28th year of the scholarship to honor the memory of Ethel Cook, who graduated from James H. Groves High School in 1989 at the age of 79. The scholarship was established by her son, former Groves teacher Dan Cook, after her death in 1992. Ethel would always say, "You're never too old to learn."

The scholarship benefits graduates who had to stop attending high school due to hardship but returned to fulfill their dreams of getting a high school diploma and further their post-high school education.

"Graduating from James H. Groves meant so much to my mother," said Cook. "She was laid to rest wearing her class ring and holding her James H. Groves diploma. I'm so happy that we can continue to honor her memory while helping a graduate to continue their education."