Not every successful future begins in the same place, and Newburyport Bank is working to make sure students pursuing different post-graduation paths feel equally supported as they begin their next chapter.
Through the inaugural River Run Opportunity Awards Program, Newburyport Bank recently recognized graduating seniors from Newburyport High School and Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School, awarding scholarships to students continuing on to college, community college, and careers in the skilled trades.
The program is designed around a simple idea: that opportunity is not one-size-fits-all. The scholarships are offered in two tracks—the Pathways Scholarship, supporting students pursuing higher education, and the Workforce Ready Career Kickstarter Scholarship, supporting students entering vocational fields and apprenticeships.
Lloyd Hamm, President and CEO of River Run Bancorp, said the program reflects a broader shift in how communities think about success after high school.
“For a long time, the assumption was that every student should go to a four-year college, and that anything else was settling. That assumption has cost a lot of families a lot of money and has left a lot of great careers undersupported and undervalued,” said Hamm. “The student heading to Northern Essex and the student walking into an apprenticeship on day one both deserve a community that’s in their corner.”
Newburyport Bank held its scholarship ceremony on June 10, bringing together students, families, and educators to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s recipients. Several students pursuing careers in the trades were accompanied by their future employers, highlighting the strong ties between education and local workforce development.
Dr. Allison Dolan Wilson, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Workforce & Academic Innovation at Northern Essex Community College, said the initiative reflects what she sees among students every day.
“Students today are making thoughtful, informed decisions about how to build a future that works for them, and community college is increasingly part of that calculation,” said Dolan Wilson. “We’re grateful to River Run for honoring that choice and for helping students see that their community is invested in their success, whatever form it takes.”
The River Run Opportunity Awards Program is funded through the charitable foundations of River Run’s affiliated community banks and supports each institution’s Community Reinvestment Act goals.
Newburyport Bank has served individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southeastern New Hampshire for generations, with a continued focus on strengthening the communities it calls home.