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Vanessa Joy Van Gorder

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has awarded the annual Vanessa Joy Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship for $2,500 to Elizabeth Bailey, a 2026 graduate of Delaware Valley High School.

The Vanessa Joy Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship was established in 2015 in honor of Vanessa, who passed away on December 25, 2014. A recent graduate from West Chester University with a degree in education, Vanessa was passionate about the outdoors and loved exploring the region with her friends and family. The Conservancy established this scholarship in Vanessa’s memory and to honor her dream of becoming an educator.

Recipient Elizabeth Bailey will attend the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she intends to study biology with a focus on conservation and environmental science. In high school, she was recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction; served as captain of the Varsity Swimming and Diving Team; was a member of the National Honor Society and a Student Council officer; and was a three-time chapter officer and national award winner in Future Business Leaders of America. She also participated in numerous other academic and athletic clubs. Elizabeth gave back to her community through volunteer service, including fundraising for United Way, teaching children about birds through a bird-feeder-building project at the local library, and distributing meals to local families. In her career, Elizabeth hopes to help protect the environment to ensure that places like the one she grew up in will continue to exist.

To continue to inspire youth and encourage study and careers in natural science and education, contributions to the scholarship fund and other environmental education and conservation initiatives can be made online or by mail to 571 Perkins Pond Rd, Beach Lake, PA 18405.