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The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has awarded the annual Vanessa Joy Van Gorder Memorial Scholarship for $2,000 to Bailey Tesseyman, a 2023 graduate of Sullivan West Central 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 Bailey Tesseyman will attend the University at Albany (SUNY) to study sociology. According to Bailey, “The development of the upcoming generation is both pivotal and vital. I think it’s incredibly important to help shape their view of the world so real change and progress can flourish.” In high school, she participated in several extracurricular activities including the art club, as a student ambassador for the Chi Hive in Narrowsburg, NY, and a member of STEAM.

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.