Bill & Mitzi Oakes Scholarship (VAST)

Award: Two $2,500 scholarships
Deadline: March 1, 2026
For: VAST members, their spouses, and/or dependents pursuing post-secondary education including vocational/technical programs.

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The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, Inc. (VAST) Scholarship Awards are limited to members of the association, their spouses and/or dependents. VAST awards two $2,500 scholarships annually. The awards are intended to help you further your education in any post-secondary school, including vocational/ technical education.

All applications are due no later than March 1st

Laurance and Mary Rockefeller Legacy Scholarship

Award: $500-$2,500
Deadline: March 6, 2026
For: Students in grades 10–12. Primary source materials available in Kat Robbins' office to support research.

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Overview

Laurance and Mary Rockefeller made a profound impact on the Woodstock community. Their visionary contributions, including the establishment of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Billings Farm & Museum, the renovation of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, and their support for cultural institutions like the Norman Williams Public Library, Pentangle Arts, and The Woodstock History Center, continue to inspire and enrich the lives of locals and visitors alike.

Laurance Rockefeller was a visionary who had the uncanny ability to look 50 to 100 years into the future, considering not just how he could impact the present, but to pioneer lasting changes that would span generations. This included championing environmental stewardship and investing purposefully in the cultural and economic vitality of places such as Woodstock for the community’s long-term benefit.

Several of these projects continue to benefit our community today:

• To preserve the historic working dairy established in 1871 by Frederick Billings, the Rockefellers established Billings Farm & Museum in 1983 as a non-profit educational organization open to the public.

• In 1992 Laurance and Mary donated their estate – including their historic residence, 550 acres of managed woodlands,and miles of carriage trails – to the National Park Service for the recreational use and benefit of Woodstock residents and visitors.

• To ensure Woodstock would retain its charm and historic character, the Rockefellers buried power lines under the main streets.

• To attract visitors and sustain a vibrant local community, the Rockefellers invested in the Woodstock Inn & Resort as well as special area features including Saskadena Six, the Woodstock Athletic Club, the Country Club and Nordic Center, which are now part of the Resort, but available to all in the community.

Today Billings Farm & Museum, the Woodstock Inn & Resort, and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park form a unique public-private partnership thanks to Laurance and Mary's pioneering vision. We have come together to jointly invite students in the Woodstock Union High School to examine the legacy of Laurance and Mary Rockefeller and be inspired to think about how actions we take today can shape this community years into the future. 

Submission guidelines

Explore Laurance and Mary Rockefeller’s contributions to the Woodstock community using the resources provided. Using this legacy as an inspiration, present your idea to make a positive and sustainable environmental, cultural, or economic impact in Vermont 25, 50, or 100 years into the future. In what ways can your idea benefit future generations?

Write an essay that includes the following elements:

• Explain how Laurance and Mary Rockefeller’s philosophy towards making a positive long-term impact for the community resonates with you.

• In the spirit of Laurance and Mary, describe your vision for a project or initiative that if undertaken today would have a positive impact on the environmental, cultural and/or economic sustainability of Woodstock or the surrounding areas 25, 50 to 100 years in the future. Describe the outcomes this initiative would seek to have and what it would mean to future generations.

• Think big, think creatively, think outside the box! Don’t place any limits on your ideas, but do keep the essay within the 1,000 word limit.

Optional: Prepare a multimedia component (e.g., photos, video, artwork, or interactive elements) that complements your essay and demonstrates your understanding of how Laurance and Mary Rockefellers’ approach inspired your idea.

Policies for essay submissions

• You must write your own essay.

• Essays should be typed in English with no color or graphics.

• The essay may be no longer than 1,000 words. Every word is counted regardless of length, including titles or footnotes

• The essay must be the applicant’s original work and a product of the applicant’s own thinking. Inappropriate use of ChatGPT or other AI tools is not allowed.

• An applicant’s teacher, counselor or parent may check the essay for punctuation, grammar and/or spelling, but the content must remain the applicants. Applicants will be judged on the basis of their essay alone and are not required to present the essay orally.

• All essays become the property of the Woodstock Foundation. The Woodstock Foundation retains non-exclusive rights to the use of your essay and likeness in the promotion and execution of the organization’s programs and activities.

• At any time during the contest additional participant personal information (i.e. SSN, photo, etc.) could be requested by the Woodstock Foundation.

• The winner of the top prize cannot be selected as a prize winner in future years.

Eligibility

This scholarship essay competition is open to students in grades 10–12 at Woodstock Union High School in Woodstock, Vermont.

Scholarship Awards

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock Inn & Resort are pleased to offer scholarship funds for up to three top submissions. Funds will be restricted to educational purposes. Payments will be made directly to educational providers (schools, educational programs, etc.)

• 1st Place:  $2,500

• 2nd Place: $1,000

• 3rd Place:    $500

Windsor Elks #1665 Scholarship

Award: $1,000 | Deadline: March 6, 2026
For: Students continuing education at a 2-year or 4-year college or technical program who are either residents of Windsor, Brownsville, Hartland, or Reading, OR related to a Windsor Elks Lodge member.

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Students continuing education at a 2-year or 4-year college or technical program who meet one of the following:

• Resident of Windsor, Brownsville, Hartland, or Reading, OR

• Relative of a Windsor Elks Lodge member

Selection Criteria: Strong volunteer/charitable service, leadership skills, and commitment to community and humanitarian efforts.

How to Apply: Applications available at your high school Main Office, at the Windsor Lodge, or by emailing c.sylvia@comcast.net for an electronic copy. Applications must be received at Windsor Lodge by March 6, 2026.

Casella Scholarship for Equipment Operators and Diesel Mechanics

Award: $5,000 | Deadline: March 15, 2026
For: Students actively continuing education in Heavy Equipment and/or Diesel Mechanics Fields

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Casella’s Power of Hard Work Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors pursuing further education in Heavy Equipment Operations or Diesel Mechanics.

Eligibility and Details:

• Must be on track to graduate high school and meet all graduation requirements

• Must plan to continue education in Heavy Equipment Operations and/or Diesel Mechanics

• Scholarship funds will be paid directly to your educational institution

• Application deadline: March 15

• Recipients announced in April and recognized at graduation ceremonies or award nights

NOTE: Applications must be filled out electronically, downloaded and emailed to tony.volpone@casella.com for further consideration.

Knights of Columbus Vermont State Council Scholarship

Award: Five $1,000 scholarships | Deadline: March 15, 2026
For: High school seniors graduating June 2026 who are sons/daughters of Knights of Columbus members in good standing (or deceased members who were in good standing).

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To qualify you must be a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2026 AND a son or daughter of a Knight of Columbus member (paternal or legally adopted) in good standing in a subordinate Council within the Vermont jurisdiction. Sons or daughters of deceased members are also eligible if their father was in good standing at the time of his death. An applicant may be a member of the Knights of Columbus or a member of a Columbian Squires Circle, in the jurisdiction of Vermont and a high school senior qualifying to graduate in June 2026.

Five $1,000.00 scholarships will be given by the Vermont Knights of Columbus to assist recipients with their education at an accredited Tech School or College of their choice.

Dr. Alice Angney Scholarship for Leadership and Service

Award: $3,000 | Deadline: Noon, March 23, 2026
For: Vermont high school students demonstrating initiative in overcoming challenges, leadership, service to community, and academic achievement. Applications available in Main Office or online.

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The Dr. Alice Angney Scholarship for Leadership and Service is a $3,000 award presented to a graduating Vermont high school student who demonstrates:

• Initiative in overcoming a specific challenge

• Leadership and service to community

• Academic achievement

• Commitment to furthering their education after high school

Applications and accompanying materials can be submitted via email, mail, or completed online. The deadline for all materials is noon on Monday, March 23, 2026. Paper copies are available in the Main Office at WUHSMS.

Aviation and aircraft maintenance scholarships

Award: Multiple, TBA | Deadline: March 31, 2026
For: Students interested in pursuing careers in aviation

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Aero Club of New England sponsors several scholarships including for the following:

• Primary Pilot Training

• Instrument Pilot Training

• Advanced Pilot Training

• Aviation Maintenance Technology

• Aviation Management

• Scholarships for women

All information, requirements, and applications are available on the Aero Club of New England website.
Deadline for applications to be submitted is March 31, 2026