Boston North Cancer Association

Our Hope Begins Here Scholarship recipient, Santina Marzio, is from Peabody. She attends Peabody Memorial High School, has an unweighted 3.9 GPA, and takes all honor and AP classes. She is also a member of the National Honors Society and Honor Roll. Santina is a student of Taekwondo, earning her 1st degree black belt junior year, and winning numerous championships. Additionally, she is the captain of the varsity tennis team, Class Advisor and works part-time at TJ Maxx. She also volunteers at St Adelaide’s Church, and tutors math for middle and high school students, and is a taekwondo instructor for children. When Santina was sixteen, her dad was diagnosed with Adrenal cancer. She said that she, “was worried I would lose my father, but my dad was one of the lucky few.” After surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and cryoablation therapy, her father is in remission. Cancer gave Olivia a first-hand realization of how frightening medical diagnoses are, and shifted her goals for the future. Olivia aspires to improve the lives of others experiencing what she felt during her father’s cancer by pursuing a degree in Biology to become a physician’s assistant. One of Santina’s teachers said, “I never met a student with this level of resilience, poise and strength, until I met Santina.” Santina will be the first to attend college in her family and will be heading to University of Massachusetts at Lowell this fall.

The recipient of our newly created Teri Hall Memorial scholarship is Maggie Nerich. She is from Lynn and attends Lynn Classical High School. She has a 4.0 weighted GPA, taking AP and Honor classes and is on the Honor Roll and National Honor Society. Maggie is a member of both the Varsity Soccer and Track Teams. She also works part-time at Swampscott Beach Club. Additionally, Maggie volunteers at My Brothers Table, the Sacred Heart Church Festival and as a Lynn Youth Soccer Coach. She also interned for the City of Lynn Public Health Division during the pandemic. Two years ago, Maggie’s father was diagnosed with Stage IV prostate cancer and underwent extensive treatment. Maggie’s first worry was losing her dad, and second that he would contract the coronavirus and become even sicker. Due to online schooling during the pandemic, Maggie was at home every day, witnessing her dad’s daily cancer battle. Because her mom was working long hours during the pandemic as a registered nurse, Maggie helped take care of her dad, and especially enjoyed baking his favorite deserts because he loves sweets so much. Maggie said, “I learned through watching my parents, my dad’s courage and mom’s selflessness, about putting others before myself, and the importance of spending time with the ones you love.” Maggie’s teacher commented that she, “is a hardworking, polite, and thoughtful young person, and her enthusiasm and perseverance will serve her well.” Her dad’s cancer diagnosis gave her a newfound passion for healthcare and nursing, and she will be attending Saint Anselm College pursing an undergraduate degree in nursing this fall.