Educators
Fall Newsletter: Liza Manchester, Program Director
Late in July, I joined the staff at the Mary Lyon Foundation. The team had just moved into a new office space at Mohawk Trail Regional School the week before, yet they were ready to welcome me with open arms — and put me to work right away! During my first week, I had the…
Read MoreFall Newsletter: Sarah Burrell, Development Associate
Summer at the Mary Lyon Foundation has been anything but sleepy! While students enjoyed their break and teachers recharged their batteries, we seized the moment to play musical chairs with our office space. In true small-but-mighty team fashion, we packed up our entire operation and migrated to a bigger, and more well suited classroom space…
Read MoreChampioning Education and Community
Ellen “Elle” Miller has called West County home for 40 years. When she purchased an old farmhouse at 22 years old, she set the stage for a life dedicated to service. As a former teacher and current trustee and secretary of the Mary Lyon Foundation, Elle’s story is one of sustained commitment born from a…
Read MoreLetter from the Executive Director: Spring 2023
Spring has sprung, and it’s time to celebrate the tireless work of our Volunteers! April is National Volunteer Month, and the Mary Lyon Foundation is exceptionally grateful for the service of our volunteers. Their impact is immeasurable. The Mary Lyon Foundation has eleven volunteers who assist us with our grocery delivery program through Hilltown Church’s…
Read MoreLetter from the Executive Director: Winter 2023
The new year is a time of renewal and a time to reflect on the year past. When I look back over the last year, I am grateful to all of you for supporting the vision and mission of the Mary Lyon Foundation. Our community’s children, families, and educators are better equipped because of you.…
Read MoreMTRS Senior Capstone Project
The Mary Lyon Foundation is proud to assist students by providing financial support to complete educational projects. The MTRS Senior Capstone is a long-term independent project that all seniors are required to complete before graduation. Students choose from an array of disciplines to design their projects, perform in-depth research, and set realistic goals to make…
Read MoreMary Lyon Foundation News
Mary Lyon Spearheads the Development of a College and Career Readiness Center at Mohawk Trail Regional Schools The Foundation is delighted to confirm that we recently received $30,000 in grant funding from the Mary Stuart Rogers Foundation, which will be used to establish a Career and College Counseling Center in the high school library. The…
Read MoreMary Lyon Foundation & MTRDS Partner on Literacy Program
When Kristen Tillona-Baker took the reins at Mary Lyon Foundation one year ago, she knew that collaborating with the Mohawk Trail Regional School District (MTRSD) would be essential for success. After all, educators are integrally connected to the day-to-day wellbeing of students in our region. After contacting the school district, Kirsten found a kindred spirit…
Read MoreBoard Spotlight: Laurie Benoit
Laurie Benoit has been involved with higher education philanthropy for the entirety of her career. She was drawn to fundraising because of her strong desire to make a difference in the lives of students, families, and educators. More specifically, Laurie always had a desire to give back and contribute in a meaningful way in the…
Read MoreBoard Spotlight: Meet Karen Fairbrother!
Karen has been an integral part of the Mary Lyon Foundation for over a decade. In addition to serving as a general Board member, she has guided the Foundation as both board treasurer and assistant treasurer. A woman of many talents and of great intelligence, Karen held various roles throughout her career, both before and…
Read More