Three other Joel Barlow students receive recognition from Redding Republicans.
(Redding, June 3) Maya Cotter, a member of the Joel Barlow High School graduating class of 2024 and daughter of Andrew and Christina Cotter of Redding, was awarded the Redding Republicans’ Matthew L. Berry Memorial Scholarship, given at the school’s Award Night Ceremony on May 30th.
The scholarship, which is sponsored by the Redding Republican Town Committee and funded by the Berry family, is given annually to a graduating high school senior who demonstrates a commitment to using his/her higher education for the purpose of becoming an enlightened citizen who will make a difference in the world. The scholarship is in memory of Matthew L. Berry, a 2009 graduate of Joel Barlow High School and a 2013 graduate of Tulane University.
Miss Cotter is a high honors student at Joel Barlow. She is a member of both the National Honor Society and French Honor Society and holds a Seal of Biliteracy for proficiency in English and French. She was the 2023 winner of the St. Michaels College Book Award for social conscience and was named Student Sage Scholar, in recognition of students who excel in the classroom while being engaged in the community. At this year’s Barlow Awards Night, Ms. Cotter was also the recipient of these additional awards: the Maya Cotter Scholarship, presented by faculty in recognition of her excellence and all around engagement in the school community; the Myron and Claire Gordon Foundation Scholarship for leadership and service to both school and community; the Harrison T. Doyle Award for community service; the Joel Barlow Education Association Award. She was also recognized with awards for excellence in public speaking and achievements in academics and the arts.
Outside of the classroom, Maya’s been deeply involved with the Joel Barlow drama program and had leading roles in its productions of Carrie, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Macbeth and Beauty and the Beast. She’s also been a member of both the Joel Barlow golf and gymnastics teams. In 2022, she was awarded best in show at the Joel Barlow Art Gallery and won a first place in the Joel Barlow literature competition. Through the National Honor Society, Maya has been a volunteer tutor at Joel Barlow. Outside of school, her community service includes work as a Sunday school teacher and camp counselor with the First Church of Christ Congregational in Reddingandvolunteer with National Charity League, through which she has also been the recipient of both the Tea Rose Award, the Hourglass Award and the Presidential Award for community service. She was also a volunteer assisting director with the John Reed Middle School production of The Addams Family
This fall she will be attending Bryn Mawr College and plans to pursue education and theater.
“I am honored to receive the Matthew L. Berry Award and sincerely appreciate the generous scholarship,” said Miss Cotter. Leonard Berry, Matthew’s father, said, “We are very pleased to award the Matthew L. Berry Scholarship to Maya, who has clearly distinguished herself in so many ways and been the embodiment of an engaged and contributing member of both her school and community.” Jill Cilo, Chairman of the Republican Town Committee added, “It’s an honor for us to co-sponsor this award, together with the Berry family, and pay tribute to such an outstanding young person.”
Three other awards sponsored by the Republican Town Committee were given out to members of the Joel Barlow junior class at the Award Ceremony. They were:
The Ronald Reagan Award for excellence in history/government presented to Charles Pranzo.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for excellence in science/math presented to Willow Bradford.
The David A. Sanford Award for excellence in service to the Emergency Medical Services presented to Charles Dunlop.