With plans for engineering careers, Paolino, Mascoli named recipients of WSA scholarships

With plans for engineering careers, Paolino, Mascoli named recipients of WSA scholarships

Warwick Beacon photo

SCHOLARSHIP: Pictured left in the front row are Councilman Joseph Solomon, Janine Burke, Jared Paolino, Patrick Mascoli, Mayor Avedisian and BettyAnn Rogers, WSA Laboratory Director/IPP coordinator and manager of the scholarship program. In the back row are Representative Joseph Solomon Jr., WSA board members Peter Ginaitt, Gary Marino and board chair Aaron Guckian.

"Have you ever thought of wastewater treatment?" Janine Burke, executive director of the Warwick Sewer Authority, asked two scholarship recipients last Thursday night.

The John A. Caruso Annual Scholarship began in 2003 in memory of John A. Caruso, a longtime member and chair of the WSA board.

Since its inception the scholarship has benefited 32 of Warwick's graduating seniors planning on continuing their education in the field of science and engineering, equating to over $50,000 in total.

The scholarships are funded through the WSA's Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP), which fines commercial facilities that violate discharge permit regulations.

Burke said. "This takes something negative, fining people who go against regulations, and turns it into something positive by helping Warwick's finest out in their studies."

Mayor Scott Avedisian joked that when you hear from the WSA it is often a problem, especially for businesses, because you have made some sort of violation; however, with the scholarship programs those fines can be out to good use besides just a punishment.

"When money comes in from fines that's all well and good, but we thought it would be best to put that back into the community," he said.

This year's scholarship recipients, Jared Paolino and Patrick Mascoli, both received $1,500.

Scholarship winners are chosen from a panel made up of WSA staff and board members who review each applicant's grades, letters of recommendations, extracurricular and community activities as well as financial need.

Burke, who also looks at all the applications, said that every year she is always "impressed" with the students from Warwick.

On Thursday night, there was a small ceremony in which the two students received their scholarships.

Diane Caruso Smith, John Caruso's daughter was in attendance. She said that she goes every year to see the students.

"This means the world to me," she said. "My father would have been thrilled to have been a part of this."

"We try our best to remember John's wisdom," Avedisian said.

Paolino, who recently graduated from Toll Gate High School, will attend the University of Vermont to study mechanical engineering this fall.

Mascoli, a June Pilgrim grad, will study chemical engineering at the University of Connecticut.

Avedisian encouraged the students to take what they learn in college and bring that knowledge back to their hometown.

"We look forward to hearing about the great things you accomplish," he said.

Source: With plans for engineering careers, Paolino, Mascoli named recipients of WSA scholarships