Scholarships

The Lalonde Family Initiative is proud to announce the launch of the Lalonde Family Athletic Scholarships, effective with the 2023-24 school year. These scholarships will be awarded annually to outstanding local athletes throughout North Country, New York.

The Initiative's goal is to encourage participation in scholastic athletics, which give high school students the opportunity to build discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership skills. Through these scholarships, LFI aims to celebrate the strong, positive bond between scholastic athletes and the North Country community.

In 2026, LFI introduced the first year of a multi-year partnership with Al Tower, Jr., further expanding its support for North Country's student athletes.

The Lalonde Family Initiative congratulates each recipient on their athletic and academic achievements — accomplishments that exemplify the values and spirit of our mission.

2026 Scholarship Winners

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Mary Cate Dow

Mary-Cate is the recipient of the inaugural Allen Tower Jr. Scholarship. A four-year varsity soccer player, she helped lead St. Lawrence Central to Class C championships in 2023 and 2025, earning second-team All-Northern honors twice. She also won Class C championships with the varsity softball team (2024, 2025) and varsity basketball team (2024).

Dow served as class president, a Student Council member, and treasurer of the National Honor Society. She was also involved in the Spanish Club, Yearbook Committee, SACC Leadership Program, Prom Committee, and served as president of the Outing Club.

Soccer, Softball, Basketball
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Sophia Guerard

Sophia is the Class of 2026 valedictorian. She competed as a varsity soccer player and dancer. She served as president of the National Honor Society and secretary of the Student Council. Guerard also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Soccer, Dance
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Soccer, Softball, Cheer

Maddyson Bernard

Maddyson is a three-sport athlete who competed in varsity soccer, varsity softball, and cheerleading, serving as head captain her senior year. She participated in the BOCES New Visions Medical Careers Program and is a member of the National Honor Society. Bernard was selected to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum at Rice University.

A young man sitting on a park bench with arms outstretched, wearing a leather jacket with a shearling collar and blue jeans, in front of green trees and a small wooden structure. 
Cross Country, Track & Field

Brian Eggleston

Brian, recipient of the inaugural Bob Lalonde Scholarship Award, competed in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track, earning recognition as an Athlete of Distinction and qualifying for New York state championships in both cross country and track. While at Potsdam High School, he was a two-time recipient of the Sandstoner Award. Eggleston is a member of the National Honor Society and was involved in Boy Scouts.

2025 Scholarship Winners

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Merrick Frary

Merrick is a three-sport athlete, competing in lacrosse, hockey, and soccer, with a primary focus on lacrosse. He served as captain of all three teams this year. Frary earned First Team All-Northern honors and the Vern-Burrows Award, and led his soccer team to the Section X Sportsmanship Award. He was also named an Athlete of Distinction for his academic achievement.

Lacrosse, Hockey, Soccer
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Emma Montgomery

Emma served as one of the swim team captains this past year. In cheerleading, she earned the All-Northern Sportsmanship Award and, this past February, the First Team All-Northern Award at sectionals. She also took on a lead role in her school's musical, The Lightning Thief.

Swimming, Cheer
Portrait of a smiling young woman with curly light brown hair, wearing a white button-up shirt against a blue background. 
Hockey, Lacrosse

Alexis Smith

Alexis was part of two Section X Championship-winning hockey teams over her four years — one during her freshman season and the other during her senior season. She was also awarded the Section X Sportsmanship Award this past hockey season. Last spring, her lacrosse team won the Section after a hard-fought season.

2024 Scholarship Winners

Teen basketball player in St. Lawrence jersey numbered 10, standing on a court with other players in the background.

Austin Mason

Mason, a two-sport varsity athlete in basketball and soccer, finished his senior year as a Second Team All-Northern selection, two-year captain of the basketball team, and the leading goal-scorer for St. Lawrence Central's soccer team. He also earned Athlete of Distinction honors, recognizing his academic average of 90 or above throughout high school.

Basketball, Soccer
Two female athletes smiling outdoors, one with curly hair and face paint, wearing a football uniform and gloves, the other with straight hair, smiling in a jacket, with a group of people in similar uniforms in the background.

Kalissa Young

Kalissa is an all-around athlete at St. Lawrence Central, starting varsity all four years in soccer and basketball, and three years in softball. She earned back-to-back Second Team All-Northern selections in softball and basketball, and First Team All-Northern honors in soccer her senior year. She was also recognized as an Athlete of Distinction for her academic achievements.

Softball, Soccer, Basketball
Young woman swimming in a pool, smiling, wearing goggles. 
Swimming

Ella Bellinger

Ella has been a four-year member of St. Lawrence Central's swim team, serving as team captain. She has qualified for the New York State Championship in swimming since her sophomore year and earned a total of six First Team All-Northern and seven Second Team All-Northern selections across various events, including the 400-freestyle relay, where she broke the school record her junior year. Her honors include the Lisa Lane Award, Swimming Sportsmanship Award, and Athlete of Distinction recognition.

  • A group of seven people, four women and three men, standing in front of a backdrop with the logo for Lalonde Family Initiative. The group is smiling and dressed in semi-formal attire.

    2026 Scholarship Winners

  • Group photo of four people standing in front of a backdrop with the text 'Lalonde Family Initiative' repeated multiple times and a logo. The group includes two women and two men smiling, dressed in casual and business casual attire.

    2025 Scholarship Winners

  • Four people standing together in front of a backdrop with the Lalonde Family Initiative logo. From left to right: a young man in a navy polo shirt and gray pants, a young woman in a white dress, a woman with curly hair in a black and white patterned dress, and a bald man in a dark plaid suit with a white shirt and pink pocket square.

    Inaugural 2024 Scholarship Winners

  • Three black backpacks with 'Thule' logos and blue pens attached, arranged on a blue tablecloth. Below the backpacks, three certificates with signatures and headings that read 'Scholarship of Excellence' and 'Lalonde Family Athletic Scholarship' are displayed.

    Scholarship certificates