Eric Sinacori Memorial Scholarship

Jacklyn Adu

Jacklyn Adu (BS, Kinesiology)

Jacklyn Adu is a junior kinesiology major who enjoys going to the gym, reading, and all things fashion! She is interested in the field of kinesiology because she is fascinated with the human body and learning about how the body works. She can learn the most about the human body in this field of study, from anatomy and physiology to nutrition and fitness. Kinesiology also offers her a wide range of career choices that she had never considered. Her hope after graduating from UMass is to attend graduate school to be a pediatric Physician Assistant.

I would like to formally thank you for choosing me as the recipient of the Eric Sinacori Memorial Scholarship. I am truly grateful that you took the time to hear my voice. This scholarship does not only mean a great deal to me, but to my family as well. As a first generation student and the child of a single parent, this scholarship will lessen the financial burden on my family. This will also allow more time for me to excel in my courses and accomplish my academic goals. I believe I have a long road ahead of me, and this scholarship will provide me with the support I need to keep going. Once again, I would like to say thank you for believing in me and the career I would like to pursue in the future.

Esther Wallace Scholarship

Julia Hinckley

Julia Hinckley

Julia Hinckley is a freshman of the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst. A Norton, Mass. native, Julia is majoring in Kinesiology and on a track toward becoming a physician’s assistant. During her first semester at UMass, she joined the Public Health Club to further support her interests. During high school, she interned at a physical therapy practice. Also, she had the unique experience of being able to shadow an orthopedic physician assistant multiple times, both in the operating room at New England Baptist Hospital and in the office during patient visits, which solidified her commitment to a future in public health.

It is with sincere gratitude that I accept the Esther Wallace scholarship toward my studies at UMass Amherst. This scholarship will help to alleviate some of my financial responsibilities and allow me to put my efforts toward my studies on a path to becoming a physician assistant. This scholarship will ultimately support my goals, allowing me to be of service to others in the medical field. Thank you very much for this generous gift!

Ava Gonsalves

Ava Gonsalves is the fall 2022 recipient of the Esther Wallace Scholarship. She was recognized during the 2023 SPHHS Awards Celebration in spring 2023.

I want to take the time to thank you for choosing me as the recipient for this year's scholarship. I am a first-year student at UMass Amherst in the school of Public Health and Sciences as a kinesiology major hoping to become a physical therapist. I am deeply grateful and honored to be chosen for this, and cannot thank you enough for it. This truly does mean a lot to my family and I. Moving forward, I will be able to focus on my academics as well and not allow my financial responsibilities to overwhelm me, which I am so blessed to even say. Again, thank you for your time and consideration for this scholarship and opportunity.

Academics have always been hard for me growing up, as I was always so hard on myself for making sure I got the A. However, when I reached my senior year of high school, I soon began to see how all these so-called ‘perfect grades’ do not define you as an individual. What truly matters in this world, and how others will perceive you is your character. This can range from Being on a sports team, club team, or helping in your own community. These activities not only permit me to create so many amazing memories and friendships, but also allow me to grow as an individual and learn so much about myself, and how I want to give back to others.

I plan on pursuing a career in physical therapy in the future to work with individuals who have been injured and get back to doing what they love. I am a very active person, and growing up I was involved with sports such as soccer, lacrosse, and track. My freshman year, I had made the varsity soccer team, and I had never felt so 
proud and excited for myself. However, in the first scrimmage I was injured and sprained my ankle. Unfortunately, I was out for a longer period of time as a sprain takes longer to heal. However, when going to physical therapy and seeing others with even more heartbreaking injuries, it makes me realize some of these people have incredible lives and were missing out on some admirable things due to these injuries. Therefore, I want to be there for people like the ones I saw at physical therapy not only as a doctor but as a friend, to let them know they are not alone and are going to get back to their remarkable lives and accomplish great things.

Frank Rife Undergraduate Scholarship in Kinesiology

Maria Fabiano

Maria Fabiano (BS, Kinesiology)

Maria Fabiano is a senior kinesiology major on the pre-physical therapy track. She became interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy after receiving treatment for injuries of her own and seeing the positive impact that physical therapists have on their patients. The shadowing experiences Maria participated in at several clinics throughout her undergraduate career further solidified her passion to pursue a career in physical therapy. Maria looks forward to having the privilege to help people from diverse backgrounds one day as a physical therapist. Upon graduating from UMass Amherst, Maria will be attending the University of New England in Portland, Maine, to study Physical Therapy. In her free time, Maria has been the treasurer of the Kinesiology Club e-Board for the past three years and enjoys getting to connect with other students in the major through this role. Maria also enjoys reading, writing, and working out with friends in her free time.

The Frank Rife Kinesiology Scholarship has given me the opportunity to gain incredible real-world experience as I continue to pursue a career in physical therapy upon graduation. By receiving this scholarship, I was able to participate in a two-week long physical therapy shadowing program with the Toucan Abroad organization in Cartago, Costa Rica. My experience in Costa Rica allowed me the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge I have learned thus far and experience my field of interest from a diverse cultural perspective without the associated costs being a limiting factor. Alongside the educational value of this experience, I was able to strengthen my communication skills and become a more open-minded and empathetic individual. My experience shadowing licensed physical therapists in Costa Rica will allow me to become both a better health care professional and a more well-rounded and culturally aware individual. I am incredibly grateful and honored to be a recipient of the Frank Rife Kinesiology Scholarship and for the life-changing experience I had the opportunity to be a part of. I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I have gained through this internship as I prepare for physical therapy school in the fall at the University of New England! 

John R. Schroeder Scholarship Fund

Donovan Keegan (BS, Kinesiology)

Donovan Keegan is a student majoring in kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

I would like to express my utmost gratitude in being a recipient of this year's John R. Schroeder Scholarship. This scholarship will provide myself and my family much financial relief, alleviating us from many of the stresses that come along with life and for that I will be forever thankful. This scholarship will allow me to continue my studies here at UMass and embody the ideals and criteria that allowed me to be selected for this scholarship. This scholarship is one further step in being able to achieve my dream of going to grad school to become a licensed physical therapist and for that I would like to say my final thank you.

Patty Freedson Undergraduate Health and Wellness Scholarship

John O'Neill

John O’Neill (BS, Kinesiology)

John O’Neill grew up in Tewksbury, MA, and is a junior Kinesiology major also pursuing a minor in business at UMass Amherst. His favorite hobby/activity is staying active, so sports such as skiing, golf, basketball, and even school intramurals are a main part of his lifestyle. He loves working out in his free time and has short-term plans of getting an internship in the corporate fitness industry. His goals after college include entering the corporate fitness world such as opening his own gym or running a major athletic facility.

It is with great honor and sincere gratitude that I write this thank you letter as the recipient of the Patty Freedson Undergraduate Health and Wellness Scholarship. Your investment in my future is deeply appreciated as it will further allow me to pursue my goals in the corporate health and wellness industry.

Being as passionate as I am about the field of kinesiology, the impact of this scholarship on my future cannot be understated. The financial support provided by this scholarship will allow me to continue to pursue my academic goals without the stress or burden that may have come along with it. I will be able to focus on my studies and be even more equipped to enter the world of corporate health and wellness. 

Even further, it feels great to be recognized by the scholarship committee for my hard work. The feeling of validation from the scholarship committee believing in my potential will fuel me to work even harder and further strive for excellence in my studies.

Once again, thank you for this amazing opportunity. I truly am honored to be the recipient of the Patty Freedson Undergraduate Health and Wellness Scholarship, and I will never forget the opportunity that the scholarship committee has given me.

Genesis Torres

Genesis Torres (BS, Kinesiology)

Genesis is a first-generation student pursuing a degree in kinesiology at UMass. Some extracurriculars she is involved in on campus include Latinos Unidos, Kinesiology Club, and as an undergraduate teaching assistant. After obtaining her kinesiology degree, she hopes to attend PT school where she can use rehabilitation techniques to help individuals improve their quality of life and achieve personal health and wellness.

I am honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Patty Freedson Undergraduate Health and Wellness Scholarship. I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your generosity and support. 

I am majoring in kinesiology and my future hopes are to pursue a doctorate in Physical Therapy. With that being said, this scholarship will allow me to better focus on my current and future education goals, as it will alleviate some of the financial stress involved with school. This past summer I had the opportunity to explore some potential career paths by shadowing at a physical therapy clinic. During my time there, I fell in love with the practice. This scholarship will allow me to continue pursuing my education by assisting with some of the costs and relieving financial burden. 

I am beyond grateful for your contribution to my education that will make my goals more achievable.

Thank you for your support and consideration.

Priscilla M. Clarkson Graduate Scholarship in Kinesiology

Erica Casto

Erica Casto (PhD, Kinesiology)

Erica Casto is a biomechanics doctoral candidate in the kinesiology department at UMass Amherst. Erica’s research focuses on investigating how quadriceps muscle function may contribute to altered walking patterns and coordination that may contribute to mobility impairment and joint pathology with age.

My doctoral work focuses on understanding how declines in quadriceps muscle strength often occurring with age may contribute to changes in walking biomechanics with age. A better understanding of the role quadriceps muscles plays in altering movement patterns and coordination of muscle activity can help provide a framework for further work targeting prevention and rehabilitation for age-related gait impairment and joint pathology. 

Through your generous donations, The Priscilla M Clarkson Graduate Scholarship in Kinesiology will be pivotal towards successful completion of my dissertation project. The funding will allow me to purchase necessary materials for motion capture and electromyography data collection. Further, this study requires a 3-hour lab visit that can interfere with work hours and requires strenuous lower extremity exercise; therefore, these funds will help diversify my participant population and ease barriers for participant recruitment by providing means to compensate for time and effort in the study. 

Skylar Holmes

Skylar Holmes (PhD, Kinesiology)

Skylar Holmes is a biomechanist and doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Skylar has been involved in movement biomechanics research since her senior year as an undergraduate student. Her overarching research interests are to understand the underlying mechanisms in the development of knee osteoarthritis and use evidence-based approaches to develop biomechanically driven interventions that improve mobility. Her short-term career goal is to identify factors related to fatigue at both the whole body and muscle levels that will be amenable to rehabilitation so that mobility can be improved in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

My plans are to teach and conduct research at a university after I receive my doctorate. I hope to teach biomechanics and anatomy at the collegiate level. I want to become an active contributor in the research community and take what I have learned from my undergraduate and graduate experiences to help promote student engagement in the research community at any institution I work at in the future.

The Clarkson award will support the rigor of my dissertation through its support for efficient recruitment of the defined population and funds to complete the costly data collection procedures. 

Thank you for supporting my dissertation research and my development as a researcher. Finishing this project would not be possible without your support.

Brent Momb (PhD, Kinesiology)

Brent Momb is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Kinesiology. After graduation, he plans to continue to pursue research with a post-doctoral fellowship related to skeletal muscle function in chronic disease, moving current work in animals to humans. 

This award will help tremendously in funding research related to achieving a Ph.D. in Kinesiology, working to understand the mechanisms of skeletal muscle fatigue at physiological temperatures. The muscle biology lab focuses on understanding single muscle fiber structure and function, and this funding will allow me to pursue research that has not been conducted in human skeletal muscle previously. My interest in this area came about through attempting to understand why people who have chronic diseases or in aging populations, the reason for greater skeletal muscle fatigue compared to health, age- and activity-matched individuals. 

The Rouzier Family Pre-Health Professional Scholarship

Erica Cene

Erica Cene (BS, Kinesiology)

Erica Cene is a junior majoring in kinesiology on the pre-med track. She is originally from Boston, Massachusetts. Outside of school she loves to play volleyball, travel, try new foods, and be active. She is also a Resident Assistant on campus and currently works at the Recreation Center as Fitness Floor Assistant. 

First and foremost, I would like to say that it is an honor to be the recipient for the Rouzier Family Pre-Health Professional Scholarship. Your generosity is why I am able to continue my education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In the future, I am planning on pursuing a graduate degree and later my medical degree. My goal is to become a Sports Medicine physician and possibly specializing in Pediatrics. 

I want to thank you again for your kind donation. This scholarship will definitely help alleviate some of the financial burden with having to pay for school and allow me to focus on my academics.

Timothy Moynahan Award

Loukas Pedone

Loukas Pedone (BS, Kinesiology)

Loukas Pedone is a senior majoring in kinesiology.

Thank you so very much for this award. I am truly honored and could not have achieved this without the outstanding Kinesiology department faculty. Timothy’s story is inspirational and I am so honored to be recognized for the qualities that Timothy displayed. Receiving this award has inspired me to persevere beyond my perceived limitations both academically and in life. I just want to thank you so much for providing me with this recognition and inspiration, and for allowing me to be a part of Timothy’s legacy.