The Fall River Prince Henry Society has awarded $22,500 in scholarships to 21 greater Fall River area students of Portuguese descent.
The scholarships were presented at an informal reception held this summer at Sagres Restaurant for the students and their families.
The ceremony featured Bristol Community College President Sedgwick L. Harris, who encouraged the students to use their academic journey as an opportunity to explore. He encouraged them to take advantage of internships, externships, and student abroad and undergraduate research opportunities.
“Your journey is unique to you,” he said, adding that the Society was investing in the students, but that they should also be responsible and give back to the community.
In addition to congratulating the scholarship recipients, Fall River Prince Henry Society President David Rocha joined Dr. Harris in recognizing parents and guardians who have contributed to the students’ success.
“Thanks to their care, love and nurturing, all the recipients have achieved the important milestone of furthering their education,” Rocha said.
Rocha also expressed hope that the students will “continue to be proud of your Portuguese heritage and someday want to give back to deserving students just like yourselves by possibly becoming a Prince Henry member.”
This year’s Fall River Prince Henry Society scholarship winners are:
-Melody Silva, who graduated from Atlantis Charter School in Fall River, will join Mya Couto (2024), Sara DeMelo (2023), and Abigail Sousa (2022), who were awarded the Paul G. Senra Memorial Scholarships. These $1,000 scholarships are renewed for the four years that a student maintains good academic standing at a college or university.
Other students received special awards of $1,000 each.
-Skyla Vieira, Diman Voke HS, received the Thomas M. Medeiros Memorial Scholarship;
– Owen Mitchell Moniz, Durfee HS, was awarded the Manuel B. Sousa Memorial Scholarship;
– Sara Botelho, Somerset-Berkley HS), the Manuel and Helen Carreiro Memorial Scholarship.
– Alannah Braga, Durfee HS, the Ernesto and Delores Pereira Silva Memorial Scholarship;
– Brook Legendre, Westport HS, the Maria Cabral Memorial Scholarship;
– Savanna Silva, Excel HS, the Jose Melo Memorial Scholarship;
– Emma Hathaway, Westport HS, the Al Domingues Memorial Scholarship;
– Brooke Tabicas, Durfee HS, the Jose Melo Memorial Scholarship;
– Madison Tabicas, Durfee HS, the Jose Melo Memorial Scholarship;
– Robert Bettencourt III, Tiverton HS, received the Manuel V. and Maria G. Serodio and John C. and Maria G. Medeiros Memorial Scholarships.
– Kailynn Ferreira, Westport HS., received the scholarship in honor of the Joaquim Family.
– Jillian Cabral, Seekonk HS, received the State Founders Award;
– Kelsi Correia, Diman Voke HS, received the State Founders Award;
– Alana Sousa, Somerset-Berkley HS, received the President’s Award;
– Kathryn Gauvin, Moses Brown School, received the Deceased Members’ Award;
– Alyssa Ponte, Case HS
– Tess Silvia, Westport HS.
Gabe Andrade and Paul Silva co-chair the Society’s scholarship committee.
To be eligible for the Prince Henry Society of Fall River scholarships, students must be must be of Portuguese descent and graduating from Argosy, Atlantis, Case, Diman, Durfee, Seekonk, Somerset-Berkley, Tiverton, or Westport high schools.
Students who attend other regional schools should contact the Prince Henry Society chapters in Taunton or New Bedford as they have their own deadlines and applications.
For Fall River area schools, applications are available at each school’s guidance department or from the Society’s website in 2026. The deadline for submissions of applications is usually early April.
For more information about the Society and its programs, visit the Society’s website at www.phsfr.org.
