The annual Beryle Gardner Scholarship, established in 2005 for Community High School of Vermont (CHSVT) students, is sponsored by the Vermont Retired Educators Association (see also https://www.vtretiredteachers.org/beryle-gardner-scholarship ). Currently, up to four CHSVT students are eligible to receive a $500 Beryle Gardner Scholarship each year.
Beryle Gardner (1921-2003) was a founding member of the CHSVT advisory board in 1987. She grew up in central Vermont and earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in administration from the University of Vermont. She served as an educator for 43 years in Vermont schools: teaching first grade in Newport schools, serving as principal in Colchester, and coordinating special education services for the Chittenden Central School District until her retirement in 1986.
Beryle believed individuals have the right to a basic education and the opportunity to improve their future. She was a pioneer in Corrections Education, and she wanted to ensure CHSVT students would receive an authentic and accredited high school education.
This scholarship was established to encourage and reward students who, after becoming involved in the Vermont Department of Corrections, choose to complete the requirements for a high school diploma. Scholarship candidates are nominated by CHSVT educators each quarter as part of the CHSVT Student of the Quarter process. Four CHSVT Students of the Quarter are annually selected by the Correctional Educator Supervisor team to receive the scholarship.