Local Garden Center Awards Scholarships to Three North Rockland High School Seniors

Down to Earth Living in Pomona has announced the recipients of its annual scholarship awards for graduating seniors from North Rockland High School. This year’s scholarship recipients are Rene Terron, Emma Curry, and Kerry Finnerty, each recognized for their academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, community service, and standout essays centered around the theme of “Liberty.”

According to Down to Earth Living, this year marked the largest number of scholarship applications the company has received in the program’s history, making the selection process especially competitive.

“With so many exceptional applicants this year, narrowing down the recipients was incredibly difficult,” said Stuart Leventhal, owner of Down to Earth Living. “The students who were selected distinguished themselves not only through their academic accomplishments and community involvement, but through essays that demonstrated maturity, insight, and a deep understanding of the meaning of liberty in today’s world.”

Rene Terron plans to study Medical Laboratory Science in college and participated in the Ten Minute Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, and North Rockland Youth Symphony while also volunteering with the North Rockland Music Department summer music program, Prosono, and United Women of Rockland. Rene’s essay reflected on liberty as both opportunity and responsibility, writing, “To me, liberty means more than independence. It means possibility. It’s the chance to dream, to take action, and to create change.”

Emma Curry, who intends to major in Neuroscience, was heavily involved in student leadership and service activities, including the American Sign Language Club, Best Buddies, Student Ambassadors, and the Academy of Health and Science. She also volunteered with organizations including SAEDA, United Women of Rockland, and NAMI. In her essay, Emma described liberty as “being free [to] fulfill your aspirations without unnecessary limitations,” while emphasizing the importance of balancing personal freedom with responsibility to others.

Kerry Finnerty plans to pursue Civil Engineering and was active in numerous clubs and service initiatives throughout high school, including Math League, Science Olympiad, Student Government, and Habitat for Humanity. Kerry also volunteered with the EMS program at North Rockland High School. In the scholarship essay, Kerry wrote, “Liberty is not just a right — it is a responsibility and a gift that defines who we are,” highlighting both gratitude and civic responsibility.

Down to Earth Living staff evaluate scholarship applicants using several criteria, including academic performance, extracurricular involvement, community service, future career goals, financial need, and the required essay component.

Down to Earth Living, now in its 56th year, is a Garden Center serving Rockland, Bergen and Orange counties and the Hudson Valley, offering 12.5 acres filled with perennials, flowers, shrubs, and trees, with new plants arriving weekly. The 10,000-square-foot showroom features a selection of contemporary, classic, traditional, and transitional teak, aluminum, and all-weather dining and deep-seated furniture. Located at 1040 Route 45 in Pomona, N.Y., For more information, call 845-354-8500 or visit www.dteliving.com.

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