The 2026 winner of the McCarthy Middle School PTO scholarship is Tiffany Vu, pictured with McCarthy principal Dr. Jeff Parks.

by Jen Oemig

CHELMSFORD – Two Chelmsford High seniors have been selected to receive $1,000 scholarships from funds established at Parker and McCarthy Middle Schools.

Both scholarship recipients were recognized during the joint Parker and McCarthy Middle School PTO meeting on Thursday, May 14.

McCarthy Scholarship

Receiving the McCarthy Middle School scholarship is Tiffany Vu, who will be attending UMass Amherst in the fall, majoring in kinesiology.

As part of her application, Vu was asked what words of wisdom and guidance she would pass along to an eighth-grade student at McCarthy on the verge of entering high school.

“As a graduating senior who has experienced the endearing rite of passage of high school, vital advice I would give to an incoming 8th grader is to invest time in your happiness,” she wrote. “In high school, it is so easy to get caught up in what other people think, what they say about you, or how they see you. But the truth is, none of that matters as much as how you see yourself. Learning to love who you are and finding what truly makes you happy is one of the most important things you can do during these four years.”

Vu also explained that taking care of one’s mental health is also incredibly important.

“There will be days when you feel overwhelmed, stressed or unsure of yourself. That is completely normal. High school is not easy,” she wrote. “Walking into a new building as a freshman, trying to figure out where you belong in the classroom, on a team, or in a group of friends can feel intimidating and confusing. You may question your worth at times, and you may feel like you have to prove yourself. I want you to know that you do not have to prove anything to anyone. Your value is already there.”

In the end, Vu said what matters most is “how you treated yourself and how you treated others.”

“Be kind, be genuine and surround yourself with people who make you feel valued,” she wrote. “Do not lose yourself trying to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be. The people who are meant to be in your life will appreciate you for who you are.”

Vu also explained that high school is an opportunity for teenagers to discover themselves and create lifelong memories.

“Take time to appreciate the little moments,” she wrote. “One day, you will look back and realize how special those moments were. These years go by faster than you think, so do not rush through them. Most importantly, remember that you matter. Do not be too hard on yourself, and do not let one bad day make you forget who you are. High school will challenge you, but it will also shape you into the best version of yourself.”

The 2026 winner of the Parker Middle School PTO scholarship is Ruqi “Rachel” Song, pictured with Parker principal Josh Blagg, left, and her parents.

Parker Scholarship

The recipient of the Parker Middle School scholarship is Ruqi “Rachel” Song, who will be studying business in college.

As part of her application, Song was asked to share how her experiences at Parker helped influence her high school years.

“I entered Parker Middle School as a new student from Shanghai, navigating both a new language and a completely different environment,” she wrote. “I relied on an iPad provided by the Parker library to translate conversations and often felt disconnected from the world around me. That transition became even more difficult during COVID. The isolation made it harder to build confidence, and for a period of time, I struggled to find my voice both academically and socially.”

Song said she was able to overcome those challenges thanks to the support she found at Parker.

“Ms. Carnevale, in particular, created a space where I felt understood even when I could not fully express myself,” she explained. “Her classroom was not just a place to learn English, but a place where I could rebuild confidence at my own pace. I also found comfort in the library, where I could sit quietly, learn, and adjust without pressure. Those small, consistent spaces of support helped me regain stability during a time that felt uncertain.”

When she entered high school, Song said she carried those experiences with her.

“I pushed myself to take on leadership roles, step outside my comfort zone, and become someone who supports others in the same way I was once supported,” she wrote.

That mindset led Song to give back through community initiatives, from leading youth programs at her church to founding STEM workshops for younger students in the Chelmsford Public School system.

“I began to understand the impact that small acts of guidance and encouragement can have on someone’s confidence and growth,” she explained. “Because of Parker, I learned how to adapt, persist, and grow through uncertainty. It was my first foundation in this country, and it shaped not only how I succeeded in high school, but who I chose to become.”