Two Farmingdale State College students awarded the 2025 Nelson Sterner/Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society (BCAHS) Scholarship
by Doreen Monteleone
This year, four outstanding Farmingdale students were recognized in the Nelson
Sterner/BCAHS Scholarship competition. Victoria Donahue and Marlaina Molinari were awarded $1,000 each, and as runners-up, Kelly Parsley and Elizabeth Scianno were awarded $500 each. All four were also given complimentary BCAHS memberships through 2026.
Victoria Donahue is working towards a Bachelor of Technology in Horticulture
Technology Management and would like to work in greenhouse or nursery production. She interned in the Farmingdale teaching gardens and works in its greenhouse. Her goal is to help grow healthy, sustainable plants while contributing to environmentally responsible practices. Long-term, she hopes to take on a leadership role to mentor others and help improve operations within the industry.
Marlaina Molinari is planning on a Bachelor in Horticulture Technology Management and plans on working toward an ISA Arborist Certification, followed by the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. She wants to work in public horticulture because bringing education and awareness of the importance of these spaces to the public is an invaluable service. Marlaina has interned and worked at BCA.
Kelly Parsley is anticipating a degree in Horticultural Management and Architectural Engineering. Her goal is to work in the field of biophilic design, integrating nature into the built environment by harmonizing horticultural science with architectural and engineering principles. She aspires to establish her own business dedicated to creating, engineering, and nurturing biophilic structures and spaces.
Elizabeth Scianno is expecting an Associates in Horticulture with certificate in
Ornamental Studies. While a student, she is also Grounds Supervisor for Girls in the Garden, a private garden design and maintenance company serving the Bellport Village and Hamptons area. She has a strong passion for garden design, hand pruning, and sustainable landscaping.
Former BCA Executive Director & Farmingdale professor Nelson Sterner judged the competition. He commented, “I’m pleased to be able to award these four outstanding students and am looking forward to seeing the future accomplishments of this impressive group.”
NELSON STERNER/BCAHS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Since 1974, Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society (BCAHS) has been promoting sound gardening practices with a deep appreciation of environmental preservation. It does this by supporting educational programs and students. BCAHS is pleased to offer $1,000 scholarship(s) to horticulture students at Farmingdale State College who intend to pursue a career in that field of study. The scholarship honors Nelson Sterner, former director of Bayard Cutting Arboretum and adjunct professor at Farmingdale.
Eligible applicant must:
- Be a full-time student.
- Be returning to Farmingdale in fall of 2025.
- Intend to pursue a career in horticulture.
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Provide a letter of recommendation from a Farmingdale faculty member, horticulture professional or BCAHS member.
DIRECTIONS:
- Save the completed application in PDF format using your LAST NAME and FIRST NAME as the file name.
- You must also email a letter of recommendation in PDF format.
- Submit both files TOGETHER to bcahs2@gmail.com no later than JUNE 1, 2025.
- APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.
Awards will be announced by early September 2025. Winner(s) will be encouraged to attend the BCAHS Sept. 10, 2025 meeting where award(s) will be presented. Learn more about BCAHS at www.bcahortsociety.org. Winner will be awarded a complementary membership from Sept. - Dec. (18 months)
CLICK BELOW FOR APPLICATION
