Fund The Ryan Walsh Martel Scholarship in Conway

The Friends of the Field Memorial Library in Conway, MA is excited to announce The Ryan Scholarship. The scholarship is, in part, a response to Conway being named the “the wettest place in America for the month of July.1” It is named after hometown young man, Ryan Walsh Martel, who died from brain cancer in 2022. The scholarship, reflecting Ryan’s passion about energy policy and reducing the impact of climate change for the sake of future generations, will be awarded to the Conway high school graduating senior who presents the best plan, through education or work, that reflects Ryan’s passion.

The scholarship honors Ryan Walsh Martel, who grew up in Conway, attended Conway Grammar School, Frontier Region for middle-school, Deerfield Academy, Bowdoin College and Georgetown University. He had an active career in environmental regulatory policy on state, national and international levels until his death from brain cancer in 20222. Mary Walsh Martel, Ryan’s mother, commented, “The library was always a center of educational life for Ryan and his friends growing up. Having the Friends of the Field Memorial Library sponsor this scholarship helps us all remember the important role libraries play in our small towns.”

While Conway (population around 1,700) continues to recover from well over $4 million of damage to farms, roads, homes, etc., the Friends wanted to do something positive and proactive about climate change in addition to their own, annual scholarship. As well, they also wanted to support Conway’s 61st Festival of the Hills event (October 1st) that raises other scholarship funds for local youth. Linda McDaniel, one of the chairpersons of the Friends, said, “Announcing this scholarship in conjunction with our annual Festival of the Hills just makes sense. We are all trying to help a small, caring community emerge from the over 21 inches of rain damage. This scholarship honors a local young man, known to many members of the Friends and who made addressing climate change his life’s work. We want to honor him and make the future better. That’s the kind of thing this library’ does in Conway.” David Whittier, the library Director, commented, “We are excited! The library hopes to increase and spotlight our resources for helping the environment. Our recent book study, on Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, is just one example of what we can do.”

The Ryan Scholarship Committee, made up of friends and supporters who knew Ryan and admired his work, has arranged for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ashfield to be the tax-exempt fiscal agent for this effort.