NORTH READING — The Martin’s Pond Community Pride Scholarships for 2024 were awarded to Liam Bird and Roman Ton. This scholarship is neighborhood funded, neighbor by neighbor, to support the great young adults that grow up around the pond.
“Scholarships are based on essay submissions and judged based on honesty, integrity, thoughtfulness, respect for the environment, and neighborhood pride,” commented Janet Nicosia, one of the neighborhood members involved in the selection process.
“The community is so very proud of how the nature and special experiences of living in the Martin’s Pond neighborhood continue to inspire our youth. Liam about the meaning of the return of Bald Eagles to the Pond, and Roman shared his memories of skating on the pond,” she said.
LIAM BIRD
Martin’s Pond Community Pride
Scholarship Essay
By Liam Bird
The recent sightings of bald eagles at Martin’s Pond makes me excited but also solemn at the same time. On one hand, the bald eagles returning from their winter migration means that spring has started and summer is rapidly approaching. This coupled with the improving weather and longer days has me shaking off the “winter dust” so to speak. But on the other hand, I realize that as I go off to college, this is the last time I will be able to experience these things at Martin’s Pond, my home. I am very conflicted in that I am very ready to finish high school but not quite ready to go off to college. To me, seeing the bald eagles at Martin’s Pond reminds me of the fact that for better or worse, this chapter of my life, one where I am a resident of Martin’s Pond, is coming to an end.
For the neighborhood, the presence of these iconic birds is a source of pride and wonder. Martin’s Pond has always been a sanctuary for both residents and wildlife alike, and the eagles’ return reaffirms the importance of preserving our natural habitats. Their majestic flights serve as a powerful symbol of freedom, strength, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It is a testament to the resilience of nature and a reminder that we must cherish and protect the environments that sustain us.
In the context of nature as a whole, the resurgence of bald eagles at Martin’s Pond carries significant ecological implications. As apex predators, bald eagles play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of their ecosystems. Their presence helps regulate populations of prey species, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the area. Additionally, the eagles’ return serves as an indicator of improving environmental conditions, signaling the success of conservation efforts aimed at protecting these magnificent creatures.
However, the sight of the bald eagles also serves as a stark reminder of the impermanent nature of life and the inevitability of change. Just as the eagles migrate annually, so too will I soon embark on a new journey as I leave for college. Though, bald eagles are habitual creatures, just like humans. They come back to the same nest every year after they return from their annual migration during the winter, doubly so if they have successfully raised young from that nest. Over the course of years bald eagles build, clean, and repair their nests. In a way, this mirrors my future path as I leave my nest in search of warmer skies, but just like the bald eagles I will always return to the nest eventually.
In conclusion, the recent sightings of bald eagles at Martin’s Pond hold deep significance for me, the neighborhood, and nature as a whole. They symbolize the cyclical nature of life, the importance of environmental stewardship, and the bittersweet passage of time. As I prepare to leave for college, I take solace in knowing that the spirit of Martin’s Pond will always remain with me, embodied in the graceful wings of the bald eagles that continue to inspire awe and wonder in all who are fortunate enough to witness their majestic flights.
Liam’s and Roman’s essays are printed below in their entirety.
ROMAN TON
Martin’s Pond Community Pride
Scholarship Essay
by Roman Ton
On a cold winter night, I woke up to a frozen Martin’s Pond and was delighted to see people from different backgrounds all skating. I saw people just walking on the ice and people skating while playing hockey. Once you walked onto the ice, it felt so surreal. It was like something never before because you are never just standing out in the middle of a pond. You could see thick chunks of ice below you while you glided across the ice. This is one memory I will carry with me for the rest of my life because it was just so impactful in seeing the community that the seasons can bring upon people.
I used to skate when I was younger but have lost the talent since I haven’t in years. These times where the pond would freeze over and I could bring my skates is where I enjoyed and appreciated the place where I live. There aren’t many other kids my age in this neighborhood but this is one time where I could truly take advantage of my house and the pond. I appreciate every moment I had on the ice because I knew that it would not be a while until it would melt. For the years that I’ve lived here, it has been about a week time frame where the ice freezes and you can safely walk on it. I wanted to do this as much as possible.
My freshman year was a hybrid year which means part of the week was in person and part was at home. I remember that if we were at home for the week we had to take a walk for the whole class during gym and send a screenshot as proof. I would take a walk around Burroughs Road and other connecting roads which is something I have never done before then. I saw so many other parts of this street and community that I have never before and it was really cool to see all the different views of Martin’s Pond.
Being in an environment where nature and the beauty of water and trees are all around you makes you appreciate what you have. Living on Burroughs Road taught me that sometimes I need to just take a walk outside and look at the scenery. This is another memory I will never forget because it was one caused by COVID which changed all of us.
All in all, it is my community and the place where I live that has shaped me to be the person I am today. I would not have learned all the things I know now about Martin’s Pond and the houses that surround it. Being here brought back memories of skating as a child and helped me get back into it. Although I won’t be in town much next year, I hope to continue learning how to skate better. It’s Martin’s Pond that sparked my interest in skating again and I hope to carry these memories with me forever.
