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The CTPA Arborist Scholarship

Information on how to apply
Application Deadline is November 30, 2007

Through a gift scholarship of $1,000 each, CTPA has been pleased to be able to assist the following students in their efforts to make a difference in tree care.  

The Winners of the 2007 CTPA Arborist Scholarship

Ryan Gilmore Roberts 

Ryan, who is from Avon, CT, is currently a student at the Stockbridge School at the University of Massachusetts, studying arboriculture.  He comes to working outdoors and with trees naturally, as his father owned Roberts Landscaping in Newington.  Ryan recalls working with his dad in this business “as far back as he can remember”. 

Sadly, Ryan’s father recently passed away.  However, Ryan has continued to apply himself, further developing his skills and professionalism through his work at Stockbridge and also at Winding Trails Recreation Park in Farmington, where he has taken on responsibilities for maintaining and removing trees in that extensive and heavily used park. 

Ryan has received strong support from his professors at the Stockbridge School and from his supervisor at Winding Trails.  His grades are good, and the recommendations he has received are reflective of his character and qualifications.  Ryan looks forward to becoming licensed in Connecticut and preparing himself for the day he can “follow in his father’s footsteps” and own his own tree care business. 

Daniel Lee Watkins

Dan is a freshman at the Stockbridge School at the University of Massachusetts, majoring in arboriculture and urban forestry.  He is from Hartland, where he has been exposed to tree care from an early age, as his father owns and runs The ArborWorks in that town.  Eventually, Dan worked full-time for his dad during summers growing up. 

Dan has been distinguishing himself at Stockbridge, where he is a solid B student.  His School Counselor at Granby High School describes Dan as a “diligent and focused young man” who is “more attentive to his future career than any other senior” with whom she has worked.  At Stockbridge, this shows, not just in his strong academic work but also in his holding 3 part-time jobs to allow him to continue his work at school. 

Following college, Dan plans to return to Connecticut to practice arboriculture as a career.  In his statement, he writes, “Being raised in an arborist’s family has given me a passion for trees that will last for the rest of my life”.  He hopes some day to make the type of valuable contribution to tree care that he learned about growing up and that he is coming to better understand at Stockbridge. 

The Winner of the 2005 CTPA Arborist Scholarship

Douglas T. Zitnay  

Doug, from Easton , CT , is a senior in the Urban Forestry program at the University of Massachusetts .  He is currently working on a Bachelor’s Degree, after having earned an Associate’s of Science Degree with honors, in turf grass management.  

Doug’s experience working with trees goes back a long time.  As a ten year old, he assisted his great-uncle on his Christmas tree farm.  One of his early lessons in tree care came when he and his uncle had to cut down and burn all of the Frazier fir in the Christmas tree farm, due to a disease outbreak.  Trees also played a role in his Eagle Scout honors, as part of his service towards that award involved removing bittersweet from cedar trees in a town park.  

While Doug feels a strong pull towards the turf side of the green industry – his first job was on the greens staff at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield , and his ultimate goal is to become a golf course superintendent – he is well aware of the role of trees and tree care in a well-managed landscape.  His experiences with arboriculture has made him a strong advocate for the importance of trees, including on golf courses, as well as impressing on him the need for individual plant health care and for integrated pest management.  

Doug’s professors and former employers have all recommended him highly.  CTPA is proud to present Doug Zitnay with its 2005 Arborist Scholarship.

The Winner of the 2004 CTPA Arborist Scholarship

Andrew E. Marchion

Andrew, who is a first-year student at the Stockbridge School at the University of Massachusetts , comes naturally to tree care.  His father, Ed Marchion, is a principal in Marchion & Faucher, a tree care company based in Newington .  In his application essay, Andrew wrote very movingly of his early experiences “at the shop” as he swept the shop floor, cleaned out the truck cabs and washed the vehicles.

Clearly, tree care has become a major part of Andrew’s life and aspirations.  As he has continued to work in tree care with his Dad’s company, he has graduated to running saws, chippers and stump grinders, he has earned his CDL and he has worked with the crews as a groundman.  Based on these experiences, Andrew chose to begin study at the Stockbridge School this past fall.  At Stockbridge, he has impressed Dr. Dennis Ryan, Professor of Arboriculture, who gave Andrew’s application his unreserved support.

Andrew has achieved accomplishments in other aspects of his life as well.  He is a black belt in karate, earned high honors at Conard High School and was also a four-year member of both the lacrosse and the football team at Conard. 

Andrew is also busy planning his future.  When he graduates from the Stockbridge School , he plans to continue to continue in tree care in Connecticut .  His initial plans are to help his father in his business and to further the message of proper tree care.

The CTPA is pleased to award the 2004 Arborist Scholarship to Andrew Marchion, and we wish him great success as he pursues his career goals in arboriculture.

The Winners of the 2003 CTPA Arborist Scholarship 

 Jeffrey R. Perotti

 Jeff, who is repeating as a CTPA Arborist Scholarship winner, is from Sharon, CT.  Jeff is now a senior at the University of Massachusetts, who expects to graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in Urban Forestry. 

 Jeff’s résumé in tree care includes working for the Monroe Tree Company in Sharon, CT, and the Haupt Tree Care Company in Sheffield, MA.  He credits Scott Monroe with helping him learn to become a climber, and Jeff expresses appreciation to both companies for assisting him as he has honed his skills as a developing tree care professional.   

 Jeff continues to do interesting things as he prepares himself for his career within the tree care field.  He has already received his Connecticut Arborist License and has been certified in Massachusetts.  This past summer, he worked as a tree worker in Anchorage, Alaska, exploring what his professional skills allow him to do, in terms of travel and opportunities for experience.  Currently, he subcontracts tree work in and around his hometown of Sharon, learning yet more about the various personalities and people-skills that are a part of the profession. 

 Jeff’s ultimate goals remain the same, however – to return home to Litchfield County, to continue learning and working everyday, and, someday, to own his own private tree care company.  CTPA is very pleased to be able to assist Jeff as he strives towards his goals.

 Zachary McArthur

 Zach, from Lakeville, CT, is also a student at the University of Massachusetts.  He is majoring in Arboriculture.  Zach’s background, references and scholarship application all tell the same story – that of an independent, goal-oriented young man who is focused on arboriculture and, especially, on the field aspects of tree work, and is working hard to move himself forward in this field. 

 Zach’s drive to succeed in the green industry goes back to the seventh grade, when he started a lawn service with a friend.  His work with the Monroe Tree Company in Sharon was the key to solidifying his  interest in arboriculture, which in turn led him to attend the Stockbridge School at UMass.  Zach’s drive has paid off in other ways, as well.  He has represented UMass twice at the Student Society of Arboriculture championships, culminating in his winning the working climb competition in November of 2002. 

 It is not only trees and tree care that motivates Zach, however.  He is also a volunteer fireman in his hometown of Lakeville, a hockey referee and an assistant coach for the local peewee team.  As for what he wants to bring to his profession, Zach cites a contribution to safety as first among his goals, followed closely by a concern for saving trees.  His work with children and with other professionals also leads Zach to cite the desire to pass on knowledge as one of his goals.

 CTPA is also very pleased to be able to assist Zach as he develops as a professional. 

CTPA Announces the First Winner of its Arborist Scholarship

During its recent Annual Meeting, the Connecticut Tree Protective Association announced Ms. Kristeena DiPasquale as the first winner of the soon-to-be-annual CTPA Arborist Scholarship.  The winner of this first scholarship is a resident of Berlin, CT and a third-year student at the University of Massachusetts’s Stockbridge School.   

Kristeena DiPasquale is congratulated by CTPA President Mark Sullivan at the Association's recent Annual Meeting.

 Kristeena was already familiar to many members of the tree care community in Connecticut.  Over the past summers she has worked out of the Guilford office of Bartlett Tree Experts and the Norwalk office of Alpine, The Care of Trees.  Among her many accomplishments, she placed 2^nd overall in the 2000 TCI Student Competition (1^st in the “Workers Climb” and 1^st in “Safety Equipment”), and she has distinguished herself academically while a student at UMass.  Her volunteer activities are numerous, and include being a volunteer firefighter, tutor and Special Olympics assistant. 

 As the winner of the scholarship, Kristeena received a check for $1,000 from the Oscar P. Stone Research Trust Fund.  The members of CTPA wish Kristeena great success, as she will certainly have much to add to our profession.  CTPA is glad to be able to provide this support for her studies.

(the following section describes the CTPA Scholarship, and includes a link to last year's application form)

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