In Memory of Nancy Holczer

If Nancy touched your life, please consider:

Making a donation to the Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in her memory for deserving students who would not otherwise have the financial means to attend college. Please make checks out to the City of Newton and send them to The Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street, Newton, MA 02460. Please be sure to note The Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memo section of the check.
Donate your blood or platelets to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Visit their website for information, locations, or to make an appointment for your donation.

On September 8, 2018, we had a Celebration of Nancy's Life. The event included speeches from some of Nancy's friends and family, as well as slideshows of pictures that honor and celebrate various aspects of Nancy's wonderful life. You can watch the recording of that special event below.

Please note that due to some copyright concerns on YouTube, some songs have been muted from the slideshow.

Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund 2023 Recipients

Newton North:This student’s family came to the US from Guatemala, and he will be the first member of his family to go to college. He says he feels extra motivated in all he does because he wants to make his parents’ sacrifices worth it. Even though his family faces financial hardships, this student still finds time to regularly volunteer at the Newton Food Pantry and Cradles to Crayons. This hardworking, calm, kind, empathetic and super likeable student was nominated for and accepted into the Transitioning Together (T2) mentoring program for first generation Newton North college-bound students. As you may recall, Nancy was a devoted T2 volunteer mentor until the day she passed. This scholarship recipient will be attending UMass Amherst as an Engineering major.
Newton South:Raised in a single-parent household, this student describes her mother as her best friend, the number one supporter in her life, and the person that motivates her to be the best version of herself (sounds like the kind of mom Nancy was!). Despite the adversity that this student has faced, that foundational love and motherly support has helped this student excel in school on top of volunteering through Best Buddies and working a part-time job. Those that know this student well describe her as smart, quick to be helpful, reliable, adaptable, a positive person that looks on the bright side, and above all kind. This scholarship recipient will be heading to Suffolk University with a major in Political Science.

Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund 2022 Recipients

Newton North:This student is described as a team player, full of grit, determination, and a natural leader that is admired by his peers. He is a stellar student that has a natural compassionate instinct to find those peers that may be struggling or feel isolated and to help them find “their place.” His brother has a severe medical condition. That important relationship has guided this student on his life’s path to major in Biochemistry with a focus on research, data collection and analysis to help solve life’s mysteries and find cures and solutions to help others. His robust volunteer experiences and commitment to helping others made him a worthy recipient of the Newton North Seal of Civic Action. A cross-country, track and swim team member, this student will be a first generation US college student when he attends George Washington University.
Newton South:As the oldest English speaker in her household, this student can achieve anything she sets her mind to: juggling AP courses, two varsity sports (one of which she didn’t even play until freshman year and became a starter on varsity by her senior year), founding a club, holding a part-time job, volunteering throughout high school, teaching herself to sew, and make her own clothes (including her homecoming dress)! This student is mature beyond her years, and cherishes her family’s authenticity and integrity as she feels it has made her life special. Many of her family’s adult tasks fall on her shoulders. She dives headfirst into her academics as she hopes that her education will support her family. This student’s intelligence and creativity will thrive at Boston College where she plans to major in engineering/STEM to one day be an engineer/designer.

Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund 2021 Recipients

Newton North: Having only immigrated to the United States a few years ago, this student went from an English language learner to an AP/Honors superstar! After experiencing direct, overt, anti-Asian racism in the wake of the pandemic, this student’s focus, resilience, vigor, tenacity, and positivity helped her rise above the hate and forge ahead. As a bilingual marathon runner, Science Olympiad, and hospital volunteer, those that know her describe her as a fantastic student and even better person – fiercely determined but always kind and compassionate. Chemistry is the course that had the most impact on her during her high school career, and she plans to major in Chemical Engineering while attending UMass Amherst.
Newton South: A thirst and love for learning epitomizes this student that is described by those who know her as enthusiastic, focused, positive, open-minded, creative, courageous, a problem solver, and team player. Having grown up in China, it is remarkable what this student has accomplished since moving to the United States in eighth grade. A seasoned flutist and composer, her strong work ethic is demonstrated by her ability to still find time for endless other activities such as volleyball, speech & debate, robotics, volunteer work at the Newton Food Pantry, and founding a student-run nonprofit organization to share and inspire a passion for learning. Despite the challenges she has faced, she is a resilient, beautiful human inside and out, with the highest of ethics, and someone that truly cares about the world and everyone she meets. She will be attending Northeastern University in the fall.

Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund 2020 Recipients

Newton North: A first generation college-bound student raised by a single parent, this student was nominated by faculty members to be a Legacy Scholar (a program for high achieving Black and Latinx students based on superior academic achievement and leadership potential) during her sophomore year and remained a member throughout high school. Her school counselor described her as “one of the most driven, dedicated and caring students that she knows.” Despite a rigorous course load and participating in a program for high-achieving students to earn college credits, she still found time to hold a job and serve as the President of the Keystone Club, a high school leadership program within the Boys and Girls Club. While persevering through her own serious illness, she has pursued her passion for nursing through an internship at a hospice during the summer before her junior year and by participating in a service trip to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Those who know her share that she is resilient, a leader that motivates and empowers others, an amazing role model for young kids, and someone that exceeds expectations with every task she takes on. She was also nominated for and accepted into the Transitioning Together (T2) mentoring program for first generation Newton North college-bound students. Notably, Nancy was a devoted T2 volunteer mentor until the day she passed. This scholarship recipient will be attending Simmons University and plans to major in nursing.
Newton South: Those that know this student describe her as compassionate, self-aware, a thoughtful quiet leader who is focused on the greater good, and someone who has made a significant difference in her immediate community. Her academic achievements have been exceptional – she has completed 7 AP courses during high school and has exceled on all corresponding AP tests. Since freshman year, she has been a member of the math and science teams, and of the Hospital Education and Awareness Research Team (HEART) Club in which students interested in the medical field gain experience in researching diseases, raising money for nonprofit research, visiting hospitals, hearing from medical professionals, and practicing/learning medical procedures. Beyond her academic success, perhaps most telling is the fact that she has become a support system for a family in her neighborhood, which has involved caring for and tutoring an autistic child and helping the family when they need it most. She will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute and plans to major in biomedical engineering.

Nancy Shyavitz Holczer Memorial Scholarship Fund 2019 Recipients

Newton North: A two-time State champion and junior- and senior-year captain of the Newton North High School Mock Trial Team, those who know this student describe her as having an endless capacity for empathy, as always trying to grow and improve, as addicted to school and education, as committed to community service, and as the friendliest and most positive person in the classroom. Having started in the Newton Public Schools as an English Language Learner (ELL), her accomplishments demonstrate what a true wonder she is. This first generation college-bound student will be attending Tufts University and plans to major in Mathematics.
Newton South: A first generation college-bound student raised by a single parent who holds two full-time jobs, this student was nominated by faculty members to be a Legacy Scholar (a program for high achieving Black and Latino students based on superior academic achievement and leadership potential) during her sophomore year. Those who know her share that she is compassionate and steadfast in her commitment to the community. Not only did she serve as a Big Sister in the One-to-One program, but volunteered for Children Services of Roxbury and held an ongoing position at a suicide prevention hotline. And on top of all that, she is a resident of Boston and a student in the METCO program so her travel time to and from school is significant. She has also held a part-time job since the 9th grade. She will be attending Spelman College with the hope of going on to medical school.