The Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the VFW Sgt. Santaora / SSgt. Bonacasa Memorial Post 400, proudly awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduating seniors from Sachem High School East through the annual Time to Make a Difference Scholarship.
Several years ago, the Chamber renamed the scholarship in honor of Nick Vavas, a beloved Sachem educator and Farmingville resident who embodied the spirit of community service. Nick was always willing to lend a hand, participate in local events, and support those around him. Though his life was tragically cut short at the age of 33, his dedication to Farmingville continues to inspire. One of the final things he spoke about was his pride in his hometown. The Chamber is honored to continue offering this scholarship in his memory.
To apply, students are asked to submit a 750-word essay answering the question: What can Chamber members and local businesses do to make a difference in the Farmingville community? Over the years, these thoughtful essays have sparked real change, even leading to the creation of the Chamber Internship Liaison Program. This initiative helps connect students with internship opportunities offered by several of the Chamber’s business members, helping to bridge classroom learning with real-world experience.
The Chamber awarded three scholarships, one for $1,000, and two for $500. The VFW Post 400 awarded an additional two $500 scholarships from the same group of applicants.
Congratulations to the 2026 Time to Make a Difference Scholarship Recipients
