The recipients of the 2021 John O’Neill Scholarships are (from left) Angelie Coulanges, Hiba Khouti, and Manal Khouti. Coulanges is a recent graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Hiba and Manal Khouti recently graduated from Somerville High School

By Nathan Lamb

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) has awarded John O’Neill Scholarships to support the higher education of three local students this fall.

The following Cambridge and Somerville students will receive John O’Neill Scholarships:

Angelie Coulanges A graduate of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Angelie is pursuing a career in health care as a registered nurse. A certified Nursing Assistant, she completed the Cambridge Rindge and Latin Health Assistance Program, where she participated in patient care at Sancta Maria Nursing Home and Spaulding Rehab. She is also certified in CPR and Alzheimer’s Association Dementia training. Angelie is attending U-Mass Boston this fall.

Hiba Khouti A graduate of Somerville High School, Hiba’s career goal is to become a doctor. She sought out experience in science and health care by joining the Pharmacy Tech program at Somerville High School and worked increasingly responsible positions at a local CVS store.  She was president of the Student Council and volunteered in the community through the National Honors Society and Community Service Club. Hiba is attending U-Mass Boston this fall.

Manal Khouti A graduate of Somerville High School, Manal is aiming to become a doctor or psychologist. She completed the Pharmacy Tech program at Somerville High school and now works at a local CVS, where she is responsible for organizing medications, checking insurance and ways to assist older adults with medication costs. She was secretary of the Student Council and National Honors Society, and has been involved with volunteerism, such as Thanksgiving food drives. Manal will attend U-Mass Lowell this fall.

The O’Neill Scholarship awards $2,000 for students from both Cambridge and Somerville. The Somerville scholarship was split between the Khouti sisters, who both had outstanding applications, explained SCES Board President Leslie Hergert. 

“The SCES board is always impressed by the students we interview for this award,” she said. “Angelie, Hiba, and Manal are shining examples of combining academic commitment and community service in health-related fields. With this award, we honor their past work, and support their future studies in areas we expect will contribute to the well-being of our communities’ elders.”

The O’Neill Scholarship Fund was established in 2017 to honor retiring Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services director John O’Neill and his lifelong dedication to ensuring that older people have options to stay healthy and remain in their homes.

The O’Neill scholarship supports outstanding students who plan to pursue higher education in the areas of elder services, health care, advocacy, or policy work. A central goal of the scholarship is to help meet the growing need for advocates and leaders in fields that serve older adults.

Interested seniors at Somerville High School and Cambridge Rindge and Latin School should contact their school counseling office for information on how to apply.

The O’Neill Scholarship is a donation-driven effort. To learn more about supporting the O’Neill Scholarship, visit the SCES Donations page, call 617‐628-2601 or email development@eldercare.org.