The Robert G. Marks, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was instituted last May as a way to honor my son Bobby’s memory. Bobby was my first born out of four beautiful children. I was truly blessed to have Bobby for 26 years and I thank God for that every day. Bobby was a bright, athletic child who had lots of friends and excelled at every activity he pursued. The Town of Braintree’s school system and youth sports programs served him well through his early years as he learned not only academics, but teamwork, friendship, perseverance and courage. 

 

As Bobby approached high school, he struggled with the rigid structure of the school day and the age-old question of “How is this going to help me in my life?” As he continued to lose interest in a curriculum that he couldn’t connect with, he started missing classes which led to discipline. Bobby’s Housemaster at the time was Kathleen Spencer and she was instrumental in helping Bobby find relevance at Braintree High. She was tough with him and wouldn’t let him off the hook. She treated him with respect, but demanded accountability. As she came to understand Bobby better, she realized that the Alternative School could be just the place for him…but he would have to earn his way into the program. He had to go before a group of his peers and explain why they should let him in to their learning community.

 

This program demanded things that weren’t necessarily required in the regular school program. The Alternative Program required character- building skills like honesty, integrity, respect, accountability, self-examination and the ability to admit when you were wrong and make amends. There was a system of clear rules with equally clear consequences that were enforced by the group of peers and not just the teachers.  Speaking of the teachers, I can’t say enough about the great role models Bobby found in his alternative teachers. Mr. Bochman, Mr. Driscoll, Mr. Crook and Ms. Chim, loved Bobby and he knew it. They taught him the real-world lessons that he needed. Bobby excelled in the program and really enjoyed the responsibility and accountability that helped him grow into the fantastic person that he became. Bobby finished his senior year and graduated from the mainstream program.

 

After graduation, Bobby worked as a carpenter and eventually joined the Carpenter’s Union in Boston. He loved to be outdoors and work with his hands. Although Bobby never attended college, he encouraged many others to, including his two sisters and his brother. When his sister Kellie got accepted to Hofstra University three years later, it was Bobby who convinced us to let her go to New York, even though she had been offered a full scholarship to Bridgewater State College. She had made the cheerleading team and he believed in her and that she could do this. He was right as Kellie graduated with a 4.0 in her major of Communications, and both Valerie and Brendan are currently college students.

 

So to honor Bobby’s memory, and to pay tribute to the Alternative School and Braintree High, our family is proud to present a Robert G. Marks Jr. Memorial Scholarship to a graduating senior whos ability to attend college was made possible by the BHS Alternative School.

 

Bobby also played Freshman Soccer at Braintree High under the guidance of his Godfather and Uncle, Fred Marks. To honor the contribution that Fred made to Bobby and so many other kids’ lives by his tireless devotion to the sport of soccer, and as a special thanks to the outpouring of support from his “Soccer family” and their contributions to the Scholarship Fund, we would also like to present a scholarship to a member of the BHS Varsity Girls Soccer team each year.

 

Thank you and God bless,

Donna Marks