2026 Chamber Scholarship Program

The Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, together with its 600 members and their thousands of employees, is dedicated to our region's economic vitality and quality of life. The Chamber is committed to a sound economy and environment for those businesses and industries we represent and encourage our young people to pursue careers that will enhance the business, industrial, and technological resources of the area.

The Scholarship Program was established in 1986 to provide financial assistance and incentives for students interested in pursuing a course of college study. Since its inception 40 years ago, the Chamber’s scholarship program has provided over $130,000 in scholarships to deserving regional school students. This year’s program will consist of five $1,000 scholarships, made possible by the proceeds of last year's Chamber Golf Tournament.

Thank you to all applicants for the 2026 Chamber Scholarship Program..

The academic winners have now been chosen by the Chamber’s Scholarship Committee, whose members will review applicants’ qualifications in scholastic achievement, community involvement, school activities, and economic need.

The winners of the scholarship are now displayed below.

Eligibility Requirements

A high school senior graduating from a Fulton or Montgomery County high school

A student who has previously graduated from a Fulton or Montgomery County high school

AND

Attending or entering a 2-year or 4-year college or university as of September 2026

2026 Recipients

Victoria Forte

Alexandra Forte

Ayla Naselli

Bailey Pierce

Kaylee Heroth

Victoria Forte

Greater Amsterdam School District

Victoria Forte is a dedicated student at Amsterdam High School – she is active in drama, music, academics and even in the community as a part-time concessions worker for the Amsterdam Mohawks. She is currently President of her school’s National Honor Society, is President of the Amsterdam Marching Rams Majorette division, is Treasurer of the 2026 Student Government, Lead Actor and Head Costume Designer for AHS’s Drama Club and is Treasurer of the Tri-M Music Honor Society as well as a member of the Newspaper Club. Her instruments of choice are the flute and piccolo and she is so accomplished that she has provided fellow students with private flute lessons for the past eight years. She will graduate as her school’s Valedictorian.

Victoria’s excellence in academics and in her community have garnered her a number of awards including The Harvard Book Award, The University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award, HOBY Leadership Seminar participant, Rural and Small-Town Academic Achievement College Board Award and the Shannon Kane Memorial Award. She has been accepted to Marist University’s Honors Program where her course of study will be in Advertising, Communications and Marketing.

Adrianne Clark writes in her reference for Victoria, “Miss Forte’s natural leadership qualities, along with her tremendous grace, will make her an invaluable asset to any profession. I have had the pleasure of working with many other high-achieving students but rarely see an individual who is capable of balancing academics, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities so seamlessly. Her talent and creativity are other valuable qualities that set her apart from her peers. What stands out most about Miss Forte, however, is her high level of intrinsic motivation. Beyond this drive, Miss Forte conducts herself with professionalism that exceeds her years. She communicates with clarity, respect, and maturity that demands attention.” Ann Willary, an Amsterdam High School teacher and advisor for the Marching Rams, said of Victoria, “She is one of the most conscientious, diligent and mature students I have ever worked with. Her unwavering quest for excellence is incredible to witness.”

She writes in her essay, “A lot of my inspiration for majoring in Advertising is to keep creativity in my life. Having a career that pertains to both advertising and the arts is the ultimate goal for me. I do not know 100% where my life will take me, but I am working towards a career full of passion and dedication, where I can be able to share my ideas and talents in order to help companies, maybe even small businesses, showcase their passions. I want to gain the skills to share people’s ideas in a visual way if they do not know or not able to do it themselves.

We applaud your drive to help businesses, as this aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission and goals. Congratulations, Victoria – we are excited to see you helping businesses achieve success!

Alexandra Forte

Greater Amsterdam School Districtl

Alexandra Forte will graduate third in her class at Amsterdam High School, alongside her twin sister Victoria. She will attend the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry where she will work towards a degree in either Biology or Environmental Science. Colleen Kirk, a teacher at AHS, writes of this student, “She has a love and appreciation for all living things and is always thinking about how they impact their environments….She is such a unique and energetic student. Her passion for learning and science will take her far in whatever career she chooses!”

Her career at Amsterdam High School is extensive and varied. With the Amsterdam Marching Rams, she serves as a section leader, and has been the Drum Major for two years, which involves conducting and leading the band. She serves as President of the Amsterdam Drama Club, where she is a lead actress and creates the programs for the Club’s shows. She is the first tenor saxophonist for the Amsterdam Jazz Band, for which she has received awards at competitions. She serves as Student Body President, running Student Council initiatives and speaks to the Board of Education, where she also serves as an Ex-Officio Student Board member. She is Secretary of the National Honor Society and serves as Historian for the Tri-M Music Honor Society, where she works on projects to enhance music in her school and in the greater community. She has been on her school’s Principal’s list for every quarter of her high school career.

In her community, she works during the school year at a local bowling alley, where she cooks and serves food as well as creates the work schedule for co-workers. In the summer, she is a concession worker for the Amsterdam Mohawks.

In the essay she prepared for this scholarship, she writes, “No matter how many goals I have, or how difficult they may be to achieve, none of them would be even remotely possible without the support that my family has provided. I am blessed to have such deep connections with them; I have a twin sister who is not just my best friend, but also an advocate for all of the work I do, and I have parents who love and encourage the both of us while also giving everything they have to ensure we are on the best track to succeed.”

Congratulations to you, Alex. You are lucky to have such a great family and support system to help you succeed!

Ayla Naselli

Greater Johnstown School District

Ayla Naselli is the Salutatorian of the Johnstown High School Class of 2026. Ayla has a diversified body of work while at Johnstown High School, excelling in the classroom, with extracurricular activities, and in sports. Ayla will attend Ithaca College this fall, where she will pursue a degree in Music Education. She writes in her essay, “Music has played an integral part in my life, and I will forever cherish what it has taught me, which is, not only to listen to the people around me, but to be open to different cultures, embracing everyone for who they are." Jacob Labate has been Ayla’s band teacher through her experience at Johnstown High School, and writes, “Ayla and I have had one-on-one meetings this year where we discussed music education and she has the passion, drive, ability and talent to be an outstanding educator….This scholarship would help ensure we have a TALENTED music educator in the field.”

Continuing with her experience with music and the arts at JHS, she is a member of the Jazz Band and Marching Band, and outside of Johnstown is a member of the Albany ProMusica High School Choir and a member of the Hartwick Honors Band. She is Treasurer of the Johnstown High School Drama Club, and has been in the school’s musical productions and plays for the past two years. She is President of the Baronet Yearbook Club, President of the International Club, President of the Key Club and served on the Post Prom committee and on the Captain’s Council for the last two years. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She also participated in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference.

She is also a standout on the fields, where she participated on Girls Varsity Soccer for all four years, serving as Captain of the Team in both her junior and senior years, and was a member of the Varsity Nordic Ski Team for all four years, also serving as Captain in her Junior Year.

Because of her accomplishments in everything that she does, she has been the recipient of a number of awards including an Ithaca College Scholarship, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Scholarship, Marching Band Award, Johnstown Marching Band Award, Johnstown Educational Foundation Award, Living Environment Award, Dr. William Crankshaw Madrigal Choir Award, and Scholar Athlete Award. She also finds time to serve as a Nanny with a local family from 20 to 30 hours per week.

Congratulations to Ayla on such an accomplished body of work at Johnstown High School!

Bailey Pierce

Gloversville Enlarged School District

Bailey Pierce will graduate as Gloversville High School’s Valedictorian, with a weighted GPA of 98.83. She has been accepted to Syracuse University, Northeastern University, and the University of Rochester. When she decides on a college, she will study biology and hopes to continue her studies beyond a bachelors degree to become a Physician’s Assistant. Pursuing a career in medicine, she writes, “would give me a sense of purpose, and I want to specialize in dermatology because I have first-hand experience on how skin struggles can affect a person physically and mentally.”

She has received a number of academic awards for her excellence, including being named an Academic Titan for the past three years, received The Nessel Family Holocaust Memorial Scholarship, the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, Brown University Area Alumni Award, Youth Community Engagement Award and the Littauer Speaking Award. She is a member of her school’s National Honor Society, the National Latin Honor Society, the Youth Activation Committee, Key Club, Student Government Association, Olympics of the Visual Arts, Masterminds Character Education, and the Student Liaison Committee. On the field, she participated in Varsity Soccer and Basketball at GHS. She is also the student representative to the Gloversville School District’s Board of Education. Beyond the classroom and playing fields she also finds time to hold a part-time job at Summer’s Best ice cream stand in Johnstown.

Jennifer Hazzard, a Gloversville High School teacher and advisor, says of Bailey, “She is a fantastic student. One of the best I have encountered. She is a person who will leave a huge impact wherever she goes.” Christina Lais wrote in her recommendation, “Bailey’s potential is limitless….She is a kind and compassionate person who truly makes our school a better place. Her presence will be greatly missed next year.”

Of her future goals, in her essay for this award, Bailey writes, “I enjoy helping other people, whether that be by volunteering in my community, or by tutoring underclassmen. My involvement in my community and school has inspired me to pursue a career in medicine because I’m able to combine my love for the sciences with a profession that positively impacts the world around me….Science is challenging, yet exciting, and gives me a reason to keep learning, studying and discovering more about my interests. Biology provides opportunities for lifelong learning and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. Healthcare careers can be filled with burnout, and high stress, however it also fosters fulfilling and meaningful work that make it all worth it.”

Congratulations on a stellar academic career, Bailey. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Kaylee Heroth

Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District

Winner of the Daryl Baldwin Scholarship. The Daryl Baldwin Scholarship is given in memory of the late Daryl Baldwin, a local businessman and elected official in the Town of Johnstown. This award is underwritten by Gary and Susan Furman. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must have a passion for politics and a love for the arts. The student should be a genuine and kind person and would go out of their way for those in need. This year’s recipient, Kaylee Heroth of Oppenheim-Ephratah – St. Johnsville High School, fits this criteria in many ways.

In a letter of recommendation that Jennifer Wasserstrom Doty submitted on Kaylee’s behalf for this scholarship, she notes “Kaylee is a kind, sincere and genuine young woman. She is driven, thoughtful and possesses a level of maturity that sets her apart from her peers. It has been a privilege to watch her grow and to have her in my classroom.” In his recommendation for Kaylee, Aaron Grady writes, “Kaylee’s character is deeply rooted in the values of our rural community, shaped by a family dedicated to public service….She has developed a profound understanding of the hard work and empathy required to support a small-town infrastructure. This unique perspective has fostered a strong sense of civic responsibility in Kaylee, making her exceptionally worthy of a scholarship that honors students committed to the future of our region.”

Kaylee’s accomplishments are both in the classroom, and beyond. She has earned an unweighted GPA of 99.6; she has held the highest class average from sixth grade to present. She has honed leadership skills through her involvement in the National Honor Society, where she served as Treasurer and this year as President. She is also highly involved in the National FFA organization, the Future Farmers of America. She has been active with this group since she was in 7th grade, and currently holds the position of State Secretary – one of only six students in the state selected for this important role. Also for FFA, she received a Silver Ranking for Extemporaneous Public Speaking in 2024, received a Bronze Ranking for Public Speaking in 2023. She also was the winner of “Girls Who Start” 2024 Summer Writing Workshop where she was the author of an article on the impact of social media on women in STEM.

Kaylee is also an accomplished musician and athlete. She participated in Varsity Cross Country from her sophomore through senior years, Varsity Track all four years of high school. She was a Western Athletic Conference all star in 2023-2024. She is first chair clarinet in both the high school concert band and small ensemble from her freshman year through this year, and plays alto saxophone in the Jazz Band for the last two years. She is also currently President of her class. She plans to attend Quinnipiac University this Fall, where she has been accepted into the Honors Program.

In her essay for this award she writes about how she disagrees with how students are often put into boxes that identify them as “math/science smart” or “history/english smart”. She writes, “Throughout my life, I have aimed to break these boxes and learn as much as I can about a variety of topics. While some skills may apply to more personal projects, I still believe all my skills are essential to who I am. I have diverse interests and skills that I believe will support me in multiple ways.” We agree with this statement, and congratulate Kaylee on all she has accomplished, and looks to accomplish in her bright future.

2026 Chamber Scholarship Program

2026 Recipients

Victoria Forte

Alexandra Forte

Ayla Naselli

Bailey Pierce

Kaylee Heroth

Victoria Forte

Greater Amsterdam School District

Alexandra Forte

Greater Amsterdam School Districtl

Ayla Naselli

Greater Johnstown School District

Bailey Pierce

Gloversville Enlarged School District

Kaylee Heroth

Oppenheim-Ephratah-St. Johnsville Central School District

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