Abigail Tuinstra Gregory Smith, Jr.
By Anne Pryor
Margaret’s Fund
The 2024 Margaret’s Fund Scholarship is an award given to Northside residents annually — a recent high school graduate in even-numbered years and an adult returning to college in odd-numbered years. This year, there will be two awards given. Gregory Smith Jr. and Abigail Tuinstra, 2024 graduates of East High School, have been selected to receive scholarships.
Gregory grew up on the Northside and was active in various clubs in high school, as well as a volunteer at the Packer Townhouse Community Center. He was a member of Peers Uplifting Peers (PUPs) at Mendota Elementary and said, “Being a part of this taught me a lot…. I feel like this club greatly impacted me and the things I do today.”
Gregory was accepted at several colleges and will attend Carroll University in Waukesha in the Accounting program. He added, “My mom is a big key to my success; whether it’s coming to all my games no matter the sport or coming to any events of mine no matter how big or small. Her support pushed me to do better. Because of her support, I will be attending Carroll University while playing basketball as well. Thank you, Mom!”
Abigail will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison and plans to study Interior Architecture. She has been involved in volunteer groups at East High School and in the community, including the Black Student Union and Eastside Youth Athletics. On her application, she said that because of her volunteer activities, “I…realized how much everyone desired to be accepted.… Diversity and inclusivity are very important to me.”
Margaret’s Fund was established in 2007 to assist Northside residents with getting a degree or certificate. The award is unrestricted, meaning it can be put toward costs outside of tuition and books, such as transportation, supplies and computers. Over the years, the award amount has increased from $500 to $1,000 thanks to the fund’s growth at the Madison Community Foundation.
If you would like to contribute to this scholarship fund, checks may be made payable to Madison Community Foundation, with “Margaret’s Fund” in the memo field, and mailed to: Madison Community Foundation, 111 N. Fairchild St., Suite 260, Madison, WI 53703.
