Many of you who have children in Pomperaug High School know that the Land Trust awards a scholarship each year to a graduating senior who intends to pursue a conservation related field of study. What you might not know is the story behind this award and the two most influential people behind its creation.

    The story begins with Gerry Ivers, who moved to Southbury after a long teaching career in Westchester County, N.Y. that followed his service as a naval officer in WW II.   Gerry fully appreciated and loved the largely undeveloped nature of Southbury and joined the Southbury Land Trust board in the early 1980's. Soon after, he could often be found scouting, clearing, and blazing trails throughout the SLT properties.

    The story continues with Justine Sedergren, who served as an Army nurse in the Pacific during the war, then raised two girls and became a stock broker after they were grown. When both Justine's husband and Gerry's wife passed away, Gerry and Justine became good friends, sharing their love of the great outdoors.

    After Gerry himself passed away in 2005 at age 95, Justine came to the Land Trust board and suggested that a scholarship be created in his name. The board quickly established the Ivers Scholarship and Justine made the initial donation to the scholarship fund and for many years thereafter, the land trust received substantial additional donations from Justine.

Sadly, Justine herself died this September at age 96. To honor her wonderful contributions over so many years, the Southbury Land Trust board voted in 2019 to add Justine's name to the award. Henceforth, the annual gift will be called the Ivers/Sedergren Scholarship.

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Students interested in applying for this annual scholarship can do so through the guidance office at Pomperaug High School in the spring.