Pagacik Scholarship Winners to Study Engineering, Environmental Sciences
Three graduates from Littleton High School who will pursue degrees in engineering and environmental science have been awarded the Denise M. Pagacik Memorial Scholarship.
Tvisha Nanda, Kaitlyn St. Gelais, and Cainan Pletcher each received a $2,000 prize toward college tuition. This is the first year three winners have been chosen due to the strength of the applicants.
The scholarships are given in the memory of Denise M. Pagacik, the late wife of LELWD Commissioner Ivan Pagacik. A Littleton resident for more than 25 years, she was a loving mother who is remembered for her selfless commitment to the community and helping others. Two scholarships were funded by the Pagacik family and the third by LELWD.
“Tvisha, Kaitlyn and Cainan all have a track record of academic achievement, but perhaps most importantly, they have demonstrated a commitment to their community through volunteering and public service,’’ said Nick Lawler, LELWD’s general manager.
The competitive scholarships are awarded to LHS students pursuing engineering or environmental sciences – careers vital to the future of electric and water utilities.
- Cainan will be attending Lehigh University for engineering.
- Tvisha will be attending UMass Amherst to study biomedical engineering.
- Kaitlyn will be attending the University of New Hampshire for environmental science.
Scholarship Leads to Engineering Career
Four years after receiving the Denise M. Pagacik scholarship from the LELWD, Littleton resident Paige Hornbeck is launching her career with the engineering firm Weston & Sampson in Manchester, N.H.
Paige graduated from the University of New Hampshire in May with a civil engineering degree, and recently joined the company’s structural and transportation sector, working with software for site plans and structural calculations.
Paige loves interacting with people and hopes to work her way into the field, engaging with community members and learning more about environmental sustainability. The 2021 Littleton High School alum thanked LELWD and her community for the support that helped guide her career path.
“Having that support from multiple sectors and knowing that people cared about putting me through college with this specific degree was really assuring,’’ she said.
July 8th, 2025