FMC Corporation, which operates the Agricultural Sciences plant in Middleport, has honored two Royalton-Hartland High School graduating seniors with individual $1,000 FMC Scholarships from the local plant.

The scholarships were awarded to Justine Laverty of Middleport and Gabriella Smith of Gasport based on judging of their 300-word essays which addressed “how you can help influence sustainability in your future career and why is this important.”

In terms of sustainability, FMC previously announced its goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. FMC is one of the first crop protection companies to commit to a net-zero goal, and among a select few companies across all industries to pursue an aggressive net-zero timeline of less than 15 years.

“As a company focused on sustainability and dedicated to our local community, FMC is proud to honor two outstanding Roy-Hart graduates with these scholarships and we wish them much success with their career studies in college,” said Katie Russell, FMC Middleport plant manager.

Justine Laverty, who plans to become a veterinarian and open her own small animal veterinary clinic, said she hopes to implement sustainable practices throughout that entire operation. A member of the National Honor Society and captain of the track and field hockey teams, she plans to study veterinary technology at Medaille College.

Gabriella Smith, who plans to enter the Museum Studies program at the Rochester Institute of Technology, said she would like to create museum exhibitions that are more efficient and sustainable, and less costly through the use of advanced technology and better reuse of artifacts and exhibited documents. She was a member of the National Honor Society at Roy-Hart and captain of the JV field hockey team.

Joshua Walker (middle), maintenance and site services manager at the FMC Middleport Agricultural Sciences Plant, welcomes two Royalton-Hartland graduating seniors Gabriella Smith of Gasport (left) and Justine Laverty of Middleport (right) to the local plant. FMC awarded annual $1,000 scholarships to each student based on judging of their 300-word essays which addressed “how you can help influence sustainability in your future career and why is this important.” Gabriella’s essay focused on creating museum exhibits that are more sustainable and Justine’s essay described how she would implement sustainable practices in her future role as a veterinarian and owner of a small animal veterinary clinic.