Westfield State University President Ramon S. Torrecilha speaking next to examples of the scarf and tie that will be on sale. His vest that dons the same pattern will not be for sale. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD- Westfield State University revealed its official tartan at city hall Wednesday morning in conjunction with the Westfield 350 celebration and The Westfield State Foundation.
The Tartan, which is a pattern of colors often seen on traditional Irish and Scottish clothing, has been made into scarves and ties that will be sold by the university to raise funds for a scholarship to be awarded to seniors at the three high schools in Westfield.
“We are looking to give scholarships of $1,000 for high school students in Westfield to attend the university,” says Erica Broman, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, “we are also seeking individual gifts from residents to add to the funds.”
All proceeds from donations and sales will go to the scholarship fund run by the Westfield State Foundation. The scholarship, called ‘The Westfield Pride Scholarship,’ will be given to one senior at each high school with the highest GPA who has been accepted to and chosen to attend Westfield State University.
Left to right: Mayor Brian Sullivan, WSU Foundation chair Andrew Oleksak, Barbara Jensen of the scholarship committee, WSU President Ramon Torrecilha, Karen Casey of the Son’s of Erin, Robert Mahar of the WSU Foundation Board of Directors, and President of the Friends of the Westfield 350 Harry Rock. (Photo by Peter Currier)
Westfield State University President Ramon Torrecilha spoke at the unveiling while wearing a vest with the Tartan’s pattern on the front.
“As you all know, I am from Brazil, and a Tartan is a Scottish tradition,” says Torrecilha, “being from Brazil and not knowing the Scottish or Irish traditions, I asked, ‘what is that a kind of chocolate?’”
The colors on the Tartan represent the colors of the three high schools in Westfield as well as the university. There is blue, white and gold for the university, black and red for Westfield High School, purple and gold for Westfield Technical Academy, and green and gold for St. Mary’s High School.
The scarves and ties are on sale on the Westfield alumni website for $65 and $55 respectively. They will not be available in the Westfield State University book store, and President Torrecilha’s vest will not be for sale.
Mayor Brian Sullivan and President Torrecilha unveiled a certificate authenticating the Tartan pattern with the Scottish Register of Tartans in Edinburgh. For a Tartan to be registered, it must meet a certain set of requirements. In the Fall of 2017, the registry notified the university that all the requirements had been met.
Mayor Brian Sullivan (left) and University President Ramon Torrecilha unveil the authentication certificate from the Scottish Register of Tartans
Mayor Sullivan noted his excitement over recent celebrations in the city, as well as upcoming celebrations for Westfield 350. He cites the recent celebrations of the World War One armistice, the Veteran’s Day parade, and now the new Tartan to celebrate the city.
Also at present at the unveiling was State Senator Don Humason Jr (R-Westfield), Westfield school Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, principals from the high schools of Westfield, and representatives from the Sons of Erin and the Westfield State Foundation.
The candidates for the scholarship will write an essay about what they believe makes Westfield special as a community and why they chose to attend Westfield State University.
