Northern Lake George Community Uplifts Local Students | Changing Lives with Scholarships

Robert O’Neil (left) studying Air Traffic Control and Aviation Science studies at SUNY Schenectady County Community College. Liam Burke (right) receiving his NLGF scholarship to attend the Lineman Institute of the North East.

Ticonderoga, NY — When local students dream big but face financial barriers, the Northern Lake George community only asks one question: What can we do to help?

Robert O’Neil, an aspiring aviator, and Liam Burke, an aspiring lineman, were in need of a little extra support this academic year. So, people in our community did what they do best: help.

Generous donors quickly contacted the Northern Lake George Foundation. Together, they presented both of these deserving students with scholarships, enabling Robert to study Air Traffic Control and Aviation Science studies at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, and Liam to attend the pre-apprenice electrical linemen program at the Linemen Institute of the North East (LINE). Their scholarships are part of over $8,000 the Northern Lake George Foundation has awarded to support local students in only its first nine months of operation.

“Receiving the scholarship allowed me to focus fully on my education and training without having to worry as much about financial constraints,” Robert expressed. “I already hold my Control Tower Operator certificate and a Private Pilot License, which have strengthened my understanding of aviation operations from both an air traffic control and pilot’s perspective.”

As they pave their career pathways, these ambitious young men demonstrate the power of connecting our community. This semester, Robert is interning at the Albany International Airport’s management office, where he is gaining firsthand experience in airport operations and administration. Liam recently graduated from LINE and is working locally for SLICFiber, which acquired Bridge Point Communication. Currently, he’s balancing his time between bucket trucks and exploring apprenticeship opportunities.

For Liam, his scholarship is a reflection of the community that raised him. “We’re all family. I know half that town would bend over backwards for me, and I would do the same for them,” he said. “I plan on giving back what was given to me by the foundation. I’m not in the spot right now, but in 10 years when they help someone else and pay for their training, I’ll donate for it too.”

Donors Leading Change in Our Community

The Northern Lake George Foundation is excited to celebrate Meg Singer and Mike Huffman kicking off the 2026 scholarship campaign with a $10,000 donation. Their generosity embodies the passion behind the foundation’s education and workforce development initiative. The Northern Lake George Foundation would like to thank its generous donors and passionate supporters for making life-changing scholarships, like Robert and Liam’s, possible.

Donate to the 2026 Scholarship Campaign

Education has the power to change lives. Many local students aspire to pursue post secondary education, but face financial barriers that inhibit their ambitions. Contributions to the Northern Lake George Foundation’s 2026 Scholarship Campaign directly support our students as they pursue their dreams and build a brighter future. Donate to the campaign at www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/change-lives-with-scholarships or through the foundation’s website at www.nlgfoundation.org.

About the Northern Lake George Foundation

The Northern Lake George Foundation (NLGF or NLG Foundation) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of current and future generations in Northern Lake George by fostering economic growth, supporting youth development, and enhancing community well-being. The foundation aspires to achieve its mission through its commitment to (1) education and workforce development, (2) innovation, entrepreneurship and empowerment, and (3) program and infrastructure investment. Inspired by Lake George and Lake Champlain connecting our region, the Northern Lake George Foundation envisions connecting our community to create a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future for Northern Lake George. For more information on the Northern Lake George Foundation, visit their website at www.nlgfoundation.org.

Northern Lake George Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026

Ticonderoga, NY — The Northern Lake George Foundation is excited to announce it is accepting scholarship applications for the upcoming academic cycle. These scholarships are designed to support local students who have demonstrated a commitment to their education and community.

“Investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways we can strengthen our region’s future,” said Kathleen Coffman, Executive Director of the Northern Lake George Foundation. “These scholarships connect the generosity of our donors with hardworking students pursuing trades, certificates, and college degrees, empowering the next generation to make a meaningful impact on the Northern Lake George community.”

Students attending a variety of programs are eligible for consideration. Eligible programs include trade schools, professional certificates, 2 year colleges or universities, and 4 year colleges or universities. Applicants must have attended the Ticonderoga School District at any time and meet the criteria detailed in the application. Priority will be given to students who intend to live and work in the Northern Lake George Area after their graduation, fostering the next generation of local leaders and professionals.

Northern Lake George Foundation scholarships are made possible by donors from our community. The foundation would like to thank its donors for their generosity, passionate support, and commitment to enhancing our community’s well-being.

Apply for a Scholarship

Students and families must submit their completed applications by May 20, 2026. To apply and for more information, please:

1. Visit www.nlgfoundation.org, or

2. Contact the Ticonderoga High School Guidance Office, or

3. Submit an application directly to the Northern Lake George Foundation at info@nlgfoundation.org.

About the Northern Lake George Foundation

The Northern Lake George Foundation (NLGF or NLG Foundation) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of current and future generations in Northern Lake George by fostering economic growth, supporting youth development, and enhancing community well-being. The foundation aspires to achieve its mission through its commitment to (1) education and workforce development, (2) innovation, entrepreneurship and empowerment, and (3) program and infrastructure investment. Inspired by Lake George and Lake Champlain connecting our region, the Northern Lake George Foundation envisions connecting our community to create a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable future for Northern Lake George. For more information on the Northern Lake George Foundation, visit their website at www.nlgfoundation.org.

NLGF Scholarship Spotlight: Liam Burke’s Path to the Linemen Institute

NLGF board member Bob Porter (right) presents Liam his scholarship check.

The Northern Lake George Foundation (NLGF) is proud to announce that we have awarded a $3,000 scholarship to Liam Burke, a 2025 graduate of Ticonderoga High School, to help him pursue a pre-apprentice electrical lineman program at the Linemen Institute of the North East (LINE) in Kingston, NY. The scholarship reflects NLGF’s ongoing commitment to supporting local students in developing practical skills that strengthen both their futures and the community we call home. 

Liam’s decision to pursue linework came from a clear-eyed view of the world around him. With automation and artificial intelligence reshaping industries, he wanted to focus on a career that would always require skilled human hands. “I know [automated machines and robots] aren’t going to dangle up on a pole, […] and [the grid infrastructure] is only going to get more developed, so I might as well hop in that field,” he said. Determined to make an informed choice, he reached out to professionals in the industry and listened closely to their advice. “I went down to the barn here in Ti at National Grid and talked to a couple guys I know”. He explains that the advice they gave was very straightforward: “go to the Linemen Institute.” That guidance led him to LINE, where he has since thrived in a hands-on, results-driven environment. 

Now approaching graduation, Liam has already completed a series of interviews and earned multiple industry certifications. “They make it so easy. I’m getting all my certifications: CPR, OSHA, CDL, bucket truck, diggers, my climbing certificate” he explained. The program’s structure, combining classroom learning with extensive field practice, has given him the confidence and qualifications to step directly into the workforce. 

That progress, however, he states would not have been possible without financial support. “I’m so thankful that I got the scholarship for it and was able to make it happen. It’s the reason I was able to go. It paid off a lot of my loan.” The scholarship relieved financial pressure and allowed him to fully focus on training and career preparation. 

For Liam, this opportunity represents more than personal advancement—it’s a reflection of the community that raised him. “We’re all family. I know half that town would bend over backwards for me, and I would do the same for them,” he said. He’s already thinking about how to pay that generosity forward. “I plan on giving back what was given to me by the foundation. I’m not in the spot right now, but in 10 years when they help someone else and pay for their training, I’ll donate for it too.” 

That sense of belonging, combined with a relentless work ethic, has shaped Liam’s journey from an early age. “Ever since I’ve been 10, I’ve worked on the family farm. […] The day I turned 14, I started working at the Wind-Chill. How many hours I put in there was crazy!” he said. That drive has now carried him into a field where persistence, teamwork, and precision are essential—and where his success will ripple outward into the wider community. 

Through stories like Liam’s, the NLGF’s Education & Workforce Development initiative demonstrates the power of opportunity in action: how targeted support and community trust can turn potential into lasting results. His training is already opening doors to multiple job opportunities and recognized certifications, putting him on track for a long-term career in a sector vital to the region’s infrastructure and growth. 

Liam’s story also underscores a larger truth: that investing in local talent builds stronger, more resilient communities. As he put it, people in Ticonderoga “bend over backwards” for one another—and when the next generation has the tools to succeed, that spirit of giving comes full circle. 

The Northern Lake George Foundation congratulates Liam Burke on his achievements and looks forward to seeing where his determination and skill will take him next.