Who Are We?
The Wyatt Butcher Memorial Scholarship Fund Incorporated is comprised of the Board of Directors who founded the organization. The members are Julia Witherell, Courtney Bradigan, Sarah Smith, Bessie Fitzgerald and Biancca Riggle. Each member knew Wyatt well and watched him grow for the 16 years that we shared this earth with him. Because of this each of us has a vested interest in honoring him and keeping his memory alive. Each of us also have a desire to give children an opportunity to further their career goals and success.
Julia Witherell
Julia is Wyatt’s mother. Wyatt was her first-born son. Julia resides with her three surviving sons: Warren, Will and Elwood and her boyfriend Josh. Julia was born and raised in South Dayton, NY and attended Pine Valley growing up. Julia has a bachelors degree in Legal Studies, a graduate certificate in Disaster and Emergency Management, and is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration. Julia currently works as an Investigator and some day plans to disaster relief work. Julia is a volunteer EMT/firefighter for the South Dayton Fire Department. Julia loves spending time with her children, traveling and enjoying baseball games. Becoming a mother was always Julia’s greatest desire and her children provide her with purpose. Julia is a proud member of this organization and is excited to be able to give back to a community that provided so much support to her family in their time of need.
Courtney Bradigan
Courtney was born and raised in South Dayton, NY and attended Pine Valley. Julia and Courtney have been friends since they were five. Courtney resides with her husband, Chris and their four children. Courtney has an associate’s degree in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her degree in Elementary Education. Courtney currently works as a teacher’s aide. Courtney is heavily involved with the community through both the school and town sports. Courtney has coached baseball/softball for many years, along with her mother and sister. Courtney feels motherhood is the greatest adventure life has given her. Courtney feels honored to be able to be a part of honoring Wyatt in this way. Courtney is also excited to give back to kids of a community that has been part of her entire life.
Sarah Smith
Sarah resides in Forestville with her two children and husband, Mike. Sarah was a Pine Valley graduate. Sarah and Julia have been friends since middle school. Sarah studied to be an LPN and currently works as an LPN Supervisor. Sarah has a large family and spends most of her free time with them or at her son’s sporting events. Sarah loves spending her time with her children, whether that be snowmobiling or sledding in the winter, camping and the beach in the summer. Sarah feels blessed to have her children and is a proud mother. Sarah is looking forward to being able to honor Wyatt through this program. Sarah is excited about this opportunity to give back to kids who may not be eligible for scholarships due to the career path they have chosen.
Bessie Fitzgerald
Bessie resides in Cheektowaga with her husband, Josh and their two children. Bessie is a Pine Valley graduate and has been friends with Julia and Sarah since middle school. Bessie joined the navy right out of high school and was honorably discharged after serving 8 years. Bessie has a bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. Bessie is currently working as a licensed mental health counselor. Outside of work Bessie spends her free time with her children and enjoys reading. Bessie loves being a mother and the many adventures motherhood brings. Bessie is excited to be honoring Wyatt in this manner. Bessie hopes to bring increased mental health awareness through the scholarship program and Wyatt’s story.
Biancca Riggle
Biancca is Julia’s niece and Wyatt’s cousin. Biancca resides in Dunkirk with her fiancée Liv. Biancca is also a graduate of Pine Valley Central School. After high school Biancca did not attend college and has done various jobs and trades. Biancca currently works as a Youth Development Professional. Biancca also has a side business in woodworking. Biancca enjoys being creative, hiking, gardening, spending time with her siblings, spending time with her cousins who are like siblings, and going to concerts. Biancca and Liv love spending time with children and are looking forward to having some of their own someday. Biancca was very close with Wyatt and feels honored to have been asked to be a part of this organization. Biancca is looking forward to being able to provide assistance to kids like her that do not take the traditional track by attending a four year college.
Our Purpose
The Wyatt Butcher Memorial Scholarship Fund Incorporated was founded in October 2022 to honor the late Wyatt Butcher by starting a scholarship fund in his name. Wyatt was a hands-on learner and was studying to be a welder. The scholarships will be awarded annually at graduation. The scholarships will be intended for students like Wyatt who are entering into a trade or vocational program. The eligibility requirements for the scholarship are seniors attending Pine Valley Central School and/or E2CCB P-Tech (Dunkirk Campus), who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, have an academic reference, completion of the application, lastly, complete an essay to help the board of directors learn more about the candidates and their goals. This scholarship will help keep his memory alive, and hopefully for those that hear Wyatt’s story bring to light stronger mental health awareness.