LYNNFIELD — Lynnfield High School Class of 2023 graduate Spencer Ripley received the Bill Faria Memorial Scholarship during Senior Awards Night on Thursday, June 1 at Pioneer Stadium.
This scholarship is in memory of Bill Faria, who was a Lynnfield High teacher, parent, grandparent and super fan. The scholarship is awarded to an LHS student who is involved in the drama program at the high school. Previous awardees were Grayson Wainwright in 2020, Grace Mealey in 2021 and Lauren Lim in 2022.
Faria was a native of Boston, a graduate of Boston English High School and a Korean War veteran. Faria entered teaching and drama after serving in the Air Force and attending college in his 30s. He encouraged others to seek new interests regardless of age.
Faria’s first teaching job was electronics and woodworking at Lynnfield High School in the late 1960s. Faria also cherished his time as director of the Drama Club.
Faria enjoyed directing the actors and also made extra efforts to include students who were not initially interested in drama. One of his legendary play adaptations was casting a 200-pound male student in the role of Tinkerbell – and it was one of his favorite stories to tell. And while he valued the actors, he also recognized the importance of the crew and stagehands in putting on a show.
Faria was also enthusiastically involved in the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild as a drama coach and judge for more than 20 years. A number of LHS performances were entered into these competitions.
After leaving LHS to become a guidance counselor, Faria returned to Lynnfield as a resident to raise his children and grandchildren for over 42 years.
Although Faria enjoyed the dramatic limelight, he was known as someone who helped people behind the scenes. He was a man people could count on, for deeds large or small, and he was truly gifted at bringing out the best in people.