Maria Burt - Vocational Rehabilitation

Sept 1, 2018

Maria grew up in Hydeville, a village in Castleton. She went to Castelton Elementary School and Fairhaven High School. When she was in elementary school she had an art teacher who was a Rotarian, Karen Helm. When this teacher asked her students to help raise funds for supplies for her trip to Honduras. Maria wanted to go with her. She was told that she would have to wait until she was eighteen and in high school. Maria waited and when she was in high school, she went to Honduras.

Maria started her college education at Elmira College, but when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she transferred to Castelton College to be near her. She finished her degree in three years instead of four. While at the college, Maria was the president of the college's Rotaract Club.

Her mother had a degree in social work and her father had one in sociology, so Maria combined them graduating with a dual major in social work and sociology She also received a certificate of Civil Engagement. She got her Masters in Social Work at Syracuse University in 2016. She got her degree in Community Organizing and Policy Administration. (COPA). After thirty years, her father retired from the State of Vermont in the department for which she works. He retired in April 2016 and she started in June 2016.

Maria has three older siblings. She is the youngest by nine and a half years. Her oldest sibling is Jennie who lives in Fairhaven and has three children. Her brother Stephen is a paraplegic as a result of an automobile accident. Her other sister, Elizabeth, lives in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Maria has just received a promotion at work. She lives in Troy with her partner, Neil, and two dogs, Onyx and Brady. Since she was a Rotary scholarship recipient, she would like to work on scholarships as well as the International Committee in addition to working on developing a Rotaract Club.

Author: Sally Sugarman (Club Member & Windmill Editor)
Windmill