Massport Awards Annual Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship
Boston resident receives award for college
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced the recipient of the annual
scholarship honoring the memory of longtime employee Deborah Hadden Gray. The 2024 Deborah Hadden Gray
Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Boston resident Leah Mai.
“We are proud to name Leah as this year’s Deborah Hadden Gray memorial scholarship recipient,” said Massport
interim CEO Ed Freni. “Through her academic achievement and her interest in pursuing environmental and
marine sciences, Leah truly exemplifies the spirit of this scholarship.”
The Deborah Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school student who is a resident
of the City of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop. Hadden Gray worked for Massport for 20 years and served
as Port Director from 2012-2015. She had a tremendous impact on Massport’s Maritime mission and was a strong
advocate for the working port, and the jobs and businesses it supported, while carefully balancing the priorities
of the South Boston community.
Mai is a graduate of Boston Latin School and she will soon attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She
has worked at the New England Aquarium, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and participated in the Boston Latin
School Orchestra and Fencing Club.
To be considered for the Deborah Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum
3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their
community service has affected their outlook on life. In her essay, Leah wrote, “I saw how both scientists and
local fishermen would work together to achieve the same goals and how I could repurpose my childish dream
into something of substantial value to the environment and conservation.”
Applications are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Gray family.
Students interested in applying for the 2025 scholarship should visit www.massport.com for eligibility
requirements.