NHS Grad Earns Scholarship Award

The Humane Society of the United States announced recently that Abbie Branchflower of Newtown High School is the recipient of the 45th annual Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship.

The HSUS presents this award each year to a New England high school senior in recognition of significant work in the field of animal protection. Abbie will receive a $2,500 scholarship for her pre-veterinary medicine studies at Delaware Valley College, Pennsylvania, this fall. 

“Abbie stood out for her unbridled passion for horses,” said Heidi O’Brien, director of student outreach for The HSUS. “An advocate for pet adoption and an active member of school clubs, Abbie is a true friend to animals in need.”

Admiral James Shaw and his wife Elizabeth established the Shaw-Worth Memorial Scholarship in 1965 to honor the family’s strong belief in compassionate treatment of animals and the importance of humane education. Admiral Shaw was instrumental in developing the youth education division of The HSUS and served as the director of The HSUS New England Regional Office.

Humane Society Youth is a division of The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization.

After learning about the conditions that horses endure before and during slaughter, Abbie wrote letters to influential leaders, overcame shyness to call legislators, and gave speeches to her 4-H club. She celebrated the victory of the last horse slaughter plants closing in the United States, and now advocates to ban horse slaughter worldwide. Abbie has also spoken out about other related topics.

To get her peers involved, Abbie co-founded the Charitable Acts in Newtown Towards Equine Rescue (CANTER) group at her high school. The club holds an annual day of awareness in February called Hearts for Horses, which promotes the humane treatment of all equines. To keep everyone informed, she also created a website and Facebook page.

“I have put countless hours into our club’s mission because I truly feel that we can make a difference for horses,” said Abbie.

Abbie is also an active member of the Animal Concerns Club at the high school, volunteers at The Animal Center in her town to socialize and care for felines, and adopted two kittens there. As a journalist for the school’s newspaper, The Hawkeye, she has written many articles to promote animal welfare and the importance of adoption. To raise money and awareness, she has participated in fundraisers to benefit horses, to benefit spay and neuter campaigns, and to help stop puppy mills and factory farming.