The VHB Family Scholarship Program was created to help VHB employees' children achieve their higher education goals. We are proud to introduce this year’s scholarship recipients: Payton Klein, Makayla Mathews, Erin Picanso, Skye Quina, and Nico Ranalli.
These five exceptional students each received a $5,000 scholarship through a competitive selection process administered by the non-profit Scholarship America. Recipients were selected based on their well-demonstrated history of academic achievement, leadership, involvement in school and community activities, honors, work experience, and educational and career goals.
Over the past 19 years, VHB has awarded $189,000 in scholarships to 85 students. Learn more about the 2025 winners:
Payton Klein
Payton is entering her third year at the University of Rhode Island (URI), where she is studying cell and molecular biology with a focus on bioinformatics, aiming for early graduation and a Ph.D. in computational biology. Payton is a Division I athlete in URI Rowing, having won the Atlantic 10 title in 2024 and ranks among URI's top 10 student-athletes for GPA. She's an undergraduate teaching assistant and researcher in microbiology, chemistry, and bioinformatics. This summer, she is working as a bioinformatics research student in the Rhode Island IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence program (RI-INBRE). She enjoys hiking and cycling and is the daughter of Jeff Klein, Director of Transportation in our Providence, RI office.
Makayla Mathews
Kiki is entering her third year at Northeastern University, where she majors in business and psychology with a concentration in finance. She has consistently made the Dean’s List and recently completed her first co-op as Assistant Regional Manager at Rev’d Indoor Cycling and Fitness. Outside the classroom, she plays club hockey, teaches group fitness classes, volunteers, and runs. Currently, she is training for the Sydney Marathon in August to raise funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Kiki is the daughter of Richard Mathews, Assistant Chief Engineer in our Watertown, MA office.
Erin Picanso
Erin Picanso, Douglas High School's valedictorian, plans to major in economics and minor in environmental studies as she furthers her education. She is a two-time state champion of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) and an international finalist, and serves as the DECA vice president and class president. As a Make-A-Wish Ambassador and youth leadership co-leader, she interned at the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, helping allocate over $80,000 in grants. Erin is also a drama director, playwright, cross-country team captain, National Honor Society member, Silver Key recipient, and AP Scholar with Honors. Erin is the daughter of Matt Picanso, Sr., Senior ITS Network Specialist in our Watertown, MA office.
Skye Quina
Skye is a rising sophomore at Clemson University, double-majoring in financial management and economics on the pre-law track. She made the Dean’s List her freshman year and received an International Baccalaureate Program Scholarship. Skye served in Clemson’s Student Government Freshman Council and joined Zeta Tau Alpha. She's training for a half-marathon with plans for the Richmond Marathon in the fall. Skye is the daughter of Stephen Quina, Mid-Atlantic Energy Manager of Engineering in our Richmond, VA office.
Nico Ranalli
Nico is graduating from Portsmouth High School in New Hampshire and will attend the University of Virginia in the fall to study biochemistry. He achieved the highest honors every semester and held leadership roles in several clubs, including co-founding the Korean Club. Nico ran varsity cross country and track, earning awards for his team spirit and received the Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. He contributed to the University of New Hampshire Community Changemaker Challenge Team's win, addressing loneliness among Alzheimer's patients. Nico is the son of Elizabeth Bennett, Corporate Sustainability Manager in our Bedford, NH office.
Congratulations to the incredibly talented recipients of 2025! Learn more about unique VHB benefits offered through our holistic benefits package.
