Two high school seniors from Charlestown receive scholarships from Partners HealthCare affiliates

Charlestown residents Brendan L. Baker and Matthew J. Johnson each were awarded a $3,000 2013 Partners HealthCare Charlestown Merit Scholarship, by Partners affiliates MGH Institute of Health Professions, MGH Charlestown HealthCare Center, and Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. This is the fourth year the affiliates have collaborated to present these awards.

Baker graduated from Charlestown High School and will pursue a degree in biology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Johnson, who graduated from Malden Catholic High School, will attend Merrimack College in North Andover, and has a long-term goal to become a physical therapist.

Moving to Charlestown as a high school sophomore, Baker was inspired by his AP Science teacher to apply for the SeaFuel Engineering Program internship, where his team placed second in a competition at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A team captain on the CHS football team, Baker also was the school’s Air Force JROTC Flight Commander, where he helped organize its community service efforts including assisting at food pantries in Charlestown.

“Studying in a multicultural, multilingual, diverse environment daily at CHS has prepared me for life’s next steps,” said Baker, who wants to become a laboratory technician in medical research labs. He is also doing an internship with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Johnson began thinking about a career in physical therapy at age 12, when he injured his shoulder playing football. He had such a positive experience that he plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.

He participated in Charlestown Youth Hockey, Charlestown lacrosse, and at the Charlestown Boys and Girls Club.

Johnson also coached 4 to 6 year olds in basketball at the Charlestown Community Center, ensuring the players stretched properly to help avoid injuries. That experience helped solidify his career choice.

“I have always liked helping people because I knew it would make a difference and make me a better person in the long run,” Johnson said.