A lot of New Canaan's brightest students, and some of the area's most worthwhile causes, have received a big boost from the New Canaan Community Foundation. The NCCF awarded more than $160,000 in scholarships and grants earlier this summer. Seven non-profit groups and 37 New Canaan students reaped the benefits.
The seven organizational grants were all tied to educational programs. The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Domus, Horizons Student Enrichment Program, Laurel House, Nursing and Home Care, SoundWaters and the Westport School of Music received a total of $22,600 to fund various scholarship and fellowship programs.
But most of the assistance went directly to 37 students based on need, academic achievement and community service. The foundation gave out a record number of scholarships for the program's fourth year. "The timing of this increase in scholarship awards was so fortuitous with the downturn in the economy and the increased need among local residents for financial support for educational costs as a result," said NCCF executive director Cynthia Gorey.
The group gave out $137,600 in Anne and Anthony Sapienza Scholarships, named for the couple who started the fund back in 2006 through a bequest in Anne's will. Thirteen previous winners still attending college received renewal grants: Jon Aspinwall, Jennifer Balogh, Ellen Fitzpatrick, Hannah Guerrero, Edward Kelting, Bartlomej Kudrzycki, Nicholas Lemoine, Jessica Marvin, Melissa Parrett, Taylor Anne Potter, Christopher Sciarretta,0 Sam Stryker and Candace Rooney.
The remaining 22 went to graduating seniors heading to college next fall. They were: Jelani Alladin, Marie Aspinwall, Darryl Cummings, Julia Danforth, Segolene Dewey, Christopher Dombakly, William Frick, Shamiel Gonzalez, Faith Grabarz, Nicholas Horstmeyer, Dylan Hsu, Megan Joyce, Amanda Langlais, Christopher Lemoine, Christian Manotok, Nanette Melfi, Harrison Nantz, Noelle Power, Jessica Rosa, John Sauerhoff, Joshua Strassman, Lorena Tamayo, Isabella Trifero and Peter Tzul.
Along with her Sapienza Scholarship, Faith Grabarz also earned an award from the Joseph A. Derrico Scholarship Fund. Joseph's daughter established the fund in 2009 to honor her father's commitment to volunteer service. The awards go to a student who has shown exceptional community involvement.
Information about applying for these scholarship programs is available at www.newcanaancf.org. Any additional questions about the Foundation may be directed to Cynthia Gorey, executive director, at (203) 966-0231 or [email protected].
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