Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 from Scholarship Funds to Support Educational Pursuits of Local Students
DERBY, CT (October 22, 2020) – Whether at home conducting remote learning, via a hybrid model, or attending full-time and in-person, the start of a new school year looks very different for students pursuing higher education during the pandemic. With the 2020-2021 academic year under way, the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) is pleased to announce that it has awarded more than 160 scholarships totaling $170,000 from its 75scholarship funds. While many of these students are entering their first year of higher education this fall, some awards provide renewable tuition assistance for up to four years.
“For many Valley residents, establishing a scholarship not only pays tribute to their family but it can also memorialize their name at a local high school,” said Sharon Closius, VCF President & CEO. “Whether it’s participation on a sports team, the longevity of family history, or memorializing lifetime friendships that were made, establishing a scholarship to benefit local high schools is an investment in our community’s future and reflects the value of higher education.”
For years, VCF has worked with the Valley’s high schools to manage and administer scholarship funds. Rather than a high school holding the scholarship money in a CD or savings account, scholarships are established, managed, and invested with VCF. The high school continues to select the recipients of various scholarships, but the staff saves time and money by not administering individual savings accounts. Additionally, the money is invested in a large investment pool that has historically yielded a better return, which increases the size of the fund and the distributable amount over time.
Scholarship funds are often created in memory of someone special. Depending on preference, the scholarships can support any area of academic need, including tuition, room and board, or books. Donors can simply select eligibility requirements for the scholarship based on a student’s field of study, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, financial need, background, or geography. Some scholarships give a single award to support a graduating senior pursuing higher education while others can be renewable through college.
If you are interested in establishing a scholarship fund in honor or in memory of a loved one that can benefit a local graduating senior each year, contact Sharon Closius, Valley Community Foundation President & CEO, for more information at 203-751-9162 or visit www.valleyfoundation.org.
About The Valley Community Foundation
Established in 2004, the Valley Community Foundation distributes approximately $1.6 million in grants each year to support the local nonprofit sector and the people it serves. In addition to grantmaking, VCF works in strong partnership with The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (TCF), to promote philanthropy in Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton and receives funding from The Gates Fund and other preference funds at TCF that benefit the Valley. For more information, visit www.valleyfoundation.org.
SEYMOUR - The
Seymour Lions Club is accepting scholarship applications for 2020.
This scholarship is open to all high school seniors that are residents of
Seymour planning to attend any college or course of study. Four, $500 scholarships are awarded each year.
After filling out the application under the scholarship tab, simply print it out along with the application cover sheet, also found online.
Essays and cover sheet can be mailed to:
The
Seymour Lions Club
26
George St
Seymour,
CT 06483
All
applications must be post marked by April 1t, 2020. The check
will be made payable directly to the college/course of study upon verification
of students acceptance into the college/course of study.
The Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Committee Announces
$5,000 JAT Award Winner
ANSONIA - The Julian A. Taylor Scholarship Committee announces 2019
Ansonia High School graduate, Ekettee Weamie, is the recipient of the 2019
$5,000 Julian A. Taylor Scholarship.She
will be attending Gateway Community College where she will major in radiography.
She aspires to be a Radiographer. In addition to maintaining her academics Ekettee
was active in the National Honor Society, Student Government, Human Relations Club,
National Art Society and After School Chorus.
The $5,000 Julian A. Taylor
Scholarship Award is presented to the highest ranking African American Senior
with an 85 or above average going to a University/College. In addition, 21
African American students in grades 3 to 11 attending Ansonia Public Schools
will receive a $100 JAT Scholars award. The Julian A. Taylor
Scholarship Fund was established in 1982 to honor and continue the ideals of
the late Rev. Dr. Julian A. Taylor, former Pastor of Macedonia Baptist
Church.
The event speaker will be the 2019 State
of CT. Teacher of the Year, Sheena Graham. Sheena is a native of Ansonia and a
graduate of Ansonia High School.She is
currently a Music Teacher at Warding High School, Bridgeport.She is in her 36 year of teaching in the Bridgeport
Public School District.
Graham has led workshops in music
literacy, connecting parents and teachers, and music in ministry. Graham’s
recording and writing experience is extensive. Her original works have been
performed locally and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (“We Can If We
Believe,” March of 2018,) and the White House (“My Destiny,” February 2014)
(“It’s Not How You Start,” May 2016). Topics include dealing with teen years,
coping with tragedy, breast cancer and not allowing our circumstances to define
our destiny.
Superior Court Judge Erika Tindall,
will be the event M.C. Attorney Tindall,
was appointed in 2014 by Gov. Malloy to the bench where she serves in Hartford,
CT.
Awards will be presented at the
J.A.T. 37th Annual Awards Dinner, on July 14, 2019 2:00 p.m, at the
Grassy Hill Country Club, 441 Clark Lane, Orange CT. Ticket donations are $40 for adults and $20
for children.To purchase tickets please
call 203.645.9635. The public is invited.
ANSONIA - Bryan Nguy is valedictorian of the Class of 2019 at Ansonia High School, Principal Paul Giansanti has announced. Bryan and the rest of the top 10 students of the class were honored at a banquet, hosted by the Ansonia Board of Education, on May 22 at AHS. In addition, they led their classmates during the commencement exercises on June 7 on Jarvis Field.
All of the top 10 students have earned numerous college credits by completing college-level courses offered by Ansonia High School, and most of the students are going to potentially earn many more for courses they recently completed.
With each course ranging in value from $608 to $3,738 and higher, the top 10 graduates may potentially save more than $30,000, thanks to courses they successfully completed while at AHS.
The completed courses taken by the majority of the top 10 include the following: Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Language and Composition and U.S. History. Students have also taken advantage of numerous other courses, including Physics I and II, Calculus, Computer Science, Modern Western Traditions, and Digital Electronics.
Many college-level courses are offered as a result of partnerships with UConn, the University of New Haven, and HCC (Housatonic Community College).
Here is a brief overview of each student and their accomplishments while attending AHS:
Bryan Nguy, valedictorian, is the son of Bruce Nguy and Quyen Lam.
He is a member of the Junior Statesmen of America, the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and the Audio and Visual Club. His volunteer work has included helping Prendergast School organize books for their library; guide runners in the Griffin Hospital 5K race; and assisting with the lights and backstage work for AHS concerts and talent shows. Bryan has earned 22 college credits by completing the following college-level courses: Statistics, Chemistry, Language and Composition and U.S. History. Bryan is awaiting the results of testing he completed for the following courses this year: Physics, Literature and Composition, Calculus, Computer Science and Modern Traditions. He could potentially earn an additional 26 credits for courses taken this past year. Bryan is majoring in computer science at UConn in the fall.
Timmy Betancur, son of Nguyen Betancur and Eugenio Betancur, is salutatorian. Timmy has been a member of the AHS Band, the AV Club and the National Honor Society. He has helped to organize books at a local elementary school; assisted in several community events; and guided runners in a local 5K road race. Timmy has earned 24 college credits for the following courses: ECE Statistics, AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry and ECE U.S. History. He can potentially earn an additional 20 for college credit courses he recently completed, including ECE Physics, AP Computer Science, AP Literature and Composition and AP Calculus. He will be majoring in computer science at Northeastern University.
Samantha Rowland, the daughter of Keith and Christine Rowland, is ranked third. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, and the Global Scholars Club. Samantha is the recipient of the Yale Book Award. She has taken numerous college-credit courses at AHS, including AP/ECE Statistics, AP Language and Composition; ECE/AP Chemistry; AP US History; AP English Literature IV, AP Calculus, AP/ECE Physics and ECE Modern Western Traditions. She has earned 36 Early College Experience credits. Samantha will be attending Fairfield University in the fall.
Cali Brown, daughter of Randy and Maureen Tomlinson, is fourth in her class. Cali is a member of the National Honor Society and the Global Scholars Club. She has taken seven college-credit courses, including AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP English Literature IV, AP Statistics, AP Psychology and ECE Modern Western Traditions. Cali has earned 21 Early College Experience credits. This fall, she will be attending Clark University and will be taking on a double major course of study in English and Community, Youth and Education.
Julia Ashley Catale, daughter of Joe and Susan Catale, is fifth in her class. Julia is a member of the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team, the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Student Ambassadors Club, the Human Relations Club, and the Junior Statesmen of America. She has been honored as a CIAC Scholar Athlete. Julia has served as a sixth grade mentor; has been a member of the Binky Patrol, which makes blankets for children who are hospitalized; and has participated in a veteran’s games night. She recently completed an AP Calculus class. Julia will be majoring in chemistry at Central Connecticut State University.
Nikka Mae Real, daughter of Novie Real, is ranked sixth. Nikka is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of America, the Gay-Straight Alliance, the Human Relations Club and the After School Chorus. She has taken five college-credit courses, including AP Biology, AP Statistics, AP English Literature IV, AP Calculus and AP Physics. Nikka has earned 28 Early College Experience credits. She will be majoring in mechanical engineering at Gateway to UConn.
Lance Praseutsack, son of Pon and Sokho Praseutsack, is ranked seventh. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the Audio Visual Club. He has helped out backstage at talent shows and music concerts at AHS; has helped organize books at a local elementary school; has guided runners at a local 5K race; and has helped out at blood drives. Lance has taken numerous college-credit courses, including US History, Chemistry, Physics, Literature and Composition and AP Calculus. He may earn a total of 30 college credits for these courses. Lance will be majoring in mechanical engineering at Clarkson University.
Michael Esposito, son of Andrew and Danielle Esposito, is eighth in his class. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Yearbook Club, and the Spirit Club. Michael served as a student intern. He has taken five college credit courses, including AP/ECE Statistics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, ECE/AP History and AP English Literature IV. He has earned 18 Early College Experience credits. Michael will be majoring in business management at UConn.
Dain Padilla, son of Jennifer Walker and David Padilla, is ranked ninth. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Junior Statesmen of America and the Audio Visual Club. He represented AHS at Boys State last year. Dain has taken nine college-credit courses, including AP/ECE Statistics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, ECE/AP Chemistry, ECE/AP History, AP English Literature IV, AP Calculus, AP/ECE Physics, and ECE Modern Western Traditions. He has earned 40 Early College Experience credits. Dain will major in criminal justice at UConn.
Sarah Madar, daughter of Eileen and David Madar, is ranked tenth in her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Audio Visual Club. Sarah volunteered at nearly every event involving members of the National Honor Society; has helped raise money for the Class of 2019; and assisted the teachers in her dance school. Sarah has taken several college credit courses, including ECE Modern Western Traditions, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP/ECE English Literature and Composition and Digital Electronics. She will be majoring in Interactive Media and Game Arts at Becker College.
(This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools)
SEYMOUR - The Seymour Republican Town
Committee has established two new scholarships in the amount of $500 each to be
awarded to two students who are residents of Seymour and who will be graduating
from any high school (public or private) in Spring/Summer 2019 and who will be attending
college in Fall 2019.
The
Seymour Republican Town Committee (SRTC) voted to establish and fund the
scholarships at its January 2019 meeting. According to Bill Paecht, SRTC
Chairperson, the awards were established to recognize the achievements of
Seymour residents who will be graduating from high school and entering college
in 2019. Brian Koskelowski, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, added that the
SRTC decided to make the competition for the scholarships open to graduating
seniors from any high school as well as to those registered with any or with no
political party.
Applications
and information about the scholarships have been provided to the Guidance
Offices at all of the high schools in the region. According to Mr. Koskelowski the SRTC
Scholarship Committee will evaluate the applications submitted and select the
winners based on a number of factors including academic achievement and school
and community involvement. Winners will be announced and recognized at their
high schools’ Awards Night ceremonies.
The
Seymour Republican Town Committee acts as a vehicle for nominating candidates
for town offices, as well as supporting the party’s activities and its elected
officials. For more information visit www.seymourgop.org
SEYMOUR- The Seymour Lions Club is accepting scholarship applications for 2018. This scholarship is open to all high school seniors that are residents of Seymour planning to attend any college or course of study. Four, $500.00 scholarships are awarded each year.
You can fill out your application on-line, at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/seymourct. After filling out the application under the scholarship tab, simply print it out along with the application cover sheet also found online. You can then mail your essay, application and cover sheet to:
The Seymour Lions Club
26 George St.
Seymour, CT 06483
All applications must be post marked by April 1st of the current year. The check will be made payable directly to the college/course of study upon verification of students acceptance into the college/course of study.
(Sharing Information from City of Ansonia's Facebook page)
ANSONIA – With MLB spring training camps now open, what better time to think spring and baseball!
Mayor Dave Cassetti, in conjunction with the Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics, announce that the City of Ansonia will host a regular season Division I college baseball game this spring at Nolan Field.
This is the first-ever event of its kind at Nolan Field.
The game will feature the Sacred Heart University Pioneers vs. University at Albany Great Danes and is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2018 with a May 16 rain date. Game time is yet to be determined but will likely be a late afternoon start with Nolan Field’s lights taking effect for the final innings.
“This is an original idea developed by my Constituent Services Director Greg Martin,” said Mayor Cassetti. “It certainly has the potential of becoming a signature event for Ansonia. We plan to offer up our finest hospitality to both teams.”
This inaugural game will be treated as a “pilot” and based on its success, SHU is considering making it an annual “home” game tradition here that could bring in other marquee opponents such as Yale or UCONN to the Copper City.
A nominal admission will be charged for the game.
“This is a great sporting event for families, kids and senior citizens from throughout the valley and beyond to attend and enjoy high caliber Division I college baseball talent,” said Cassetti.
Ansonia 6th Ward Alderman Joshua Shuart, a professor of sports management at Sacred Heart, assisted in bringing both sides together to facilitate the idea along.
SHU has had many players professionally drafted by Major League Baseball, with several continuing their MLB aspirations in the minor leagues. This past summer, Troy Scribner made his MLB debut with the LA Angels, becoming the first Pioneer to appear in “the show.” Scribner, a 2013 graduate of the University, went 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 23.2 innings of work in 10 outings with Los Angeles.
SHU is a member of the Northeast Conference and Albany is a member of the America East Conference. Both clubs have qualified for NCAA national tournaments over the past 10 years, with the Pioneers making four trips and the most recent in 2015.
“This is the next best thing to bringing a professional ball game to an intimate, hometown backyard setting,” said Martin. “It’s a unique sporting event opportunity that offers interesting growth potential.”
Nolan Field, considered one of the finest high school facilities in the state for both football and baseball, has previously hosted a Philadelphia Phillies tryout camp in 1948, and even a Major League exhibition game in 1922 featuring the National League St. Louis Cardinals against an Ansonia amateur team that attracted 4,000.
The second largest crowd to watch a baseball game here was in 1972 when Ansonia High School hosted Naugatuck near the end of the Grey Hounds vaunted 64-game winning streak. On a warm Saturday afternoon in May, a crowd estimated by The Evening Sentinel as over 3,000 watched a 15-inning thriller as Naugatuck prevailed 3-2 to keep their streak alive. AHS pitcher Dennis Lee hurled the entire 15 innings.
In 2014, as part of the Ansonia’s 125th anniversary celebration, Martin produced a vintage baseball game set in the 1880’s between the mythical Derby Osbornedales and Ansonia Coppermen played by era rules, uniforms and equipment. The game attracted 1,200 fans.
Nolan Field’s baseball capacity can accommodate up to 5,000 fans.
Martin is a former minor league general manager with the Pittsfield Colonials of the CanAm League and has also co-developed two nationally televised live vintage baseball games for ESPN.
SHELTON – The Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley held its 2017 Scholarship Award Ceremony Tuesday. Linda Welch, Chair of the Scholarship Committee, awarded 20 students with a combined total of $28,949 in college scholarships.
The scholarship recipients were: Samantha B., Matthew B., Megan B., Jess C., Holly C., Mackenzie C., Kiara D., Alina G., Julia H., Kyle H., Emily K., Jaylen L., Sabrina M., William M., Yancere P., Keith P., Taylor Q., Tayliah Q., Marila S. and Lauren S. The scholarships and awards amounts were as follows:
Coram Gardens Civic Association - $7,000
This award was established in 1987 by the former Coram Gardens Civic Association to help improve the quality of life for those people from the geographic region of Coram Gardens. Since its inception, more than $137,000 has been disbursed to help defer the cost of college tuitions.
Raymond P. Lavietes - $4,000
This award was established in 2005 by long-time friend and supporter Ray Lavietes. Ray left our Boys & Girls Club a bequest of $100,000 to help our members afford a secondary education. Thanks to Ray’s generosity, more than $43,000 has been disbursed in scholarship funds.
Dr. Edward G. Bednar - $5,000
This award was established in 2010, in memory of “Doc” Bednar, a long-time Board member and unfailing supporter of our Club and the children who attend every day. Since the first scholarship only seven years ago, the Bednar family has already awarded more than $12,200 to help students pursuing an education in the healthcare field.
George C. & Margaret Smith - $5,000
George C. and Margaret Smith left a surprise bequest of $100,000 to our Boys & Girls Club. Since its inception this fund has provided more than $114,000 for secondary education to our young men and women.
Fortin Family Foundation - $5,000
This new scholarship is being awarded for the first time this year, to a member of the graduating class to further their post-high school education at an accredited post-high school institution. A recipient may reapply for such scholarship in ensuing college years up to a maximum of four years.
George & Beatrice Ryan - $2,949
After leaving the service after World War II, Shelton resident George Ryan jumped with both feet into the automotive industry.Many years later, Ryan is still passionate about the career that has taken him from the gas pumps to the successful Curtiss-Ryan Honda car dealership. And now George is eager to share his passion by extending a helping hand to others who enter the field. “I always thought I should give back to the community,” Ryan said. “It has supported me, and I believe that I should support it.”In 2004, Ryan chose to do exactly that by establishing the George and Beatrice Ryan Scholarship Fund at Valley Community Fund, which provides scholarships to students who are planning to study automotive administration, sales or technology. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, visit www.BGC-LNV.org.
(This is a press release from the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley)
State Representative Linda Gentile (D-Ansonia, Derby) joined House SpeakerJoe Aresimowicz, Finance Committee Co-chair Jason Rojas, Higher Education Committee Co-chair Gregg Haddad, college students and advocates Friday, to highlight legislation making Connecticut more affordable for college graduates and seniors.
House Bill 5586, An Act Making Connecticut More Affordable For College Students, establishes a tax credit against the personal income tax for recent graduates from an accredited institution of higher education with an associate, bachelor, master’s or doctoral degree who reside in the state of Connecticut within two years of graduation. They can claim this tax credit for 5 successive years.
House Bill 5587,An Act Concerning A Tax Exemption For Senior’s Social Security Benefits, would exempt Social Security benefits from the state income tax for seniors.
Rep. Gentile has joined the rest of the House Democrats in introducing these two bills and recently testified in favor of each of them.
“In order for Connecticut to remain competitive for business growth and job creation, we have to make the state more affordable for our graduating students,” Rep. Gentile said. “By doing so, students will have the incentive to live and work in Connecticut. We can make Connecticut a more welcoming place for job growth, and we can make it more affordable by decreasing the cost of state and local government.”
Rep. Gentile continued, “Connecticut also needs to make sure our seniors are taken care of. This bill seeks to make Connecticut more friendly to retirees; lessening the incentive for them to move to states like Florida which don’t impose an income tax. Connecticut remains a notoriously difficult state to retire in and retirees and seniors leave the state more than any other age group. This bill will ultimately help reverse the outmigration of our seniors and retirees.”
(This is a press release from House Democrats' Office)
ANSONIA
– Thirty-six Ansonia High School seniors now have some pretty impressive
bragging rights: They have already been accepted into college, more than six
months before they are even finishing their final year of high school. All
together, these students will receive more than $217,000 in renewable scholarship
funding when they officially start their collegiate education.
These students
participated in Ansonia High’s first ever “Onsite Decision Day,” which featured
admissions staff from seven Connecticut colleges and universities: University of Bridgeport, University of New Haven,
Southern Connecticut State University, Albertus Magnus College, Gateway
Community College, Naugatuck Community College, and Housatonic Community
College. AHS students, who had to complete their college essay and application
in advance, met individually with college representatives throughout the
morning, reviewing their paperwork and learning about the tuition cost, as well
as their eligibility for scholarship funding.
At 11 a.m., students
learned that they had officially been accepted into one of the colleges, and
they celebrated with a pizza and ice cream lunch. They also took pictures in a
photo booth, which featured signs from the colleges and fun signs such as “The
Adventure Begins,” and “Hire Me.”
“The schools
complimented our students for their professional demeanor and academic
abilities,” said Stacy Marchionni, one of the school’s three guidance
counselors, who coordinated the details for the event. She added that all 36
students were accepted into the schools they applied, and two students were
wait-listed for the nursing program at their college of choice.
Mrs. Marchionni was
joined by guidance counselors Katelyn Foran and Ed Hilser to plan this event
for the past two months, working with students to prepare their admission
paperwork and lining up the colleges.
“This is the type of
event that shows what we are doing at Ansonia High School: supporting our students
as they prepare for college, and providing college-level courses that prepare
our students for the academic rigor,” said Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of
Schools. “I would like to continue to increase the college-level courses at AHS
and ask for the support of everyone – our parents and our community – in making
every opportunity possible to our students.”
Terri Goldson, principal of
Ansonia High School, joined the students in celebrating their acceptance into
college. “The CollegeOnsite Decision Dayevent was
awesome! I commend and truly appreciate our guidance department for giving our
students hope for their future and helping them fulfill their dreams,” he said.
“At AHS, it is our goal to help all students to pursue and attain postsecondary
college to career opportunities.”
Last month, Ansonia
High hosted a College Night and had 65 students and parents in attendance.
Three $500 scholarships, sponsored by the ECMC Foundation, were raffled off. A
spring College Night will be offered in 2017, and three additional $500
scholarships from the ECMC Foundation will be raffled off again.
Ashley
Coleman, an ECMC Scholars advisor, oversees eight Connecticut high schools –
including Ansonia High – that are members of the ECMC Scholars Program. She attended
the AHS Onsite Decision Day program and said she intends to encourage the eight
Connecticut high schools that she oversees to offer it.
“Undoubtedly, acceptance
into college is one of life’s greatest moments," she said. "Events such as the Onsite
Decision Day highlight student achievement, community collaboration and the
much needed partnership between secondary and higher education institutions. It’s truly something to walk away with a college acceptance letter
and thousands of dollars in renewable scholarship funds in early November. For
students who hadn’t considered college or were planning to put it off until
much later in the year, events like this make the college dream a reality."
“I recall several students sharing stories of
their parent’s excitement, and on the brink of Thanksgiving in the coming
weeks, students and their families have a little something extra to be thankful
for,” Ms. Coleman said. “I thank the educators of Ansonia High and particularly
Mrs. Marchioni and Mrs. Foran for their efforts. I will definitely be picking
their brain in order to run this event going forward and extend it across all
of the scholar schools.” (This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools)
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal greets students Tuesday in the media center at Ansonia High School. He was there to lead a discussion about the high cost of college education today.
As the mother of a high school junior, the daunting
task of thinking about college is upon me.
It seems like only yesterday when I waited at the
bottom of my driveway for the big yellow school bus to carry my son Zack off to
kindergarten. With his Spongebob Squarepants backpack slung over his little shoulders,
Zack embarked on his school career.
Fast forward a decade later, Zack, now 16 years-old
and almost 6 feet tall (and yes, he has since traded the Spongebob backpack
for an Under Armour one), is a junior at Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls. Before
I know it, he’ll be sporting a cap and gown, graduating with his fellow
seniors in the Class of 2014. Yikes! But between now and then, some major
decisions about ‘what to do next’ will need to be made.
I’m sure lots of kids Zack’s age have some idea of
what they’d like to major in at college, but not Zack, not yet anyway. We
thought the Yankees might be holding a spot open for him somewhere in the
outfield, since he has pretty mad baseball skills, but then quickly I snap back
to reality. So, instead, when we heard about UConn’s annual open house, held
last month, the family jumped in the car and headed to Storrs to see what the
iconic college could potentially have in store for Zack.
Met the infamous Jonathan
I’ve actually never been to UConn, and as we
approached the campus, I marveled at how it looked like its own mini-town.
Remember I’m a Valley girl, so New Haven, Stamford, and Bridgeport seem like
big cities to me.
We checked in at Gampel Pavilion, and just seeing
the big dome in person, where many a basketball championship has gone down, was
kind of cool. It was also pretty neat to see Jonathan. Don’t know who Jonathan
is? I didn’t either until we came upon a larger than life statue of UConn’s infamous
Husky dog mascot. Of course, we all posed for pictures with Jonathan for
posterity.
The campus was bustling with fellow wide-eyed high
school juniors and seniors from all over. At every turn was a UConn
student, clad in blue and white rugby shirts, making them easy to spot as tour
guides for the day.
Those with a clue of what they’d like to pursue,
i.e. engineering, nursing, education, were able to attend specific
presentations. We, on the other hand, checked out the presentation for
undecided majors, and were surprised to find out the man giving the talk
started out wanting to be a dentist, ending up majoring in biology and landed a
job at UConn mentoring kids undecided about majors. A lesson in irony, for sure.
We also got a tour of the campus, courtesy of two friendly
sophomores who knew the place inside and out. We ended the day’s events with a
tour of a dorm room, one shared by three guys, which was surprisingly clean and
didn’t reek of dirty socks.
You may wonder what Zack thought of the experience,
especially since it was his first time setting foot on a college campus. He
thought it was “cool” and a place where he could maybe picture himself going. But
I guess only time, and my pocketbook, will tell.
And anyone who’d like to offer us newbies some
advice on how to navigate this whole college process can certainly drop me a
line at jean.sos@snet.net.
