Valley Community Foundation Awards $170,000 in Scholarships

  

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 75 scholarship 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 Lions Offer Scholarships

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.

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. 

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.

(This is a press release from Seymour Lions Club)

Seymour GOP Offering Scholarships

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

(This is a press release from Seymour RTC)

Volunteers Needed

DERBY - The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, is looking for volunteers to provide additional support for elderly patients.

 

HELP is designed to offer special services to older adults while hospitalized at Griffin Hospital. Between 30 and 50 percent of seniors can experience a decline in their physical and cognitive abilities during a hospital stay.

 

HELP is a comprehensive, evidence based, patient-care program that provides various volunteer interventions such as meal time assistance, friendly visits, activities, walking and exercise to help patients maintain their optional level of functioning. HELP team members work in partnership with the doctors and nursing staff to highlight issues specific to geriatric care and to provide education to patients and their families.

 

Training and supervision will be provided. No previous medical experience is required. Volunteers have a choice of working various weekday shifts between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Scholarship incentives are also available for eligible college students.

 

The next HELP training is scheduled to begin in the spring. To learn more about this exciting program or to become a HELP volunteer, please call Laura Murphy at 203-732-7466.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Boys & Girls Club Award Schlolarships to Valley Students

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)

Ansonia High presents prizes at graduation

ANSONIA – The following graduation prizes were announced during commencement exercises for Ansonia High School Class of 2014, held on June 18:

Class of 1940 Award: Jessica Cegelka

Class of 1945 Award: John Williams

The Michael J. Adanti Memorial Community Fund: Devon Champen

The Carl R. Ajello Prize: John Williams

Ronald J. Aldo Memorial Award: Adrian Wiacek

American Legion Post #50 Graduation Prize: Rebecca Lorduy

The Joseph “Jay” Amico Artistic Memorial Scholarship Fund: Devon Champen

The Ansonia Federation of Teachers, Local 1012: Jessica Cegelka                   

Ansonia High School Parent-Teacher-Student Organization Award: Andrew Devine and Karalyn Meineke

AHS Alumni Prizes: Morgan Westine and David Widel

AHS Faculty & Staff Prize: Allesandro Manchisi

Ansonia High School Principal’s Award: David Widel        

Ansonia Rod & Gun Club: Adrian Wiacek & Susie Baez

Ansonia Rotary Club Scholarship: Jessica Cegelka 

Assumption Home-School Association: Kassie Tamburrino & Klaudiusz Kopec

The John F. Blake, Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Arthur Kwaskiewicz 

The Raymond Chrzanowski Memorial Award: Adrian Wiacek          

John Coughlin Memorial Prize: Arkeel Newsome

The Alfred R. Cox, AHS Gridiron Memorial Prize: Corey Dzienkiewicz                

John Smolen Danielsky Business Award: Alexa Picheco                             

The Frank Erlingheuser Memorial Award: Karalyn Meineke

The Williams Evans Sr. Memorial Award: John Williams

The Salvatore Ferla Memorial Award: Devon Champen

The Ruth H. Feinberg Connors Principal's Award: Karalyn Meineke           

Major Frank H. & Mary Alice Ferdian Memorial Prize: Shayquan Turner

The Anna May Finnucan Award: Kassie Tamburrino

The Ann Marie Glenn Memorial Award: Kali Pellegrino

The Nancy Crowley Golino Memorial Prize: John Williams

The Peter S. Goumas Presidential Award: Louis Nicoletti               

Arthur Gray, AHS Gridiron Club Award: Saiheed Sanders

Coach John Hunt Memorial Scholarship: Matthew Simon

The Charles J. "Boots" Jarvis Prize: Thomas Majchrzak

The Dennis Keller Memorial Award: Darwin Elias

The John J. Kevalis Memorial Prize: Allesandro Manchisi

A.C. King Memorial Award: Matthew Simon

Knights of Columbus Council #10537, Holy Rosary: Cailee D’Amico

Winifred Bennett Kerins Memorial Prize: Thomas Majchrzak & Bryan Guerra

The Russell & Joanne Kiley Kulawiz Fund: Nicole Espinosa

The Class of ’52 Robert A. Kyasky & John W. Shortell Prize: Thomas Majchrzak

Class of 1990 – Shannon Renker Lelacheur Memorial Scholarship: Reaghan Bennett

The Allison Mancini-Hlavna Memorial Prize: Brittany Rosebrock

The Patrick Macnamara Memorial Prize: Thomas Majchrzak

Irene McAllister Memorial Prize: Ivery Lyons

Miss Ansonia Softball League Award: Morgan Westine

Ann O’Neil Award: Alexa Picheco

The Patricia Ann Panitz Memorial Award: Taylor Ross

The Gordon C. Parker Memorial Scholarship: Morgan Westine

The Joseph E. Potter Memorial Award: Sean Bonaparte

The John Quake Memorial Scholarship: Bryan Guerra

The Dusty Rhodes Memorial Award: Ryan Hovan

The Charleen Riccio Memorial Prize: John Williams

The V. Gerard Ryan Scholarship: Andrew Devine

The John A. Sabulis, Pine Class of 1944, Memorial Award: Matthew Pitney

Edith Schoonmaker Memorial Prize: Jordan Dossantos

The Dorothy Shortell Memorial Award: Kristen Langrieger

Matthew “Pop” Shortell, AHS Gridiron Club Athletic Award: Arkeel Newsome

The Luba Soldra Memorial Graduation Prize: Sarah Paskiewicz

The Mary Haussler Soukup Memorial Art Award: Bryan Guerra

The Jeanne Sovinski Memorial Award: Morgan Westine

Julian A. Taylor Memorial Scholarship: Reaghan Bennett                            

Minnie Tolles Scholarship: Karalyn Meineke

The George Vartelas Memorial Scholarship: Antone Mack

The Peter Vartelas Memorial Scholarship: Kirsten Langrieger

Vocational Education Scholarship: Arthur Kwaskiewicz

James Wilkins Lodge #9 Graduation Prize: Susie Baez

The Yudkin Family Scholarship: Ashley Adams, Susie Baez, Jennifer Bucci, Jessica Cegalka, Arthur Kwaskiewicz, Christopher Majchrzak, Thomas Majchrzak, Alessandro Manchisi, Melissa Pannone, Sara Paskiewicz.

The Albert J. Yuravich Memorial Award: Thomas Majchrzak

The Robert E. Zuraw Scholarship Award: Morgan Westine             

The Stephen F. Zuraw Memorial Scholarship: Antone Mack

ECMC Scholarships: Ashley Adams, Christopher Devine, Nicole Espinoza, Sarah Eye, Bryan Guerra, Vivian Lobato, Ivery Lyons, Karina Ortero, Melissa Pannone, and Joshua Vazquez.

 This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.  

 

Congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates!

Seymour Lions seek scholarship applicants

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Lions Club is accepting scholarship applications.

The scholarship is open to all high school students who are residents of Seymour planning to attend any college or course of study.
Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded each year. You can fill out your application  at www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/seymourct, (under the scholarship tab), print it out and then mail the complete application, essay and cover sheet. 

Submit your application to the Seymour Lions Club, 26 George St., Seymour, 06483. 
All applications must be postmarked by April 1 of the current year.

The check will be made payable directly to the college/course of study upon verification of student's acceptance into the college/course of study.



This is a press release from Seymour Lions Club.

Seymour festival announces scholarship winners

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Pumpkin Festival Association has announced it annual scholarship winners: Jamie Conti and Stephen Machnicz of Seymour.

Conti is a graduate of Seymour High School and the daughter of David and Kathy Conti. She plans to attend the University of Connecticut and is undecided on her major.

Machnicz is also a Seymour High School graduate and he is the son of Mary and Steve Machnicz Sr. He plans to attend the University of Hartford and major in Business.

The annual scholarships are given in honor of past member Adeline Tripp and they are awarded to students who are involved in their community and give of themselves.

This year's Pumpkin Festival will be held Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at French Memorial Park in Seymour. The rain date will be Sept. 29.

On festival day the park will be full of unique arts and crafts, with hundreds of vendors expected to attend. There will also be food, rides, and children’s contests.
Admission is free. No vehicle traffic, pets, or bikes are allowed in the park on festival day to help insure the safety of families attending the festival.

For festival updates, like Seymour Pumpkin Festival on Facebook or follow the association on Twitter @CTPumpkinFest.

Any questions can be directed to the Seymour Pumpkin Festival Association at:
pumpkinfestivalbooth@hotmail.com.




This information is taken from a press release.

Seymour church seeks scholarship applications

SEYMOUR - The Great Hill United Methodist Church Board of Trustees has announced that applications are now available for the McKane Scholarship for 2013.

The scholarship has been given annually since 1968 and is in memory of Peter Hall McKane who died tragically at the age of 18 in an automobile accident and his brother, Paul Archer McKane, who died in 2003 from cancer.

The scholarship fund was endowed by the McKane family, friends and church members.  This year a scholarship award of $1,000 will be given to a graduating high school student from Seymour or Oxford, who has been accepted and plans to attend a college, university or other institute of higher learning.

Selection criteria includes financial need, personal effort, individual goals reflecting a degree of determination, and academic achievement.

For information or an application, persons may contact local high school guidance offices or call the Great Hill United Methodist Church, 203-888-9425. The application is also available at www.greathillumc.org.

The deadline for applications is May 3.

Seymour Pink, Inc. to grant 2 scholarships

Nonprofit to offer funds in memory of founder's mother

Seymour Pink, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission to unite a community in the fight against breast cancer.
Theodosia McEnerney, who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 55, was the mother of Mary Deming, founder of Seymour Pink, Inc.

The Board of Directors’ of Seymour Pink will be granting two $1,000 scholarships in Mrs. McEnerney’s memory to deserving students pursuing post-secondary studies.

Applications must be received no later than April 21.

In order for a student to be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

The applicant must have a loved one (family and/or friend) who has/or have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The applicant must be a resident of the Naugatuck Valley.

The applicant must be planning on attending an accredited two or four-year college, university or technical school as a full-time student during the academic year 2013-2014.

The applicant must fill out a form and write an essay in response to the following prompt:

“What I have learned from this experience and how might I help others because of it.”

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Students may e-mail, hand deliver, or post completed application. Please use the following:

pink.roseanne@gmail.com. Hand deliver to the Seymour High School guidance office, or mail to:

RoseAnne Thornton
Seymour Pink, Inc.
P.O. Box 333
Seymour, CT.  06483

Scholarship applications will be reviewed, and scholars chosen by the Seymour Pink, Inc. Scholarship Committee.
Student essays, grades and extra-curricular activities will be considered as criteria.
In fairness to all, the names will be withheld from the committee until after the recipients have been selected. 

Upon nomination, the Scholarship Committee of Seymour Pink, Inc. will have the authority to decide which (if any) of the nominations warrant consideration.  All applications will be kept confidential.

Scholarships will be awarded on May 30 to Seymour High School students at the Seymour High School award assembly.

Student scholars who attend other schools will be awarded their scholarship at the May 7 Seymour Pink, Inc. Board of Directors meeting.

AT&T to fund Seymour High scholarships

Taken from Kurt Miller's Facebook page:

AT&T Connecticut today announced a $5,000 donation to the Friends of Seymour Public Library to help fund scholarships for graduating Seymour High School students.

There will be two $2,500 scholarships available to graduating Seymour High School students. The Friends of the Seymour Public Library is a non-profit volunteer organization that believes in the importance of books and libraries for people of all ages.

Each year, the Friends of the Seymour Public Library award monetary scholarships to graduating Seymour High School senior students who have an interest in pursuing a career in library media science, communication, history, political science, governmental studies or English. 
The students must demonstrate strong academic achievement, good citizenship, and community involvement.

“We’re committed to helping students with a passion for learning advance their education and attend college,” said Gerry Eckhardt of the Friends of Seymour Public Library. “Thanks to AT&T’s generosity, we will be able to help two students attend college this year and gain the tools necessary for successful careers.”

“AT&T is proud to support organizations like the Friends of Seymour Public Library that are committed to providing students with the opportunities and skills necessary to compete and thrive in today’s competitive marketplace,” said Kelly Wade Bettuchi, Director External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T Connecticut.

In addition to the AT&T Scholarships, the Friends of Seymour Public Library annually award two $300 scholarships to graduating Seymour High School students.

For information, contact Lisa Rubio, Guidance Counselor, Seymour High School.

Seymour Pumpkin Festival scholarships announced

SEYMOUR - The Seymour Pumpkin Festival Association announces its annual scholarship winners. The 2012 scholarship recipients are Alexander Barton and Alexander Zygmunt of Seymour.

Alexander Barton is a graduate of Seymour High School and the son of Scott and Kim Barton. He plans to attend either Springfield College or Western New England University and major in Sports Management.

Alexander Zygmunt is a graduate of The Sound School in New Haven and the son of Cosimir and Dina Zygmunt. He plans to attend University of Rhode Island and major in Aquaculture and Fisheries.

The annual scholarships are given in honor of past member Adeline Tripp and they are awarded to students who are involved in their local community and give of themselves.

This year's Pumpkin Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at French Memorial Park.
The festival raindate will be Sept. 30.

On festival day the park will be full of unique arts and crafts, with hundreds of vendors expected to attend.
There will also be food, rides, and children’s contests. Admission is free.
No vehicle traffic, pets, or bikes are allowed in the park on festival day to help insure the safety of families attending the festival.

Any questions may be directed to the Seymour Pumpkin Festival Association at:
pumpkinfestivalbooth@hotmail.com.

Derby-Shelton Rotary announces scholarship winners

Shawn Fields, President of the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club, has announced winners of the Club's annual scholarships.
The Club awarded a total of $14,250 to nine students from Derby and Shelton High Schools. Each school is awarded three scholarships annually while there are three scholarships awarded to students from either school.

The 2012 winners are:
Derby High School 
Martin Chromik Scholarship - Samantha Kalafut $1,750; 
Cas Turaj Scholarship - Stephanie Dytko $1,000; 
Deceased Rotarian Scholarship - Abbey Monaco $1,750; Shelton High School 
George H. Tierney Scholarship - Stephen Arena $1,750; 
Harry Fowler, Jr. Scholarship - Brianna Wood $1,000; 
Deceased Rotarian Scholarship - Sarah Jose $1,750.

Other scholarships not awarded strictly by school: 
Dr. Edward Bednar Scholarship - Nicole Hansen (Shelton) 
$1,750 Edward Handi Scholarship - Colin Haydu (Derby) 
$1,750 Robert Dickgiesser Scholarship - Alexander Oppel (Shelton) $1,750.

The scholarships are named after former members of the Club who exemplified Rotary’s motto of “Service above Self” and had a major impact on the Club and the cities of Derby and Shelton.

For information about the Rotary Club scholarship program visit http://derby-sheltonrotary.org/.