The 's commitment to supporting the higher education goals of local students is, "about more than money. It represents a unique partnership to grow and sustain a vibrant community," said NCCF Board President Cindy Charas in her opening remarks at the organizations's Scholarship Award Reception, Wednesday evening, May 18, at the .
Former NCCF President Julianne Grace introduced the recipients of the Anne and Anthony Sapienza Scholarship Awards and expressed gratitude to Anne Sapienza whose fund, she said, " leaves for New Canaan an enduring legacy."
In addition to the 57 students who received awards, two local non-profit organizations with existing scholarship programs for their staff or clients received block grants. This year those organizations were Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care and Laurel House.
Recipients of this year's scholarships are: , , Melissa Arliss, , Kelly Balkun, Jennifer Balogh, Alexandria Bodick, Vitoria Brouwers, Dana Curto, Elizabeth Dahill, , , Karl Eason, , Brendan Fitzpatrick, , , Peter Fuoco, Hannah Guerrero, Chad Harshbarger, Nicholas Horstmeyer, , , Taylor Joyner, Jeremy Kelley, Edward Kelting, , Bartlomej Kudrzycki, Amanda Langlais, , , Christopher Lemoine, Nicholas Lemoine, Christian Manotok, , Karen Martin, Sara McCloskey, Dominic Miller, Harrison Nantz, Wyatt Nantz, , Daniel O'Neill, Alexandra Orteig, Mateo Pagani, Melissa Parrett, , Noelle Power, Jessica Rosa, John Sauerhoff, , Jonathan Sirisuth, Kishauna Soljour, Bruant Soohoo, Isabella Trifero, Peter Tzul, and .
The recipients attend a wide spectrum of colleges. Eight attend the University of Connecticut, one each are at Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State, and two attend Norwalk Community College. Further afield, institutions include three Ivy League colleges, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and one graduate student attending law school.
The evening also featured the presentation of the Joseph F. Dorrico Rotary Scholarship Award. Ben Bilus of the explained that the award seeks to recognize "loyalty to community through service."
Praising this year's recipient, Bryant Soohoo, Bilus listed some of the organizations with which he has been involved: (SLOBS), , TOPS, and the New Canaan Food Bank. In addition, Soohoo attained the rank of Eagle with the Boy Scouts.
