Scholarships Tap Interest from $6.5 Million GSA Endowment, Gifts from 100+ Sponsors

On Thursday night at Greenwich High School, what started decades ago with gifts from two families totaling $68,000 blossomed to awards of scholarships to college-bound seniors in a sum exceeding $550,000.

Each year the number of sponsors has grown, but so has the cost of college. The Greenwich Scholarship Association, which has next to zero administrative costs and runs through the efforts of many volunteer staff, distributes interest from the endowment of $6.5 million as well as gifts from over 100 sponsors.

Many of the scholarships were created in memory of GHS students or graduates who have died. The graduating seniors, who sat patiently for over two hours on the stage of the performing arts center, were reminded not only to write timely thank you notes, but to honor the gifts in the name of others and work to make sure the intent of the gift will be used for the right reasons.

Dr. Winters said the process that goes into selecting scholarship winners is fair, equitable and meaningful.

“While all students on the stage are both accomplished and deserving, you may wonder why, throughout the evening, some students are called up more often than others,” Winters said, adding that GSA has to determine how much money a student can accept in scholarships without it impacting their financial aid package.

During the course of the night the GSA gave out 400 envelopes containing certificates with the amount of the award.

A check for the total amount of the student’s scholarships is sent to the student’s college over the summer.

Winters noted that some awards are for overall achievement and others are for very specific criteria.

Winters said that in the process of matching students with the over $500,000 in funding, the volunteer staff spend hundreds of hours.

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

The scholarship recipients at the 45th annual scholarship evening are:

  • Richard M. Aidinis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship –  Jennifer Rezende
  • Edna Anderson Memorial Scholarship sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich and the Greenwich Exchange for Women’s Work –  Esther Borba
  • Jane C. Bausman Memorial Scholarship – Jennifer Alogna
  • Morris S. & Florence H. Bender Foundation Scholarship – Daysi Tenesaca
  • Sandra A. Boles Memorial Scholarship – Brian Merida
  • Florence Bonvenuto Scholarship – Alejandro MacLean
  • James A. Branca Memorial – Republican Town Committee Scholarship – Blake Guerrieri
  • Jessica Lee Brett memorial Scholarship –  Emily Bozzuto, Nikita White
  • Justin Scott Brown Memorial Scholarsip – Christopher Orrico
  • The Byram Scholarship – Lizeth Bermeo Garcia
  • Alan Capasso GHS PTA Award –   Shaela O’Dell
  • Susannah Chase Memorial Scholarship – Erika Bloes
  • Chickahominy Reunion Committee – Amanda Da Cunha, Marc DeMartis, Makensie Dutton
  • Chicken Joe’s Ride for Kids Scholarship – Nicolette Capalbo
  • Chicken Joe’s Scholarsip – Blake Guerrieri
  • Christopher J. Chute Memorial Scholarship – Robert Clark, Christian Novakowski
  • The Greenwich High School Class of 1942 – Ron Casella
  • The Greenwich High School Class of 2006 –Mateo Leon
  • The Tod Clonan Memorial Scholarship for All-Around Excellence –  Yuri Nobunaga
  • The Tod Clonan Memorial Scholarship for Athletic Excellence  – Jack Barter
  • Tommy Conelias, Jr. Memorial Scholarship –  Dana Wadsworth
  • Connections Scholarship – Jennifer Rezende
  • Robert D’Elia Memorial Scholarships –  Chloe Goldstein, Rintaro Komatsu
  • Monique Dalan Memorial Scholarship of the Greenwich Police Emerald Society/Greenwich Police Social Club – Sophia Daoud
  • The Daly Memorial Scholarship – Katherine Castellanos
45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

  • The Danish-American Club of Greenwich Scholarship – Matthew Wan
  • Roberta Davis Memorial Scholarship for an outstanding student in Social Studies – Makensie Dutton, Jamie Mestanza
  • Greenwich Democratic Town Committee Scholarship in Memory of DTC Chairman David Roberson – Arjun Ahuja
  • The Beatrice Eldridge Foundation Scholarship – Mia Costanzo
  • The Greenwich High School PTA Scholarships –  Brandon Alday, Jack Barter, Madison Bloomfeld,   Katherine Castellanos, Saralexi Chacon, Robert Clark, Julia Conti, Andrey Cuellar, Sarah Dunn, Makenzie Dutton, Akane Edwards, Jake Herman, Jade Hoyen, Madison Jayes, Bethany Johnson, Rintaro Komatsu, Justin Krumlauf, Gracyn Lombardi, Jamie Mestanza, Sara Molina, Jozlyn Paredes, Philip Raviele, Aiesha Reyes, Efrain Reyes, Taylor Ruiz, Michael Tassone, Jr and Daysi Tenesaca
  • John Gilder Memorial Scholarship – Chloe Goldstein
  • Vin Giuliani Scholarship for Graphic Arts – Simone Alston
  • Global Organization for People of Indian Origin, Connecticut Chapter Scholarship –   Arjun Ahuja
  • Greenwich Organization of School Administrators Scholarship –  Jasmine Coloma
  • Michael Jon Greenberg Memorial Scholarship –  Akira Dunham
  • Greenwich Dental Society – Larry Sacramento
  • Greenwich Exchange for Women’s Work – Sara Molina
  • Friends of Greenwich Point in honor of Mary Raymond – Jacqueline O’Malley
  • The Beatrice Eldridge Foundation Scholarship –  Shauntel Hylton, Nikita White
  • Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation Scholarship – Sidney Byrne
  • Greenwich Firefighters Association Local 1042 Scholarships – Stephen Banks, Emily Bozzuto, Kaia Butler, Nicolette Capalbo, Kyle Caruso
  • Linda & Steven B. Fox Family Scholarship – Mateo Leon
  • Grayson Garb Memorial Scholarship – Catharina Gentelini-Bonfim
  • Garden Club of Old Greenwich Scholarship – Jennifer Rezende
  • The Greenwich Basketball Association in Memory of Tod Clonan and Bob Haugen – Arjun Ahuja, James Conti, Marc DeMartis and Ethan Pasquali
45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

  • The Greenwich High School Class Scholarship – Shaela O’Dell
  • Greenwich Reform Synagogue Award –  Samuel Ryb
  • The Charlton Fund of the Greenwich Scholarship Association – Andrea Arce, Toni Cardini, Brandon Conway, Robert Migliorino, Leonard Vargas
  • The Lyman-Reynolds Fund of the Greenwich Scholarship Association – Jean-Paul Ardaji, Mathias Arnao, Aaron Calvar, Enmanuel Mena, James Romero and Jeffrey Wan
  • Hallenborg Memorial Scholarship – Michael Tassone, Jr.
  • Christopher T. Harris, Jr. Memorial Scholarships –  Jenna Conti
  • Idella Stuart Hempstead Trust – Stephanie Achoa, Eden Kaufman, Mark Magda and Armisa Vasi
  • Dr. William & Mrs. Eduvina Hennigar Memorial Scholarship – Gabriella Bravo
  • The Hertzig Family Scholarship – Kevin Agudelo, Truman Imbo, Camden Merritt
  • Linda Hoenig Memorial Scholarships – Madison Bloomfield,Cristian Cano, Jasmine Coloma, Marc DeMartis, Kelsey Ganim, Jacob Hernandez
  • The Hopetown Scholarship Fund – James Conti
  • Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship – Sarah Dunn, Akane Edwards, Naureen Kurji, and Lourdes Leguiza
  • Greenwich Housing Authority Scholarships – Simone Alston, Katherine Castellanos, Jayla Faison, Jacob Hernandez, Shauntel Hylton, Joshua Ramkisson, Efrain Reyes, Dana Wadsworth and Nikita White
  • Diane M. Intrieri Memorial Scholarshi for the Visual & Graphic Arts –  Simone Alston, Andrey Cuellar
  • Ivey, Barnum & O’Mara, LLC Scholarship – Emma Lawson
  • Greenwich Jaycee Charitable Trust Fund Awards  – Jasmin Palacios
  • Charles W. Jensen, III, D.M.D. Memorial Scholarship –  Larry Sacramento
  • Jewish Family Services – Rogath Scholarship Fund –  Blake Guerrieri, Samuel Ryb, Jennifer Steinberg
  • Kathleen Keene Memorial Scholarship – Emma Schaale
  • Camilla Kelley Memorial Scholarship – Aiesha Reyes
  • Allan Kitchel, Jr. Memorial Fund Scholarships –Fiorella Beccaglia, Truman Imbo and Jennifer Rezende
  • Kiwanis Keogh Scholarship – Mateo Leon
  • The Greenwich Lions Club – Taylor Ruiz
45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

45th Annual Greenwich Scholarship Association evening at Greenwich High School, June 8, 2017 Photo Leslie Yager

  • Brian Thomas Macken Memorial Scholarship –  Alexander Nanai
  • Charlotte and Raymond Marshall Scholarships – Madison Clifford, Katharine Day, Trevor Disbennett, Sophia Ferraro, Truman Imbo, Madison Jayes, Justin Krumlauf
  • The Allyson S. Mascali Memorial Award – Joshua Ramkisson
  • Elizabeth Matthews Memorial Scholarships  – Esther Borba, Gabriella Bravo, Saralexi Chacon, Julia Conti, Amanda Da Cunha, Sophia Ferraro, Jade Hoyen, Jozlyn Paredes and Taylor Ruiz
  • George Barradas Glenville Maverick Memorial Award –  Emily Bozzuto
  • Ann and Nancy Michaud Memorial Scholarship – Shauntel Hylton
  • Martha Moxley Memorial Scholarship – Francesca Polistina
  • Greenwich Multiple Listin Scholarship  – Robert Clark
  • Margaret Murphy Memorial Scholarship – Mia Costanzo
  • Wataru John Narita Memorial Scholarship – Katharine Day
  • Joseph & Marie Nemec Scholarship Fund  – Miguel Orellana
  • The O’Neill Scholarship  – Emilio Garcia
  • Greenwich Old Timers athletic Association Scholarships – Jayla Faison, Alexander Nanai, Nicholas Pignataro, Stephen Banks
  • Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Scholarship – Alejandro MacLean
  • Osgood Lichty Scholarship Fund – Lucie Turkel
  • The John Desmond Ott Memorial Scholarship –  Emilio Garcia
  • Countess Frances Thorley Palen-Klar Scholarships – Fiorella Beccaglia, Sophia Daoud, Katharine Day, Francesca Polistina, Samuel Ryb and Lucie Turkel
  • The Joseph Piro, Jr Memorial Scholarships of the Greenwich Old timers Association – Daniel Fontes, Alexander Nanai
  •  The PTA Council Scholarships – Jennifer Alogna, Truman Imbo, Alexander Nanai, Kevin Agudelo, Andrea Arce, Jean-Paul Ardaji, Stephen Banks, Fiorella Beccaglia, Lizeth Bermeo Garcia, Erika Bloes, Sidney Byrne, Jasmine Coloma, Jenna Conti, Amanda Da Cunha, Sophia Daoud, Katharine Day, Trevor Disbennett, Catharina Gentelini-Bonfim, Jordan Harris, Jacob Hernandez, Liliana Kilkenny, Alejandro MacLean, Brian Merida, Robert Migliorino, Christian Novakowski, Shaela O’Dell, Miguel Orellana, Francesca Polistina, Samuel Ryb, Emma Schaale, Amanda Silva, Jakub Szwakob, Lucie Turkel, Leonard Vargas, Dana Wadsworth
  • Robert S. Curtis Memorial Scholarship of the Greenwich Association of Realtors – Emma Schaale
  • American Red Cross Scholarships in memory of Dwight H. Renfrew III and John E. Schmeltzer IV – Fiorella Beccaglia, Sarah Dunn and Emma Schaale
  • Red Men’s Home Association of Greenwich, CT Inc Awards – Gabriella Bravo, Olivia Fakundiny, Julia Moch and Alexander Nanai
  • Kelly Romaniello Memorial Award – Camden Merritt
  • Greenwich Rotary Club Scholarships – Akane Edwards, Olivia Fakundiny, Julia Moch
  • Rudy’s Limousine – Dominic Conetta Memorial Scholarships – Nicolette Capalbo, Julia Conti, Jenna Conti, James Conti, Antonio DiLorenzo, Blake Guerrieri, Jake Herman, Gracyn Lombardi, Margaret Montague, Christian Novakowski, Philip Raviele and Jessica Rosabella
  • Second Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship Scholarship – Kylie-Jean Fahan
  • The John G. Vrabec Shadow Foundation Scholarships –  Brandon Alday, Lizeth Bermeo Garcia, Jasmine Coloma, Mia Costanzo, Jozlyn Paredes, Larry Sacramento
  • The Silver Shield Law Enforcement Scholarship – Dylan Ehret
  • Becky Stone Memorial Scholarship – Mateo Leon
  • Sunny Hill Children’s Center Scholarship –  Joshua Ramkisson
  • David Theis Memorial Scholarship  – Alexander Nanai
  • Trend Maker Capital LP Scholarship – Bastian Dequeker, Jamie Mestanza, Jordan Harris, Amanda Silva, Camille Sweeney
  • Caryn U. Jacoby Christian J.A. Urciuoli Scholarship Fund – Tien Durst
  • Bruno Vaccarezza Memorial Scholarship –  Efrain Reyes
  • The Velaj Foundation Scholarship –  Bethany Johnson
  • Dr. John C. Wilsey Memorial Scholarship – Liliana Kilkenny
  • Greenwich Woman’s Club Scholarships – Jenna Conti, Mia Costanzo, Gaia Fakhoury, Bethany Johnson, Q Lasley and Mateo Leon
  • The Matthew Yee Scholarship Fund –  Katharine Day
  • The Michelle Yee Scholarship – Liliana Kilkenny
  • John Zumbo Memorial Scholarships –  Mia Costanzo, Larry Sacramento, akub Szwakob
  • Greenwich Scholarship Association Awards: Brandon Alday, Jean-Paul Ardaji, Stephen Banks, Sidney Byrne, Alexander Nanai, Robert Clark, Kaia Butler, Toni Cardini, Kyle Caruso, Jenna Conti, Brandon Conway, Bastian Dequeker, Ethan Pasquali, Jennifer Steinberg, Camille Sweeney, Daysi Tenesaca, Mathias Arnao, Sophia Ferraro, Alejandro MacLean, Brian Merida, Jeffrey Wan, Dayanara Alvarado, Madison Bloomfeld, Safir Scott, Michael Tassone, Jr, Jasmine Coloma, Justin Krumlauf,  Gracyn Lombardi,  Enmanuel Mena, Sara Molina, Andrea Arce, Aaron Calvar, Trevor Disbennett, Liliana Kilkenny, Robert Migliorino, James Romero, Andrey Cuellar, Jake Herman, Philip Raviele, Aiesha Reyes, Efrain Reyes, Jack Barter, Jordan Harris, Jacob Hernandez, Leonard Vargas, Jozlyn Paredes, Dana Wadsworth, Catharina Gentelini-Bonfim, Jakub Szwakob, Makenzie Dutton, Shaela O’Dell, Kevin Agudelo, Q Lasley, Fiorella Beccaglia, Amanda Da Cunha, Amanda Silva,  Sarah Dunn, Eden Kaufman, Jamie Mestanza, Lizeth Bermeo Garcia, Francesca Polistina, Erika Bloes, Samuel Ryb, Saralexi Chacon, Sophia Daoud, Jade Hoyen and Lucie Turkel

See also: Two AVID Students at GHS Describe How an Extra Push Makes all the Difference


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