Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich’s Scholarship Committee recently reviewed applications from 52 Club members, then met with each applicant to learn about the individuals’ dedication to higher education, involvement with the Club, and future aspirations.
For the group of high school seniors and college students, good grades, commitment to character development, volunteerism, and community leadership, has led to a combined reward of $353,000 in scholarship funds, made possible through BGCG’s Scholarship endowment.
Sally Lawrence, a longtime Club Board member, who has co-chaired the club’s Scholarship Committee for ten years, said the awards are given to Club kids planning to pursue higher education in college or a vocational school.
“Getting to know our older Club members and assisting them as they head off to post-secondary school schools has been the most rewarding experience I have had as a Board member,” Lawrence said. “The students we award funds to are inspirational and deserving. They make our Club proud today, and will continue to do so in the future.”
Echoing his fellow Board and committee co-chair, Chris Winham said, “Every year, we hear life stories that are so interesting and inspiring, with a common connection to the Club, and a desire to give back to the community being the common thread. The very fact that so many Club kids choose to pursue a college education is such a positive reflection on our Cub and the environment it fosters. Watching our scholarship recipients pursue careers in law, social work, finance, and medicine is so rewarding. Personally, they have taught me to never underestimate a Club kid.”
Three Club alumni received the prestigious Torch Award, which is given to rising college seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who represent the Club’s values: Brian Ceballos, who will graduate from Southern Connecticut State University next year with a degree in Psychology; Max Pisacreta, who will graduate from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Finance; and Sabrina Romaro, who will graduate from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Economics. All three students were awarded a $10,000 scholarship.
Special awards were given to Iona College senior, Pablo Vera, who received the Adalbert von Gontard Scholarship.
Carlos Flores, a rising senior at Penn State University received the Rebecca S. Breed Scholarship.
Both scholarships are named in honor of two founders of the Club’s scholarship program who left a bequest for this purpose.
BGCG is thrilled to recognize the accomplishments of all of our scholarship recipients.