Since her childhood, Winifer Rosario has dreamed of becoming a doctor—a career choice that combines her passions of learning and helping people—and she has worked diligently toward that dream. In high school, she took honors and advanced placement courses in math and science to help prepare her for college and her career choice. Winifer attended Hartford Public High School’s Law and Government Academy, where she was a model student who excelled academically and participated in many extracurricular activities. Her high school teacher noted, “Winifer is an incredibly diligent student with a wonderful work ethic … a leader in her classes and community.” Winifer’s diligence was rewarded in 2013 when she received a scholarship from the Hartford Foundation.
This past May, Winifer graduated from Providence College with a bachelor of science degree in biology. Weeks later, she returned to Hartford to address attendees at the Hartford Foundation’s 13th annual Scholarship Recipient Reception. She spoke candidly about her college experience and shared words of wisdom with this year’s student recipients.
Winifer acknowledged that her road to success was not an easy one; it took perseverance and determination. She passed her first year receiving all As and Bs, but sophomore year proved to be more challenging. After receiving a D+ in her Organic Chemistry I course, Winifer was disappointed, but not discouraged, “Although it hurt to receive such a low grade, I was determined to do better. I was ready to try harder,” she noted.
Having a four-year scholarship from the Hartford Foundation helped alleviate Winifer’s fear of not having enough funds to continue learning and allowed her to focus on what was important: her education. She shared, “In my second semester of sophomore year, I redeemed myself and received a B in Organic Chemistry II. This served as a valuable learning experience: it is always possible to do more, and go beyond your limits. This challenging incident gave me the push that I needed to pursue my interests. I was determined to make the best out of my college years, and after sophomore year, I got involved in all that I could.”
Winifer participated in a variety of extracurricular activities that enriched her undergraduate experience. She volunteered as a translator for Spanish-speaking families at a local high school, working closely with students, parents, and administrators. On campus, she joined PCTV, the college’s student-operated television production organization; Bio Society, a club for biology majors; and joined a research lab. “These experiences helped shape who I want to be and have given me a clearer picture of what I want to continue doing. Without this scholarship, I would not have had the time to be involved in my campus and in the community while maintaining a healthy, yet challenging, course load,” she said.
Prior to entering her junior year, Winifer attended the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program at Yale Medical School. The intensive six-week program was designed to provide exposure to science, clinical medicine, and career counseling for motivated college students and graduates who want to attend medical school. Winifer says participating in the program helped solidify her interest in medicine and gave her the clarity that she needed to move forward and encouraged her to keep chasing her dreams.
This summer, Winifer continued her lab research at Providence College, and has since returned to Connecticut to pursue postgraduate opportunities. She plans to enroll in a biomedical program while studying for the MCAT® exam for entrance into medical school. Winifer clearly has the drive to make her dream of becoming a doctor a reality, and she serves as a wonderful example of the power of perseverance.
Generosity has played a significant role in shaping Carly Peruccio’s adulthood. Throughout her four years at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, Carly was on the receiving end of incredible generosity, which she describes as a gift; it is a gift that she has chosen to “pay forward” in a myriad of ways.
Carly, a graduate of Manchester High School, is a 2012 Hartford Foundation scholarship recipient. The generosity of donors who contributed to her Hartford Foundation scholarship helped make Bates a financially feasible option for Carly and her family. Once on the college campus, she encountered even more generosity—from professors and friends who were eager to share their wisdom and talents with her. She also received generous grants from the college that helped to enhance and enrich her classroom learning.
One of the most meaningful acts of generosity Carly experienced occurred in the summer after her freshman year, when she followed up on an announcement from a professor and received an opportunity to assist with classes for immigrants at Lewiston’s Adult Learning Center. Helping with English classes there became the highlight of her summer.
Because of this experience, Carly was inspired to co-found Experience Exchange in her sophomore year. This was a pilot project to promote relationships between Bates students and asylum-seeking members of the Lewiston community. Experience Exchange was designed to encourage cross- cultural understanding, and offered participants the opportunity to exchange English and French lessons, share cultural dishes and engage in meaningful conversations.
Carly continued her work with the Adult Learning Center and eventually began leading her own conversations groups there. After her second year at Bates, Carly received a scholarship to teach English as a second language at the center during her summer break. She taught immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees from more than ten countries, and her work there encouraged post-graduation plans.
During her time at Bates, Carly majored in anthropology and minored in French and Francophone studies. As a participant in her college’s Migration and Transnational Identity program, she conducted an independent research project studying the role of female mountain guides in a male- dominated industry, and was awarded additional funding from Bates to perform enhanced research overseas. During the summer of 2015, she spent nine weeks living in Marrakech and Imlil, Morocco. Carly performed fieldwork involving participant observation by hiking in Morocco’s High Atlas mountain ranges, and conducted interviews with guides, professors and others in the hiking industry. She was able to further develop her French language skills, and her studies both complemented and enriched her academic interests.
This past June—just four days after graduating from Bates College—Carly addressed the Hartford Foundation’s 2016-17 scholarship awardees at the 12th annual Scholarship Recipient Reception, held at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. She offered fresh reflections of a college graduate, speaking about the value of her Foundation scholarship and offering advice to the new recipients. She shared, “I’ve learned from my own time as a college student that one of the best ways to show thanks for that which you cannot fully repay is to be proud of your work, whatever form it takes.”
Carly has a lot to be proud of, and she credits Bates with helping her transform into a more conscious citizen, student and individual. This academic year, Carly will participate in programming at a refugee center and teach English to refugee students at a high school in Luxembourg City under a Fulbright fellowship.
Watch Carly Peruccio speak at our 2016 Scholarship Recipient Reception
Attending college was always a priority for Shantel Honeyghan, who moved to the United States from Jamaica in 2001. “I knew that this was my opportunity to make something of myself and to excel as an academic scholar,” she says. So far, Shantel has done just that.
Shantel was a model student at Bulkeley High School in Hartford. Her high school history teacher described Shantel as “an exceptionally responsible, mature, passionate and industrious student who is driven by a deep, intrinsic desire to excel” and noted her “strong and enduring commitment to social justice and serving her community.”
That commitment was evident throughout her years of undergraduate study at the University of Connecticut. Shantel takes pride in her involvement with on-campus activities, which reflected her interests and career aspirations.
She served as a tutor and counselor for the Upward Bound program, where she co-taught lessons and workshops on college acceptance and supervised students in dormitories and on college visits. Shantel was a teaching assistant for the African American Cultural Center. Her extracurricular activities led her to her passion of serving as a resource and mentor for underrepresented college students.
Shantel even took the initiative to start a new organization on campus. After noticing a lack of diversity among students entering pre-teaching and education programs, she co-founded Leadership in Diversity, a mentoring program that helps maintain and encourage confidence and success in minority students as they pursue careers in the fields of elementary, secondary and higher education.
In June, Shantel addressed the Hartford Foundation’s 2015-16 scholarship awardees at the 11th annual Scholarship Recipient Reception, held at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. Shantel spoke about the value of her Foundation scholarship and provided words of encouragement to the new recipients.
“The scholarship was huge for me,” Shantel said. “I didn’t want to cheat myself out of a good education because I didn’t have the money, but I didn’t want to come out of college with a ridiculous amount of debt either. Even with the large increase in tuition at UConn while I was attending, I knew my Hartford Foundation scholarship would be in my account, and that gave me tremendous peace of mind. It also gave me an extra push to make it through.”
This past May, Shantel graduated from UConn with two degrees — in English and human development and family studies. She is currently enrolled in a graduate program at Florida State University, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs. Her ultimate goal is to be able to serve as a resource for students of color in regards to postsecondary academic access and retention.
“I find it extremely rewarding not only improving myself, but others as well. I don’t want to change the world. I want to change the lives of a few people in hopes that they will go on to help others in the same way I helped them.”
Watch Shantel Honeyghan speak at our 2015 Scholarship Recipient Reception
Watch Shantel perform an original poem, "ABC"
2014
“I always had the mindset that I was going to college, but receiving this award assured me that I was actually going to be successful in college, which is a major difference,” says Theus McBee, a 2012 Hartford Foundation scholarship recipient.
So far, Theus has been very successful.
A graduate of Classical Magnet School in Hartford, Theus is now beginning his junior year at the University of Connecticut, where he has been accepted into the Neag School of Education as a Sport Management major.
His high school counselor said, “[Theus] possesses an unwavering sense of purpose and has consistently demonstrated gravitas in all academic endeavors... He has distinguished himself as a leader amongst his peers and in the larger school community.” Theus has carried that same drive into his college career.
At UConn, Theus is involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including serving as president of the university’s Sport Business Association, an organization designed for students with an interest in the business aspect of sports. In addition to organizing trips to athletic events, the Association brings in speakers to talk about their careers and offer advice.
Theus aspires to become head coach for a college basketball program, and is already taking steps to realize that goal. He is a manager for the renowned UConn men’s basketball team, and has spent the last two summers coaching middle school-aged children at camps with UConn coaches and players. This summer, Theus also worked as an operations assistant at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.
In June, Theus addressed the Hartford Foundation’s 2014-15 scholarship awardees at the 10th annual Scholarship Recipient Reception, held at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.
He shared his collegiate experiences and talked about the importance of relationship building, urging this year’s recipients to take advantage of the opportunity to meet and network with a diverse group of individuals on their respective college campuses.
Theus had a chance to meet two of his Hartford Foundation scholarship donors, Kerry and Janice Foster, when he was honored in 2012, and the three reconnected at this year’s reception.
“The Fosters are a couple that I am so thankful to have met; not just as donors, but as human beings,” says Theus. “The more I told them about how well I was doing in school, the harder they smiled—my success and happiness brought joy to them. They inspire me to not just achieve greatness for myself, but to help others along the way as well.”
“There are plenty of people who need assistance,” he says, “but if I can just help one person at a time, then I'm doing a good job.”
Watch Theus share his story at our 2014 Scholarship Reception:
2013
Rebecca Liebman wants to “make the world a better place,” and she has put in numerous hours of volunteerism working toward that goal — demonstrating her commitment to both the local and global communities. As one Hartford Foundation Scholarship Committee volunteer stated, “Rebecca wants to change the world with her projects … and she already has.”
Rebecca has traveled to New Orleans to help with a post-Hurricane Katrina clean-up. She has been to Kissimmee, Florida, to visit the Give Kids the World Village, which hosts terminally-ill children who wish to go to Disney World. In 2012, Rebecca traveled to Africa where she spent the summer living in Kenya. There, she worked with local residents to start a business that broadens access to books and school supplies for community members.
For the past eight years, Rebecca and her family have served food to the homeless in Manchester on Thanksgiving Day. She has also been to shelters in Hartford where she “saw the needy of our community — only 20 minutes away.”
Of her experiences, Rebecca says, “In all of these situations, I’ve talked to people, heard their stories and felt their pain; but I’ve seen the smiles and felt the joy with the people I’ve helped, and that’s the best gift you can give yourself. Every time I volunteer, I get a new perspective, an appreciation for life, and a magnetism that makes me want to volunteer again.”
In June, Rebecca addressed Hartford Foundation’s 2013-14 scholarship awardees at the 9th annual Scholarship Recipient Reception, held at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. She encouraged the recipients to also “look at life with a different perspective.” “When you do community service, you live your life a different way from everyone else. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has made it possible for me to have many of these experiences by subsidizing the cost of my college tuition so I could have the resources to expand my learning to outside of the classroom.”
Rebecca’s resolve to make the world a better place extends beyond her compassion for others. She is equally passionate about sustaining our environment. While at South Windsor High School, she founded and served as president of the Environmental Club, educating students and town residents on how to lead “green” lifestyles.
Rebecca decided to attend Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, an institution known for its excellence in the field of environmental science. Now in her junior year, she is studying the environment, international development and entrepreneurship, but the rigorous demands of college life have not thwarted her endeavors to lead environmental efforts. Rebecca is involved in several sustainable initiatives on campus to help students live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. During her sophomore year, she worked tirelessly to bring new options for water to campus so people would not have to use plastic water bottles, which create waste and contain chemicals that can negatively affect the body. She is also working with the university’s offices of Sustainability and Residential Life to improve sustainability in campus housing.
Rebecca is a great example of a Hartford Foundation scholarship recipient.
2012
Entering college in 2008, Alison Marinelli faced more than the typical challenges that are common among first-year students. Alison was born with profound hearing loss.
“Meeting new people seemed to require an explanation of my deafness before really getting to know them,” she says. “Loud places like the dining halls and parties were difficult for me to navigate sometimes because I couldn’t hear well.”
Once classes started, Alison had to meet with professors, explain her condition, and ask for special accommodations such as using microphones in classes. While the hearing impairment has caused some unique challenges, Alison acknowledges that deafness has provided many experiences that have enriched her life.
Alison received her first cochlear implant at age four and says, “I have made a hearing life for myself with these implants.” She developed listening skills that she needed to function at a societal level, and has become an advocate for the hearing-impaired.
As a teenager, Alison gave several presentations to educators and parents in the region on topics such as educating professionals about support services and the advantages and disadvantages of audio enhancement in the classroom.
Alison’s family always stressed the importance of education. She credits her parents and teachers with helping her to develop and hone skills that she would need in order to excel at a higher academic level.
During her senior year at South Windsor High School, Alison was awarded two Hartford Foundation scholarships and became the first in her family to attend a four-year institution. She enrolled at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Prior to entering college, Alison envisioned becoming a teacher of the deaf or a speech and language pathologist. However, while studying at Assumption, she realized her true passion.
“Because of the assistance of the Hartford Foundation, I attended a school that helped me decide that the way I’m going to best serve my community around me is to be an audiologist.”
Alison decided to major in human services and social rehabilitation studies, with a concentration in communication sciences and disorders.
Through the college honors program, Alison wrote and defended her senior thesis on noise-induced hearing loss. She conducted research, designed a survey, ran her experiment, taught a class and, finally, published her work. “It was a project that I was so intensely invested in and I enjoyed so much. All that work absolutely confirmed my commitment to audiology.”
Alison graduated from Assumption College in May. On June 6, she shared her college experiences during the Hartford Foundation’s eighth-annual Scholarship Recipient Reception held at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford for the 2012-13 recipients.
Alison will now enter the University of Connecticut as a graduate student to further her studies in audiology.
Alison’s advice for new college students:
“College is there to help shape you, so you can go forward and shape the world. It’s a time to figure out who you are, and prepare for a career that suits your interests. Go forth to your futures and find what you are so excited about, and figure out a way to help others with it.”
2011
Nicholas and Miranda Criscitelli have a lot in common – same age (24), same hometown (Enfield), same high school (Enrico Fermi), same impressive record of academic/athletic/extracurricular activities, and the same high-energy work ethic.
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Miranda and Nicholas Criscitelli |
And one more thing: In 2004, they were the only students from Enrico Fermi to be awarded college scholarships by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Both praise their supportive families, but “neither of our families were able to help us financially pay for college,” said Miranda. “If we didn’t get scholarships, we weren’t going to be able to go to college, at least not right away.”
“A list of scholarships in the guidance office was updated once a week and we’d go down there to see if there was anything new we could apply for,” said Nick.
“We both applied to the Hartford Foundation and we were lucky enough to get interviews on the same day,” said Miranda. “A month or two later we learned we had both received a scholarship so we were able to go to the colleges of our choice.”
Nick graduated from Westfield State College in Massachusetts in 2008 and works in the law and compliance division for the MassMutual Financial Group in Springfield.
Miranda graduated the same year from Bay Path College, also in Massachusetts, and is an elementary school teacher in Holyoke.
Nick and Miranda, who still live in Enfield, were dating at the time they were awarded the scholarships and like to joke that the scholarships helped cement their relationship.
With the aid of the scholarships –and the two full-time jobs they worked – they were able to graduate debt-free.
Now they’re showing appreciation for the help they received.
“We want to give back and right now this is how we are able to do that,” said Nick.
He serves on the Scholarship Interview Committee at the Hartford Foundation and both appeared on a panel exploring the college experience during the seventh annual Scholarship Recipient Reception held June 9 at Saint Joseph College in West Hartford for the 2011-12 winners.
“At this point in our lives we certainly are not able to provide our own scholarship fund or contribute to the Hartford Foundation endowment, but we want to do what we can,” said Miranda.
Serving on the panel at the reception for new scholarship recipients was “one way that we could give back,” said Nick. “I think for those entering college to hear the challenges of going to college, and all that it entails, from someone who is not so far removed from it, is definitely a big help.”
When interviewing prospective scholarship recipients, Nick not only examines grades and financial need but looks for a student “who understands what he or she wants in life and is going to benefit from college.”
Any advice for new college students?
From Miranda:
“We both set really high goals for ourselves in college and in high school. Even if we were not able to achieve them, at least they were there. What’s the worst thing that can happen? You don’t meet the goal and you make a new goal for yourself. If you don’t set high enough goals, you’ll never know what you can do.”
From Nick:
“Take full advantage of all that’s offered. Someone at the last scholarship reception said college is the only time in your life when everyone is focused on you. It’s your experience. You’re paying for it either by funds you earned or funds you have been given from an organization like the Hartford Foundation. Don’t let the experience go to waste.”
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| Toni Smith-Rosario, Senior Assistant State's Attorney and CHBA member, with Walter Menjivar, scholarship recipient. |
2011
The Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) strives to increase the number of Hispanic lawyers practicing in Connecticut by mentoring, educating, and otherwise supporting law students committed to the same goal. The Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association Fund at the Hartford Foundation has awarded scholarships to almost 40 law students, including Walter Menjivar, who is attending University of Connecticut School of Law.
View the video
2010
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| Katie Burns, scholarship recipient, with Tom Mason and Kristen Horrigan, great-grandchildren of Lebbeus Bissell. |
In 1971, Lebbeus F. Bissell established a scholarship fund for residents of the towns of Ellington, Rockville and Vernon. In this video, Mr. Tom Mason, the grandson of Lebbeus F. Bissell, talks with Katie Burns, a scholarship recipient. Katie will begin her junior year at the University of Massachusetts in the fall of 2010, where she is pursuing a career in medicine.
Watch the Video
2009
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| Harry and Mary Meyer, Katie DaCosta and her father, Ray. |
Katie DaCosta, who grew up in Hartford, graduated from Bulkeley High School, played basketball while at Central CT State University, and now coaches soccer at Classical Magnet School in Hartford, and Harry Meyer of Farmington, who with his wife, Mary, created a scholarship fund at the Hartford Foundation, learned recently that they have a lot in common. Katie received a scholarship from the fund to attend Central CT State University. She and Mr. Meyer got to know each other and enjoyed a conversation about education, basketball and women’s role in sports.
View the Video
2009
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| Booker DeVaughn, Hartford Foundation scholarship committee volunteer, Montie Johnson, and Janice and Kerry Foster Sr. |
In May 2006, 15-year-old
KJ Foster was tragically shot outside his home in a case of mistaken identity.
Kerry Foster Sr., a Hartford firefighter and member of the city’s Rescue Unit; his wife, Janice; and their family, friends and community established the KJ Foster Scholarship Fund at the Hartford Foundation. The first recipient is
Montie Johnson, who graduated from Weaver High School and is attending Virginia State University studying pre-med. This video captures Mr. Foster and Montie as they meet for the first time and talk about KJ and how each of them will keep his name and spirit alive.
View the Video
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Jim Brennan |
In 2003, Jim Brennan, a graduate of Conard High School in West Hartford, was thrilled to learn he had been awarded the Douglas J. Myers Scholarship from the Hartford Foundation to study civil engineering at the University of Virginia.
Just two years earlier, Donald and Susan Myers established the scholarship fund in memory of their son, who died at the age of 17 after a courageous battle with cancer. Douglas had completed his junior year at Conard where he was on the varsity lacrosse and wrestling teams. He loved mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and kayaking the lakes of northern Maine. Scholarships from the fund are awarded to graduates of Conard who embody the spirit of Doug.
Although they were only acquaintances, a couple of years apart in school, Jim remembers playing briefly on the lacrosse team with Doug.
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Doug Myers |
"I was so honored to receive the scholarship," said Jim. "Knowing what Doug's family had been through, it meant a lot to me that they would support my education."
Susan Myers wrote a letter to Jim, congratulating him for receiving the award and sent him a memorial card from Doug's funeral. Jim was so touched, he pinned the photo of Doug to his bulletin board and there it stayed until he graduated college.
In December of 2007, Susan Myers was just as touched when she received a letter from Jim and learned that he made a contribution to the fund.
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Susan and Don Myers |
"For me, this is the circle of life," said Susan. "Knowing that the scholarship recipients appreciate the award as more than just financial support, that they understand the award embodies all that Douglas stood for - it gives me a hug."
2007
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| Joseph Guzzardi, Nancy Woodward, Hartford Foundation donor services officer, and Marc Piergrossi |
Dr. Piergrossi was a well-known endodontist in the northeast. He served as president of the Hartford Dental Society and enjoyed many years of interviewing with the University of Connecticut’s admissions committee. To honor his achievements and contributions to the community, Dr. Piergrossi’s family, friends and colleagues established a scholarship fund in his honor in 2000. In 2007, Joseph Guzzardi of East Windsor was proud to receive the scholarship award, which helped pay his tuition at the UConn School of Dental Medicine.
Joe, who used to tag along with his mom to her job at a dentist’s office, has dreamed of being a dentist since fifth grade. He received his bachelor’s degree, with honors, from UConn in May 2007, after graduating eighth in his class from East Catholic High School.
As a member of UConn’s pre-dental society, Joe organized classes to teach proper hygiene to children. He also volunteered more than 600 hours at the Mark Twain House developing and teaching reading and writing programs for Hartford kids.
At the Hartford Foundation’s annual scholarship reception, Joe was pleased to meet Marc Piergrossi, one of Dr. Piergrossi’s children who helped establish the scholarship fund.
“Joe is exactly the kind of student we intended to help with the fund,” said Marc. “It was an honor to meet him and to help him realize his dreams.”
2007
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| Muriz Bucuk |
University of Hartford senior Muriz Bucuk was born in Bosnia and lived there for six and a half years. Due to political unrest, his family moved to Germany in 1992. After eight years in Germany, the family moved to the United States. He began his high school career as an ESOL student at Bulkeley High School in Hartford and by junior year had earned enough credits to graduate. However, he returned for a fourth year where he took all honors courses in preparation for college.
“It was very hard for me to transition from high school to college level work. But, knowing that I was on scholarship, I was motivated to work even harder and achieve much more in college,” said Muriz.
Since beginning at the University of Hartford he has become a member of the Division I soccer program. He has been inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honor society that recognizes business excellence. In addition, he has been on the President’s honor list, earned a scholar athlete award letter and a place on the American East Conference academic honor roll. In addition to all of these accomplishments, Muriz fills his schedule with extra classes and is now eligible to graduate a year and a half early with a degree in business administration.
“The best advice I can give high school students seeking a scholarship would be to start early, strive for excellence in challenging classes and get involved in extra-curricular or volunteer activities.”
Muriz was awarded a substantial scholarship, which is renewable, from the Noble E. & Emma Belknap Lord Memorial Scholarship at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
2006
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| Chantal and Jarrell Costen |
Chantal and Jarrell Costen, lifelong residents of Bloomfield, are an exceptionally bright brother and sister team who are determined to achieve their dreams. They both received scholarships from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to attend college.
Jarrell is finishing his senior year at Hampton University, majoring in finance. At the same time, Chantal is attending Howard University, and is planning a career in medicine.
During high school, Chantal held an apprenticeship with the University of Connecticut, where she conducted medical research and demonstrations. She earned the respect and confidence of her colleagues who were medical, graduate and undergraduate students.
Jarrell, with the help of the Hartford Foundation, will finish his bachelor’s degree in only three and a half years. During this time, he held a 3.3 GPA, played on the golf team, held office on the Pre-Alumni Council, and worked at United Technologies to gain real world experience. Jarrell is determined to wrap up his undergraduate studies early and pursue an MBA from a top tier business school.
“My top three choices for my post-graduate work are Penn State, Stanford and NYU,” said Jarrell. “Once I graduate, I hope to work for United Technologies and eventually become a personal financial advisor.”
2006
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| Andrew Lavana |
University of Connecticut junior Andrew Lavana truly knows the value of hard work and dedication, especially when it comes to his education and helping others.
Andrew graduated from Hartford’s Bulkeley High School in 2003. While there, he served on the student council – one year as president. He was also involved with the ACE Mentoring program, played varsity sports, and participated in the Peace Ambassador Project. All the while, Andrew continued to earn high honors in his studies.
Andrew was awarded a substantial scholarship, which is renewable for each of his four years of college, from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
"The scholarship has helped me tremendously,” said Andrew. “It is such a relief knowing I can afford an education, and won't be burdened with extra loans to pay off after college."
Even though Andrew has been busy with his studies, he still finds time to volunteer with the Special Olympics and helped organize several fund raisers, food and clothes drives for the homeless, and for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“College is giving me the confidence to go into the real world ready for action.”
After graduation, Andrew hopes to continue onto higher education and one day manage his own business.
2006
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| Benjamin with his parents, Bill and Judy Grabowicz, and Susan and Tom Mason. |
Benjamin Grabowicz of Tolland has succeeded beyond all expectations. When he was in elementary school, his parents were told he’d never go to college. He was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder. His brain has difficulty interpreting the words he hears. Today, 15 years later, Benjamin is preparing for a career in elementary and special education, a journey that will start at Rivier College.
“When Benjamin began high school, he could have modified his classes to make it easier for him,” said his mother, Judy. “Instead, he stayed after school 3 to 4 days a week and worked during the summer to keep up with the lessons.”
“Everyone has challenges of some kind,” said Benjamin. “I’m no different than any of my classmates. I don’t deserve any special breaks.”
Not only did Benjamin graduate high school, he was accepted to every college to which he applied. The Hartford Foundation is pleased to play a role in his college education, awarding him a scholarship from the Lebbeus F. Bissell Scholarship Fund.
A lifetime resident of Rockville and active community volunteer, Lebbeus Bissell established a scholarship fund at the Hartford Foundation in 1971. Since then, the fund has provided over $750,000 for college-bound students.
“Ben is exactly the kind of student my grandfather intended to help with this fund,” said Tom Mason, Lebbeus’ grandson who monitors the fund.
As Ben’s mother said, “Ben is an example of what can be accomplished if we all work together for the benefit of a child.”