Chloe Melillo of Killingworth, a graduate of the Sound School who will attend The University of Rhode Island in the fall to study aquaculture and fisheries technology, was the recipient of the second annual Alison Varian Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship honors the legacy of Alison Varian, who lost a courageous six-year battle with cancer on April 28, 2017. The scholarship memorializes Varian’s many contributions to aquaculture, boating safety, fishing, fisheries and the ecology of Long Island Sound. Varian was an avid boater and fisherman who contributed to her community in many ways. Over the years, she diligently served as chair of the Town of Guilford Shellfish and Harbor Management Commissions, treasurer of the Guilford Marina Commission, a certified U.S. Coast Guard vessel examiner, and commander of the Power Squadron, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving maritime safety and enjoyment through education.

In her essay as part of her application for the scholarship, Melillo states, “I have had a passion for marine life and the environment for the majority of my life. Being able to study aquaculture in college, never mind high school, has been a dream for me. I am so happy that I have the chance to further my knowledge in aquaculture and deepen experiences in fisheries management at The University of Rhode Island. I will use my education to not only pursue a career in the aquaculture field but also pay tribute to the legacy of Alison Varian”.

The second annual Alison Varian Memorial Fund fundraiser will be held at the Guilford Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 7 from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets, $30, are available at Page Hardware, Bishop’s Orchards, Captain Morgan Bait & Tackle, Dee’s Bait & Tackle, River’s End Bait & Tackle, and on Eventbrite. Donations to the fund can also be sent to The Guilford Foundation at P.O. Box 35, Guilford, CT 06437 or online at www.guilfordfoundation.org; note the gift is for the “Alison Varian Memorial Fund.” For more information, call Guilford Foundation Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra at 203-640-4049.