Press Release from The Guilford Foundation

The Guilford Foundation (TGF) recently awarded scholarships totaling $57,875 to 24 Guilford High School and two Sound School (New Haven) seniors to help with their college expenses. The awards for the graduates range from $500 to $5,000 and are sourced from named charitable funds established with TGF.

TGF collaborates with the administration of both schools to manage the process. The scholarship funds typically specify areas of study such as marine science, healthcare, dentistry, liberal arts, teaching, foreign service, and industrial arts, to name a few.

Additionally, some funds are created specifically for students attending community or vocational colleges.

“Most of our scholarship funds are established in memory of a loved one. It’s a wonderful way to honor and preserve the person’s legacy while helping the next generation,” explained TGF Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “It’s gratifying that we can connect generous donors with remarkable students looking to continue their personal development through post-secondary education. It’s truly a win-win for all.”

Guilford High School Scholarship Awards

• Al and Gene Bishop Fund for Vocational and Industrial Arts Scholarship: Weston Thomas

• B. Joan and Dennis F. Hickey Scholarship: Madison Nye

• Barbara Nugent Scholarship Fund: Katherine Rozear

• Carl A. Balestracci Jr. Humanitarian Scholarship: Rubi Espejo

• Carl A. Balestracci Jr. Humanitarian Scholarship: Lucas Espinosa

• Elisabeth Adams Scholarship: Nora Amer

• Elisabeth Adams Scholarship: Robert Trotter IV

• Elizabeth M. “Lizzie” Schwanfelder Scholarship: Sadie Huffman

• GSB Charitable Fund Scholarships: Giana Meneo

• GSB Charitable Fund Scholarships: Cole Vashel

• Jake Penman Memorial Scholarship: Ava Lepro

• James P. Scialabba Scholarship Fund: Zachery Neiss

• Karen and Terry Bergantino Education Scholarship Fund: Tyler Yerkes

• Kyle E. Smith Memorial Scholarship: Simone Landry- McWilliams

• Maureen Cyr Caruso Scholarship Fund: Maeve Rader

• Ralph Schipani Memorial Scholarship: Luke Carignan

• Ralph Schipani Memorial Scholarship: Rylan Jacobson

• Richard W. Brooks Memorial Fund: Tyler Newman

• Stephen Looney Scholarship: Justin Hess

• Stephen Looney Scholarship: Arianna Tomassi

• Stuart D. Burt Scholarship: Brendan Skoglund

• The Jaffe Scholarship Fund: Taylor Smith

• The Richard Hersch and Judith Meyers Memorial Scholarship: Kyle Chen

• The Richard Hersch and Judith Meyers Memorial Scholarship: Hailey Hutchinson

The Sound School Scholarship Awards

• Alison Varian Memorial Scholarship Fund: Ruby Blustajn

• Alison Varian Memorial Scholarship Fund: Maryorie Hernandez

The Guilford Foundation is a trusted philanthropic partner established in 1975 when five friends organized an effort to beautify the area around the town green. To ensure the perpetuity of their vision, the founders established a source for long-term funding. Over the past four decades, this endowment has expanded in scope and impact and now exceeds $6 million, awarding over $2.2 million in grants and scholarships.

Contact Information: The Guilford Foundation Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director, 203-640-4049 lpetra@guilfordfoundation.org P.O. Box 35, 44 Boston Street Guilford, CT 06437 (203)-640-4049 guilfordfoundation.org.