Derby Public Library congratulates 2026 scholarship winner

Derby Public Library would like to offer a massive congratulations to Genesis Alvarado of Derby, 2026 Winner of Derby Public Library’s High School Scholarship Award. 

She will be attending the University of Connecticut this fall, and we wish her all the best in her studies!

Shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Griffin Hospital in Derby honors volunteers, awards scholarships to 4 students

Griffin Hospital Volunteer Program and Guest Relations Supervisor Kathy Browne, far right, poses with this year’s Griffin Hospital Volunteer Scholarship winners. 

From left, Pairin Sangkachand of the University of Bridgeport, Karlissa Philemy of Derby High School, and Iyanna Eaddy and Ezel Arslan, both of Ansonia High School./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital honored its volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to the hospital at its 2025 Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner held recently at Sage in Derby.

A total of 144 hospital volunteers logged more than 22,590 hours last year while serving as ambassadors, candy stripers, bakers, shuttle drivers, soft touch therapy providers, writers of vital patient stories and many more roles that benefited hospital patients, visitors and staff.

“Tonight's recognition not only highlights the volume of hours selflessly given by volunteers throughout this past year but acknowledges the true value of their work which touches the lives of patients, their families and hospital staff in countless ways,” said Griffin Hospital Volunteer Program and Guest Relations Supervisor Kathy Browne. “Thank you for the heartfelt human interactions you provide each day and for the community spirit you bring to the hospital.”

Student Volunteers Honored

Griffin Hospital Volunteer Services also awarded its annual $1,500 and $1,000 scholarships for high school and college volunteers. 

For more than 50 years, Griffin Hospital has awarded scholarships to community students pursuing advanced education. In order to qualify for these scholarships, the students must have volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital, been in high academic standing, have been accepted into an accredited college or university, demonstrated initiative and perseverance and possess exemplary moral character.

The winners of this year’s $1,500 Hospital Elder Life Program Scholarship is Pairin Sangkachand, of the University of Bridgeport. Ezel Arslan, of Ansonia High School, and Karlissa Philemy, of Derby High School, won the $1,500 Griffin Health Services Corporation Scholarship awards, and Iyanna Eaddy, of Ansonia High School, won the $1,000 Griffin Health Services Corporation Scholarship Award.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Congrats to Derby Public Library scholarship winner on achievement at UNH

 

**Derby Public Library Success Story**

DPL is proud to share the exciting news that our 2024 Annual Scholarship Award recipient, Dahiana Rodriguez-James, is currently thriving at the University of New Haven.

She just completed her first semester at UNH's nationally renowned Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences, earning an impressive 3.78 GPA that qualified her to be on the Dean's List! Dahiana's long-term goal is to work for the F.B.I someday, and she's well on her way!

In her essay last year, Dahiana shared that “Libraries have played a very important role in my life, especially during my transition from Puerto Rico. Through books, I rose above language barriers, engaging myself in stories that expanded my understanding of the world and improved my vocabulary. Beyond better language skills, the Library also fostered a sense of community and belonging.”

She added, “It was within the walls of the Library that I found my voice through literature, gained the confidence to express myself, and cultivated a lifelong passion for reading and learning.”

Congrats to Dahiana on her latest achievement! And special thanks to her mom, Annette, for proudly relaying along her daughter's exciting news and photos.

Congratulations to Dahiana on her impressive achievement at the University of New Haven! Wishing her all the best in her future career.

Congratulations to Seymour student on winning AnSeOx Rotary scholarship

AnSeOx Rotary Treasurer Richard Knoll congratulates the 2024 scholarship winner from Seymour, Devin Cronin, who will be continuing her environmental engineering studies at UCONN this fall. 

While busy with school, Devin still finds time to volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America, the Lymphoma Society, and several clubs around campus, truly embodying Rotary's motto, Service Above Self. 

Congratulations!

This is shared from the AnSeOx Rotary Club Facebook page.

Derby Public Library accepting essays for annual scholarship prize

 

Great Hill UMC in Seymour accepting McKane Scholarship applications

 This is shared from the church's Facebook page.

Seymour Pink opens 2024 T-shirt design contest for students

Our 2024 T-shirt design contest is open now! All Seymour resident middle school, high school, and college age students are eligible to enter.

Visit our website to learn more about the contest and download the entry form.

The winning designer will earn a $1,000 scholarship bursary and your design will go on thousands of 2024 Seymour Pink shirts!

http://www.seymourpink.com/2024-t-shirt-design-contest/

This is shared from Seymour Pink's Facebook page.

Poeta Strong to march in Seymour Christmas Parade this Sunday

 An event by Nina Strong- The Nina Poeta Scholarship Fund and Elizabeth Anderson

We will march to celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the establishment of the fund at the Valley Community Foundation and our community’s continued support! 

Through the generosity of family, friends, and even strangers, some who have now become forever friends, we are are getting close to our goal which will make the fund self-supporting and never-ending!

We would love to have Nina’s friends, supporters and scholarship recipients march with us! We will be tossing candy and Nina bracelets!
Please wear your Nina shirt or pink!!

**We will meet at 12:45 p.m. behind the Community Center/ Congregational Church at the end of the fence, at the corner of 43 Derby Ave. and Pine Street. 

Look for the bunch of pink Nina Strong Forever balloons! 

This is shared from a Facebook event page.

Derby Public Library accepting essays for annual scholarship prize

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now accepting submissions for its Annual Scholarship Prize of $500. 

It is open to all high school seniors living in Derby who are planning to further their education, regardless of where they currently go to school. The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on a submitted essay explaining the role of libraries in the applicant's life. 

The award will be presented by the Library Board of Directors at its April meeting. In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in our Young Adult Department. 

High school seniors may submit their entries to dplreference@biblio.org now through April 1. Good luck!

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Derby Public Library accepting essay submissions for annual scholarship

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now accepting submissions for its Annual Scholarship Prize of $500. 

It is open to all high school seniors living in Derby who are planning to further their education, regardless of where they currently go to school. The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on a submitted essay explaining the role of libraries in the applicant's life. The award will be presented by the Library Board of Directors at its April meeting. 

In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in our Young Adult Department. 

High school seniors may submit their entries to dplreference@biblio.org now through April 1. Good luck!

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Public Library Board of Directors announces scholarship award recipient

Schuyler Cummings

DERBY - The Library Board of Directors has announced the 2021 Scholarship Award recipient is Schuyler "Sky" Cummings.

She will receive her $500 prize award virtually from the Library Board of Directors.

After graduating Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Sky will attend University of Connecticut in Storrs and plans on majoring in English Literature.

In her essay Sky wrote,“The ignorant become educated, the lonely find a friend, and those in the dark turn on the light. This is the kind of power that libraries, books, and authors all hold. A cornerstone to every community, the library, in every essence, is every town’s very own fairy tale.”

We wish Sky many adventures and hope she comes back to visit us.

In addition to the monetary prize, her name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Teen Zone.

For the meeting's Zoom details, please visit https://www.derbyct.gov/meetings

This is shared from the Derby Public Library Facebook page.

Congratulations and best wishes to Sky in her future endeavors!

Derby Board of Education recognizes 7 students

DERBY - At a recent meeting of the Committee of the Whole the Derby Board of Education  recognized seven students.

Isabelle Chevarella, a grade 12 student at Derby High School, has been selected to receive the SCASA Memorial Scholarship. 

This scholarship is given in honor of former Hamden Superintendent Dr. Alida Begina and former East Haven Superintendent Martin DeFelice, Jr. 

The scholarship is awarded to students who intend to major in education and work in K-12 public education, who have demonstrated involvement in the education field, e.g. tutoring, peer advising, or student teacher club, etc., who has demonstrated high academic achievement of a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and is a student of high moral character. 

In Isabelle’s essay to the committee for consideration she references her father as her influencing factor in her decision to pursue education stating, “His passion for teaching and putting his students first has motivated me to follow in his footsteps.” 

Isabelle plans to major in history education.

The Board also recognized six of our students who received the SCASA Student Recognition Award. 

The award is presented to a female and male student at the highest level in each school who exhibit the following criteria: community service and service to others; academic prowess relative to ability; and leadership to the school community. 

The Board recognized Brianne Fernandez, Grade 5, Bradley School; Eduar Barillas, Grade 5, Irving School; Gianna Akter, Grade 8, Derby Middle School; Joseph Izquierdo, Grade 8, Derby Middle School; Destiny Lewis, Grade 12, Derby High School; and Bryce Cotter, Grade 12, Derby High School.

Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr, Superintendent of Schools and President of SCASA aid, “It is always exciting to call out and recognize the incredible attributes of our students and share with the world the great things they are doing every day to be impactful both in school and our community. The scholarship award is especially meaningful because of what it represents; honoring the past contributions of both Dr. Begina and Martin DeFelice, Jr. while supporting future leaders as they embark on the rewarding journey.”

Jim Gildea, Board of Education Chairman said, “The Derby school system is fortunate to have such an amazing group of students. Their accomplishments are special and deserving of recognition. They are the best that the Derby school system has to offer and we are proud of them.”

This is a press release from Derby Public Schools.

Derby Public Library accepting essays for annual scholarship prize

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now accepting submissions for its annual scholarship prize of $500. 

It is open to all high school seniors living in Derby who are planning to further their education, regardless of where they go to school.

The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on an essay explaining the role of libraries in their life. 

The award will be presented by the Library Board of Directors at its April meeting. 

In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Young Adult Department.

High school seniors may submit their entry directly to Nicole Cignoli, Library Director, ncignoli@biblio.org now through April 1.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

Derby Public Library board announces recipient of annual $500 scholarship award

Natalia Wyszkowski

DERBY- The Board of Directors of the Derby Public Library announces the 2020 recipient of its $500 Scholarship Award, given annually to a resident of Derby graduating from a public, private, or parochial high school and accepted to an accredited college or technical school as a full-time student. 
This year’s winner is Natalia Wyszkowski who will be attending Yale University majoring in Anthropology. 
In addition to the monetary prize, her name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Teen Zone. 
Congratulations Natalia! 

Derby Public Library seeks applicants for annual $500 scholarship

DERBY - The Derby Public Library is now accepting submissions for its Annual Scholarship Prize of $500. 
It is open to all high school seniors living in Derby who are planning to further their education, regardless of where they go to school. 
The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on an essay explaining the role of libraries in their life. 
The award will be presented by the Library Board of Directors at its April meeting. In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Young Adult Department.  

High school seniors may submit their entry directly to the Library Director now through April 1.  
For more information, stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St. or call 203-736-1482.


This is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and The New Haven Independent.

33rd annual celebration at Griffin Hospital in Derby honors nurses

Carol Lauer of Naugatuck

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently held its 33rd Annual Nurse Day Celebration to honor its more than 350 staff nurses and present awards to those nurses who provided exceptional care during the year.

Carol Lauer, RN, BSN, of Naugatuck was named a winner of the 2019 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. 

Originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, the Nightingale Award celebrates outstanding nurses and elevates the nursing profession. 
The goals of the Nightingale Award program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level.

Dike Miller of Shelton

Marge Fischer, Clinical Director of the Childbirth Center at Griffin Hospital, right, presented Kristen Richards of Prospect with the Richard Stivala, M.D., Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award.

Heather Kean of Seymour, and Susan Bouton, of Oxford, received Shirley Yale Nursing Scholarship Awards.

Julianna Butler of Derby

Also during the celebration, Dike Miller of Shelton received the Mary Schumacher Nursing Leadership Award, Kristen Richards of Prospect, received The Richard Stivala, M.D., Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award; Heather Kean of Seymour and Susan Bouton of Oxford received Shirley Yale Nursing Scholarship Awards.

Julianna Butler, MST, of Derby, won the Donald Torok Memorial Scholarship.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.


Congratulations to all the awardees!

Griffin Hospital honors volunteers at annual dinner in Seymour

This year’s Griffin Hospital Volunteer Scholarship winners are, from left, Michelle Antony, Amanda Bean, Britney Swanson, Lekeisha Fonseca, and Bonnie Trelease. /Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently honored its volunteers for selflessly giving their time and talents to the hospital in 2018 at its Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at The Inn at Villa Bianca in Seymour.

A total of 328 hospital volunteers logged more than 34,900 hours last year while serving as ambassadors, candy stripers, bakers, shuttle drivers, room service, soft touch therapy providers, writers of vital patient stories and many more roles that benefited hospital patients, visitors, and staff.

“Each volunteer hour represents priceless moments of caring and compassion that make Griffin so special,” said Patrick Charmel, president and CEO of Griffin Hospital. “Whether it is making fresh-baked treats for patients and caregivers who are missing home, providing healing comfort with a soft touch massage, or simply being a cheerful face and a listening ear to someone who feels lonesome or anxious – it is your unconditional kindness that makes Griffin exceptional.” 

Students honored

Griffin Hospital also awarded its annual scholarships of $1,500 and $1,000 to high school volunteers going on to college next school year.

For 50 years, Griffin Hospital has awarded scholarships to community students pursuing advanced education.  
In order to qualify for these scholarships, the students must have volunteered over 100 hours at the hospital, been in high academic standing, have been accepted into an accredited college or university, demonstrated initiative and perseverance and possess exemplary moral character.

This year’s winners are Amanda Bean, of Shelton High, Michelle Antony and Britney Swanson of Masuk High, Bonnie Trelease, of Oxford High, and Lekeisha Fonseca, of Ansonia High.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Congratulations to Ansonia High School senior on national scholarship

To attend Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Ansonia High School senior Kaitlyn Caple

ANSONIA - Kaitlyn Caple, a senior at Ansonia High School, has been selected as a National Honor Society Scholarship semifinalist. 

She is the first AHS student to win this prestigious award, chosen from more than 11,000 applicants this year. 
She will receive a $3,200 scholarship toward higher education.

Kaitlyn, known as “Kait” at AHS, has been President of her class all four years, is Vice President of the National Honor Society, and has been a Student Representative to the Ansonia Board of Education for two years. She is a two-sport athlete, having been a cheerleader for four years and member of the tennis team for four years, serving as captain the past two. She has two part-time jobs. Her community service work is extensive and reaches back more than a decade. 

So, when does this 18-year-old student sleep? Kait laughs and said she fits it in and tries to be very organized in order to juggle her many responsibilities. 

Her smile is infectious as she talks about life at Ansonia High School and her next life - attending The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

“Here at Ansonia High School, it is a nice environment. That’s what I was looking for in a college,” she said. 

Catholic University offers numerous community service activities, and she plans to jump into a few. But what attracted her the most was the university’s staff. “Every teacher at Ansonia High School works to challenge us, because they want the best for us. That’s what I feel I will also get [at Catholic University].”

According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals – which is the parent organization of the National Honor Society – Kait was picked for the scholarship because she exemplifies the four pillars of the National Honor Society: scholarship, service, leadership and character. 
She said she tried to volunteer for the Holy Rosary Italian Festival when she was six years old, but was told she was too young. “The priest told my mother I would have to wait at least until I was seven. So I did.”

What encouraged her to volunteer so much of her time? She said she is the youngest of three and she “just wanted to be like my two brothers. Everything they did, I wanted to do.” And she wanted to do more. 

In addition to volunteering at Holy Rosary Church since she was seven, she has joined numerous clubs at AHS, including founding the Junior State of America Club at AHS as well as serving as the regional Director of Activism. She also is Co-President of the Valley United Way High School Volunteer Council and Youth Leadership group.

It was JSA that led her to serving on the Ansonia Board of Education. Kait said she appeared at a board meeting to ask for permission for the club to go on several field trips. After speaking to the board, she was asked to serve as their first Student Representative. “It has been one of the coolest things I have ever done,” she said. She is now breaking in a new representative, AHS junior Lexi Brinkmann. 

“Kait has always been self-motivated and driven,” says Rachel Sopko, English teacher and National Honor Society adviser. “Kait has an innate desire to help others, and this shows in all that she does. Whenever we need a volunteer for something, Kait is always the first to step up. She has been an outstanding member of our community, and I know that she will do great things at The Catholic University of America. It has been a pleasure getting to know her over the years, and I am so proud of all that she has accomplished. She truly proves that thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” 

As for the scholarship she has won, Kait said it was an extensive application, but she is grateful that she did it because she can use the money. Nationally, only 575 students were selected as semifinalists in this NHS Scholarship Program. Kait will be studying electrical engineering in college and hopes to earn a master’s degree in engineering management. She knows her leadership experience at Ansonia High and in the community has shaped her future - and she is forever grateful.

For more information about the National Honor Society, the scholarship, and the 2019 recipients, visit  www.nhs.us.


This is a press release from Ansonia Public Schools.

*Congratulations to Kait on her achievements and all the best in her future endeavors!

Derby Public Library accepting essay submissions for scholarship prize

Derby Public Library announces annual scholarship essay contest

DERBY - The Derby Public Library Annual $500 Scholarship Prize is open to all high school seniors living in Derby who plan to further their education, regardless of where they go to school. 

The Library Board of Directors will choose the winner based on an essay explaining the role of libraries in their life. 

The award will be presented June 20 at the Library Board of Directors' meeting. 

In addition to the monetary prize, the winner’s name will be added to the Scholarship Prize Plaque located in the Young Adult Department. 

High school seniors may submit their entry directly to the Library Director now through May 24. 

For more information, stop by the Library, 313 Elizabeth St., or call 203-736-1482.

This information is shared from the Library's website.