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Greenwich Scholarship Association

A long tradition of the Greenwich community supporting the future of its youth.

The Greenwich Scholarship Association (GSA) is an independent, all-volunteer, tax-exempt organization that offers scholarship aid based on financial need. Most of the recipients are graduates of .

This year marks the 39th year that GSA has been helping dreams come true for graduating seniors. Back in 1978, there were 28 sponsors who contributed $16,700 to GSA. Today, they proudly attracted 100 sponsors and distributed an impressive $511,600.

In its 39-year lifespan, on average approximately 100 students per year have
benefited from scholarships, bringing the number of recipients into the thousands, estimated GSA president Dr. Marie Hertzig.

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According to Hertzig, GSA has been told by the Fairfield County Community Foundation, their fiduciary agent, that nowhere in Connecticut (and possibly nowhere in the nation) is there a group quite like GSA. While most communities may offer scholarships through their schools and civic groups, none are organized quite as like GSA, making them very highly unique.

At the award ceremony in mid-June, Hertzig observed that "a testament to the enthusiasm generated by our scholarship ceremony," was even the sponsors who took part at the end of the evening (nearly 10 p.m.) "were as smiling and happy to present their awards as were the recipients to receive them."

Clearly Hertzig's involvement is another example of the attraction power of GSA. She has been president for 19 years and prior to that she was a GSA board member.

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What keeps her involved? Simply, Hertzig says, "I find the work to be tremendously rewarding." She explains that the knowledge of the sustainability of GSA’s impact is empowering. "A couple of years ago, a few GSA committee members conducted a follow-up study and determined that 91% of the students who were awarded scholarships went on to graduate from College." Besides the high success rate, Hertzig is inspired to stay engaged by the students themselves. "I love working with high school students; the possibility of encouraging them in such a meaningful way."

The magic of GSA seems to be contagious. "People see what we are doing as interesting and they ask to join. It takes two to three years to really understand the process. Every year we will lose a few board members and we gain a few."

She says, "The full Board meets in the fall, winter and spring. There are various other tasks such as the personal interviews, preparation for the awards and two evenings of allocations. The busy season is between March 9th and June 15th."

This year saw the addition of 6 new scholarships, 5 of which are memorials: 3 in memory of youths and 2 of teachers. Hertizig sees the value of the memorials as a win/win. "We can bring comfort to a family for a loss; keeping the name alive is a positive thing that will actually help others as well."

Overall, more than 40 percent of the awards are memorials. The remaining are
from community organizations, civic clubs and businesses. Collectively, the awards "reflect the heart of the community and that heart is very generous," explains Hertzig.

GHS Headmaster Chris Winters couldn't agree more. "The GSA Awards were
a fabulous night at GHS. The awards, many of which are memorial awards, allow our students to attend college with reduced financial burdens. It demonstrates the incredible generosity of residents in Greenwich and a strong town culture of assisting those who both need and deserve the help."

There were 122 awards this year, making it among the one of the larger groups. Last year was the first time GSA distributed more than $500,000. Hertzig recalls when she first became involved and the allocated amount was a $28,000


The Greenwich PTA Council distributed 33 awards at $850 each. The Greenwich High School PTA awarded 33 awards at $750 each. The GSA, with an endowment of $4 million, distributes up to 5 percent of their endowment. This year they awarded $155,000 and the 100 sponsors contributed the remaining $357,600.

The awards below are listed alphabetically by the first letter of the award name, except for awards from the GSA endowment funds (Charlton, Lyman, Reynolds) which appear at the end of the list.

Click here for a list and descriptions of all of the Greenwich Scholarship Association Memorial Awards.

To see the photos from the award ceremony click here.

Alan Capasso Greenwich High School PTA Award

  • Courtney Ziluca

Allan Kitchel Jr. Memorial Fund Award

  • Taylor Horty
  • Brent Middleton
  • Ashley Pinkowski
  • Jonathan Wardell
  • Imogen Yates

Allyson S. Mascali Memorial Scholarship

  • Raymond Swaby

American Association of University Women Scholarship

  • Kelly Riley

American Red Cross Scholarship in Memory of Dwight H. Renfrew III and John E. Schmeltzer IV

  • Mark Deluca
  • Taylor LoGrasso
  • Jeffrey Wilson

Becky Stone Memorial Scholarship

  • Manuel Orellana

Brian Thomas Macken Memorial Scholarship

  • Louis Pulitano

Byram Scholarship

  • Vinicius Franchin

Camilla Kelley Memorial Scholarship

  • Emma Kelley

Caryn U. Jacoby/Christian J. A. Urciuoli Scholarship Fund

  • Glaura Paiva

Charles W. Jensen III, D.M.D. Memorial Scholarship

  • Stuart Grant Lowe

Chickahominy Reunion Committee Award

  • Jessica Casas
  • Sam Derene
  • Stephanie Lopez
  • Brent Middleton
  • Michael Schmeiler

Chicken Joe's Ride For Kids Scholarship

  • Jessica Fiscella
  • Erica Strazza

Chicken Joe's Scholarship Award

  • David Gordon

Christopher J. Chute Memorial Scholarship

  • Jessica Fiscella

Christopher T. Harris Jr. Memorial Scholarship

  • Alex Schectman

Connections Scholarship Award

  • Martha Adams

Daly Memorial Scholarship

  • Wendy Hermoza

Diane M. Intrieri Memorial Scholarship

  • Emily Barresi
  • Guillermo Novella

Donald F. Greene Scholarship, funded by The Institute for Socioeconomic Studies in Memory of Leonard M. Greene

  • Nicole Fierro
  • Taylor Horty
  • Allison Misciagno-Bergin
  • Natalya Skjelmose
  • Ted Zeta

Dr. William & Mrs. Eduvina Hennigar Memorial Scholarship

  • Marcos Quiquivix

Elizabeth Matthews Memorial Scholarship

  • Tenzin Kusang
  • Thomas McKay
  • Steve Ortiz
  • Glaura Paiva
  • Marcos Quiquivix
  • Kelly Riley

Friends of Greenwich Point

  • Emma Tanen

Garden Club of Old Greenwich Scholarship Award

  • Jonathan Wardell

George Barradas Glenville Maverick Memorial Award

  • Daniel Lombardi

Grayson Garb Memorial Scholarship

  • Timothy Frazier

The Robert Curtis Memorial Award by the Greenwich Association of Realtors

  • Elisabeth Bloom

Greenwich Basketball Association Scholarship in Memory of Tod Clonan

  • Kyle Avery
  • Eric Barrillas
  • Jason Morilla
  • Francesco Servidio

Greenwich Center for Career Opportunities Scholarship

  • Dwight Richards

Greenwich Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

  • Dillon Novakowski

Greenwich Democratic Town Committee in memory of David Roberson

  • Chloe Gardner

Greenwich Exchange for Women's Work Award

  • Chelsea Bacon

Greenwich Firefighters Association Local 1042 Scholarship

  • Daniel Banfield-Keller
  • Sam Derene
  • Fitzgerald Francois
  • Meaghan Garofalo
  • Michelle Peterson

Greenwich High School Class of '57 Award

  • Meaghan Garofalo

Greenwich Organization for School Administrators Scholarship

  • Yasmin Contreras

Greenwich High School PTA Award

  • Cesar Aguero
  • Angel Alicea
  • Bryan Collins
  • Yasmin Contreras
  • Mark Filippo
  • Vinicius Franchin
  • Timothy Frazier
  • Samantha Furgason
  • Maricela Gonzalez
  • Neelab Hussaini
  • Carly Jenkins
  • Emma Kelley
  • Zachary Lederman
  • Jennifer Mata
  • Kimberly Mata
  • Johanna Mattsson
  • Thomas McKay
  • Sarah Mellilo
  • Meena Nasimi
  • Steve Ortiz
  • Michelle Peterson
  • Ashley Pinkowski
  • Jessica Polistina
  • Kelly Riley
  • Christopher Santiago
  • Alex Schectman
  • Francesco Servidio
  • Natalya Skjelmose
  • Karen Valencia
  • Noelle Valentine
  • Alex Vergara
  • Imogen Yates

    Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Scholarships

    • Roma Desai
    • Samantha Furgason
    • Tenzin Kusang
    • Erica Strazza

    Greenwich Housing Authority Award

    • Wendy Hermoza
    • Stephanie Lopez
    • Txema Palacio
    • Sung Kweun "Danny" Park
    • Marcos Quiquivix
    • Chris Santiago
    • Raymond Swaby
    • Noelle Valentine

    Greenwich Jaycee Charitable Trust Fund Award

    • Samantha Furgason
    • Neelab Hussaini

    Greenwich Multiple Listing Award

    • Sam Derene

    Greenwich Old Timers Athletic Association Scholarship

    • Tori Dobson
    • Timothy Frazier
    • MaryMargaret Koester
    • Daniel Lombardi

    Greenwich Reform Synagogue Scholarship

    • Meaghan Garofalo
    • Sydny Grossman

    Greenwich Rotary Club Scholarship

    • Cameron Dawson
    • Chloe Gardner

    Greenwich Soccer Club Scholarship in Memory of Joe Lenihan and Fred Varrachi

    • Courtney Ziluca

    Greenwich Woman's Club Award

    • Conner Gaffney
    • Taylor LoGrasso
    • Allison Misciagno-Bergin

    Greenwich Youth Cheerleading League Scholarship Award

    • Nicole Fierro
    • Anna Katsigris
    • Erica Strazza
    • Margaret Wallace

    Hallenborg Memorial Scholarship

    • Julie-Anne Baghajian

    Hertzig Family Scholarship

    • Fernando Marinho
    • Filipe Marinho

    Hopetown Scholarship Fund Award

    • David Gordon
    • Dillon Novakowski

    Idella Stuart Hempstead Scholarship Award

    • Jason Morilla
    • Dayana Peykova
    • Imogen Yates

    Improved Order of the Red Men, Mayn Mayano Tribe 46 Award

    • Marc Deluca
    • Jessica Fiscella
    • Anna Katsigris
    • Joseph Marianacci

    Jane C. Bausman Memorial Scholarship

    • Lauren Mascioli

    James L. Branca Memorial Republican Town Committee Scholarship

    • Michelle Maxwell
    • Francesco Servidio

    James Fahy Jr. Memorial Scholarship

    • Anthony Altomaro

    Jeanne Belles Memorial Scholarship

    • Noelle Valentine

    Jessica Lee Brett Memorial Scholarship

    • Yasmin Contreras

    Jewish Family Services - Rogath Scholarship Fund Award

    • Sam Derene
    • Gabrielle Frank
    • Sydny Grossman
    • Zachary Lederman
    • Jessica Rehberger
    • Rebecca Schreff

    John Bria Scholarship for Music

    • Alex Schectman

    John Gilder Memorial Scholarship

    • Savannah Cassidy

    John G. Vrabec Shadow Foundation Scholarship

    • Cesar Aguero
    • Kyle Avery
    • Emily Carriero
    • Bryan Collins
    • Jessica Fahy
    • Jessica Fiscella
    • Vinicius Franchin
    • Conner Gaffney
    • Carly Jenkins
    • Jennifer Mata
    • Kimberly Mata
    • Jonathan McEvoy-Zeballos
    • Jason Morilla
    • Dayana Peykova
    • Jose Valdovinos

    John Zumbo Memorial Scholarship

    • Daniel Lombardi
    • Erica Strazza

    Joseph & Marie Nemec Scholarship Fund Award

    • Fernando Marinho
    • Filipe Marinho

    Joseph Schiano Memorial Scholarship

    • Dwight Richards

    The Joseph Piro Jr. Memorial Scholarship

    • Joseph McGuire

    Justin Scott Brown Memorial Scholarship

    • Alex Schectman

    Kiwanis Keogh Scholarship

    • Britt Smith

    Laurie Abelson Memorial Scholarship

    • Samatha Furgason

    Linda & Steven B. Fox Family Scholarship

    • Britt Smith

    Linda Hoenig Memorial Scholarship

    • Nicole Fierro
    • Jennifer Mata
    • Kimberly Mata
    • Kelly Riley
    • Noelle Valentine

    Lions Foundation of Greenwich Scholarship Award

    • Michelle Maxwell

    Martha Moxley Memorial Scholarship

    • Taylor Horty

    Matthew Yee Scholarship Fund Award

    • Jennifer Mata
    • Kimberly Mata

    Michael Jon Greenberg Memorial Scholarship

    • Courtney Ziluca

    Michelle Yee Memorial Scholarship

    • Wendy Hermoza

    Monique Dalan Memorial Scholarship - Greenwich Police Emerald Society/Greenwich Police Social Club

    • MaryMargaret Koester

    The Morris and Florence Bender Foundation Scholarship

    • Joshua Smith

    Nancy J. Michaud Memorial Award

    • Brandon Ulnits

    Nathan L. Nathanson Memorial Scholarship

    • Kelly Riley

    Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists Scholarship

    • Joseph Marianacci

    Osgood Lichty Scholarship Fund Award

    • Emma Henry

    PTA Council Awards

    • Daniel Banfield-Keller
    • Savannah Cassidy
    • Cameron Dawson
    • Sam Derene
    • Jessica Fiscella
    • Fitzgerald Francois
    • Meaghan Garofalo
    • David Gordon
    • Sydny Grossman
    • Wendy Hermoza
    • Taylor Horty
    • Mary Margaret Koester
    • Reed LaRiviere
    • Taylor LoGrasso
    • Daniel Lombardi
    • Stuart Grant Lowe
    • Joseph Marianacci
    • Brent Middleton
    • Txema Palacio
    • Antonio Munive
    • Dillon Novakowski
    • Manuel Orellana
    • Melody Pabon
    • Glaura Paiva
    • Sung Kweun "Danny" Park
    • Marcos Quiquivix
    • Nicholas Robison
    • Erica Strazza
    • Raymond Swaby
    • Jose Valdovinos
    • Jonathan Wardell
    • Courtney Ziluca
    • Erika Zuniga

    Richard M. Aidinis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

    • Ashley Pinkowski

    Robert A. Benoit Memorial Scholarship

    • Fernando Marinho

    Roberta Davis Memorial Scholarship

    • Rebecca Schreff

    Rudy's Limousine - Dominic Conetta Memorial Scholarship

    • Mark Deluca
    • Nicole Fierro
    • Joseph McGuire
    • William O'Connor
    • Dwight Richards
    • Erica Strazza

    Second Congregational Church Women's Fellowship Scholarship

    • Kirby Taylor

    Signettes Scholarship

    • Margaret Selkow

    Silver Shield Association- Kathleen Robinson Memorial Scholarship

    • Maricela Gonzalez

    Sunny Hill Children's Center Scholarship

    • Jessica Fiscella

    Susannah Chase Memorial Scholarship

    • Melody Pabon

    Tod Clonan Memorial Scholarship for Athletic Excellence

    • Daniel Lombardi

    Tommy Conelias, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

    • Erica Strazza

    Trendmaker Scholarship

    • Meena Nasimi
    • Jessica Polistina
    • Nicholas Robison
    • Matt Tellez
    • Erika Zuniga

    Velaj Foundation Scholarship

    • Irina Racheva

    Vin Giuliani Scholarship for Graphic Arts

    • Guillermo Novella

    Virginia Flanagan Memorial Scholarship

    • Jessica Fiscella

    Willard E. Hoyt Memorial Baseball Scholarship

    • Michael DeGiorgio

    Wataru John Narita Memorial Scholarship

    • Tyler Helmrich

    Western Greenwich Lions Club Scholarship

    • Courtney Ziluca
    • Charlton Fund
    • Cameron Dawson
    • Jessica Fiscella
    • Fitzgerald Francois
    • Timothy Frazier
    • Meaghan Garofalo
    • Neelab Hussaini
    • MaryMargaret Koester
    • Daniel Lombardi
    • Danielle Martin
    • Manuel Orellana
    • Glaura Paiva
    • Txema Palacio
    • Michelle Petersen
    • Karen Pozo
    • Christopher Santiago
    • Joshua Smith
    • Matt Tellez
    • Brandon Ulnits
    • Karen Valencia
    • Gracia Vargas
    • Imogen Yates

    Lyman Fund

    • Daniel Banfield-Keller
    • Tyler Bongiorni
    • Savannah Cassidy
    • Bryan Collins
    • Sam Derene
    • Vinicius Franchin
    • Samantha Furgason
    • Tenzin Kusang
    • Stephanie Lopez
    • Brent Middleton
    • Meena Nasimi
    • Dillon Novakowski
    • Jessica Polistina
    • Nicholas Robison
    • Francesco Servidio
    • Raymond Swaby
    • Jose Valdovinos
    • Noelle Valentine
    • Jonathan Wardell
    • Courtney Ziluca

    Reynolds Fund

    • Mark Filippo
    • David Gordon
    • Sydny Grossman
    • Carly Jenkins
    • Emma Kelley
    • Reed LaRiviere
    • Taylor Lo Grasso
    • Stuart Grant Lowe
    • Joseph Marianacci
    • Filipe Marinho
    • Fernando Marinho
    • Jennifer Mata
    • Kimberly Mata
    • Thomas McKay
    • Antonio Munive
    • Sung Kweun "Danny" Park
    • Ashley Pinkowski
    • Dwight Richards
    • Kirby Taylor
    • Alex Vergara
    • Erika Zuniga

    Congratulations to all of the Scholarship winners and especially to the Greenwich Scholarship Association for another successful year!

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