Flanked by CEF treasurer Tom Martin at left and CEF board chair Derek Gromko on the right, the scholarship winners were honored at a reception in the Cheshire High School commons.
From left they are Joshua LaMaster, Sam Huang, Jacob Jalowic, Alex Clark, Ryan Fraser, Carina Cartiera, Ella Paul, Rory Stults, and Mackenzie Knapp.

 
Cheshire, CT, May 22, 2024

Fifteen graduating Cheshire High seniors will share a total of $31,000 in college scholarships administered by the Cheshire Education Foundation (CEF). The winners were announced at the annual Cheshire High School senior awards ceremony May 21.

A new scholarship this year is named in memory of longtime Darcy School principal Lois Rho. This award is made to students in the CHS Special Education program who have overcome challenges in their education. The inaugural recipients are Alex Clark, Karla Carangelo, and Joshua LaMaster who will share $2,000.

The annual Balso Foundation Scholarships provide four CHS seniors each with $4,000 awards to be distributed over the next four years. The winners are Austin Blair, Zhiyuan Huang, Mackensie Knapp, and Rory Stults. They were selected by CEF scholarship selection committees according to criteria set down when the Balso Scholarships began in 1971.

Austin Blair will continue his education at the University of Connecticut this fall. He was also awarded $3,500 from the Meaghan Welch Memorial Artistic Scholarship and $2,000 from the Lombardo Family Scholarship.

Cheshire High seniors Ryan Fraser and Jeffrey Gonzalez were selected as recipients of the annual Greg Schena Memorial Scholarships, which honor the former physical education teacher and coach who passed away in 2010. Ryan and Jeffrey will each receive $1,500.

The $1,000 Greg J. Florio, ED. D. Scholarship recipient this year is Ella Paul. Dr. Florio served as superintendent of the Cheshire Public Schools for 12 years. Ella is also the winner of an additional $1,000 from the Cheshire Education Foundation’s general scholarship. The winners of the Don Wailonis Scholarship, sponsored by the Dodd PTA in honor of the former Dodd principal, are Jacob Jalowiec and Mia Vientos. They will receive $500 each.

The CEF committee reviewing applicants for the Daniel P. Martinook Scholarship selected Chase Keegan and William Allen to share the $1,000 award. And a grant of $500 will go to Carina Cartiera, the winner of the Chapman School Scholarship, who will be a freshman at Fairfield University this fall.

“One of the most important things we do each year is to help these deserving seniors continue their educations,” said Derek Gromko, chair of the CEF board of directors. “Our mission is to enhance the educational experience in the Cheshire Public Schools and to create opportunities for our students.”

“The Cheshire Education Foundation scholarships support our graduates, and they inspire our current students to pursue their dreams upon graduation from Cheshire High School,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jeff Solan. “The Cheshire Public Schools are fortunate to have such an incredible partner in supporting our students during their public-school education.”