Update: Click here for a video of the American Idol satire which was presented at the assembly.
Kelly Saiz
Reporter
This Sunday, March 28th, the Scholarship Foundation will host its annual Scholarship Sunday. During the drive, student volunteers will go door to door to ask for contributions from New Canaan residents.
Tomorrow students will attend an “American Idol” themed assembly that will feature an informational video and speakers. The assembly encourages students to sign up and volunteer for the drive.
For 43 years, the foundation has reached out to town merchants and residents in order to fund the extended education of high school students. Harry Coleman, an affiliate of Colombia University and distinguished New Canaan resident started the foundation in 1967. Principal and foundation Chairman Tony Pavia says that the program has been an unquestioned force in providing for the academic careers of students. “I still get correspondence from students who received a scholarship ten or twenty years ago thanking the school for the opportunity for an education,” he said. “When you get a letter like that it really brings home what it is.”
The foundation has seen substantial growth over recent years, even in light of the recent financial crisis. In 2009, 53 grants were awarded, averaging $3,377 apiece. Mr. Pavia is thoroughly pleased with the progress of the fundraiser. “As college has gotten more expensive; the scholarship foundation has grown immensely. We’ve actually had a couple of very strong years in terms of fundraising,” he said.
In 2008, 40 students raised $6,800 on Scholarship Sunday. Comparatively, 160 students participated in 2009, raising more than $23,000. Co-Chairman Francesca Lacerenza, who has overseen the tremendous growth of recent years, set the goal of involving 200 students this year. “Last year our mission was to get as many kids as possible and this year we want to get even more,” she said.
However, Scholarship Sunday is just one of the many fundraising efforts made by the Scholarship Foundation. The year-round efforts of the foundation can yield anywhere from $80,000 to $90,000. Throughout the year, the foundation aims to reach out to both New Canaan merchants and residents. Mr. Pavia identified Karl Chevrolet, Walter Stewarts, and Bradley Fetchet Foundation as three major contributors. On Saturday, March 27th several stores participated in the Shop for Scholars event by donating a portion of their proceeds to the cause. Town business have also lent their support in other ways. On March 18th, New Canaan Wine Merchants hosted a wine tasting and encouraged customers to shop between 5 and 8 pm, donating a portion of their proceeds to the foundation.
In May, a sitting committee will review the applications for aid and grants will be awarded in June. The selection is based on need. Administrative director Therese Chaisson says that the applications are reviewed and rewarded on the basis of need. “The money that goes into a scholarship cannot be singled out to an athlete, artist, or musician. It goes into a pool and it is based on need,” Ms. Chaisson said.
The awards can range from $3,000 to $25,000. They can last up to four years, with 100% of the grant being given in the first two years, and the last two years encompassing 50% grant and 50% interest free loan. Of the 50-60 students that apply, 40-50 of which become recipients of aid. Mrs. Lacerenza is interested in supporting a program that focuses on students. “I like raising money for good students who can’t afford the whole expense of a college education,” she said.
The object of tomorrow’s assembly is to rally students and encourage participation in the drive. The foundation’s website www.nchsscholarship.org outlines their ongoing efforts and offers the option to donate online.
The success of the program has been attributed to the generous support of the community throughout the years. Mr. Pavia believes that the Scholarship Drive is vital to the program and its awareness. “It is very special that this community opens its doors and its hearts every year to our students who go door to door,” he said. “We have many traditions but there is not tradition that is better than this one. There is no tradition that speaks more about the community than this one.”
