Photo: John Nash / Hearst Connecticut Media. Sarah St. Surin, left, of Norwalk High, and Bella Bean of Brien McMahon are the first two recipients of the $2,500 Chelsea Cohen Scholarship Award. Starting next year, the scholarship will be worth $5,000 and given to a female athlete from either Norwalk or McMahon who best exhibits the character and flair that Cohen did before her death 12 years ago. See The Hour article here.
The Fairfield County Sports Commission announced today the first recipients of its Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes a female scholar/athlete who is a graduating senior from Norwalk high schools with a financial award toward higher education.
Norwalk High's Sarah St. Surin and Brien McMahon's Isabella Bean were named as the two winners and each will receive a $2,500 grant as support for their college freshman year this fall.
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate that best exemplifies the spirit and qualities of the late Chelsea Cohen, a graduate of NHS who passed away in 2006 and whose name is memorialized through FCSC's annual Courage Award. Criteria for nomination included academic honors, participation in one or more varsity level sports, community service and displaying high levels of sportsmanship, leadership and character.
"There have been many tributes to Chelsea over the years, but this scholarship is exceptionally meaningful, " said Chelsea's mother Barbara Rittner. "To recognize someone who most exemplifies Chelsea, her spirit, her drive, her accomplishments, this not only rewards the recipients but reminds us of Chelsea and why her story stays alive. The scholarship winners this year, Sarah and Bella, are remarkable young women who in addition to all their academic, civic and athletic accomplishments have that "special spark" like Chelsea had. "
For the first year the Commission felt it was important to recognize a winner from both schools to have each fully engaged at the start. Going forward the scholarship amount will be raised to $5,000 for one student/athlete from either NHS or BMHS.
"We believe that in taking this next step to keep Chelsea's legacy vibrant and relevant the scholarship will have a strong impact for young women in Norwalk striving to succeed in college both in the classroom and on the field of play," remarked FCSC Executive Director Tom Chiappetta. "Providing significant financial support to that end is another key role the Commission can play in meeting our mission and goals."
Bean, who will be attending the University of Virginia, is a four-year high honor roll student and was a two-year captain of the lacrosse team as a four-year starter and captained the soccer side her senior year. She worked at Horizons in New Canaan the last two years as a second grade tutor for the summer program there.
St. Surin, who is headed for UMass Boston, was a four-year starter for the basketball team and captain as a senior. She is also a high honors student as well as a talented musician and serves as a volunteer coach and summer counselor at the Carver Community Center in Norwalk.
See the latest newsletter here from the Fairfield County Sports Commission.
