Amazing Carver students received their scholarship awards!
Trinity McFadden, a third-year student at Rochester Institute of Technology, spent last summer and fall semester working as a campaign intern for newly elected Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper. As the internship progressed, she was placed on a committee focusing on African American and veteran efforts in Colorado.
Here is a story about Trinity’s first year as a criminal justice major. She was among the school’s inaugural group of Maguire Scholars. Trinity also made the Dean's List with a 4.0 GPA, and she was invited to join the school’s Honors Program. Trinity learned Russian sign language as an elective and traveled to Russia for three weeks as part of the curriculum.
We celebrated the achievements of our seniors and college students yesterday and awarded them $111,000 in college scholarships.
20 of the 27 scholarship awardees earned GPAs of 3.3 or above, 4 of these 27 students earned a GPA of 2.6, and 3 of the 27 students earned a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5.
Four students were awarded the Athena Scholarship. One college student received a renewal of the annual $10,000 scholarship, and three new students were each awarded $20,000 over the next four years.
Scholarships (explained below) also include the D’Andre Parks Scholarship for students with the highest GPA; the Whitcomb Scholarship for students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher; the Fuller Scholarship for students with a GPA of 2.6 to 3.3; and the Serenbetz Scholarship for students with a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5.
The 27 awardees: Nikayla Ashley; Kayla Alvarado; Lakia Brayboy; Genesis Butler; Alexis Bynum; Michelle Chacko; Liberty Corbett; Angee Cruz; Eric Day; Alexis Fazzino; Jadyn Grant; Luis Guaillas; Camisha Hines; Christie Lefevre; Sandy Maxelix; Trinity McFadden; Karen Sofia Martinez Coronado; Brianna Mendoza Carrillo; Shaniya Mesilin; Carla Romeus; Myles Russell; Evan Townsend Henry; Jennifer Veliz; Nicea Nerette; Mandie Romeus; Samuel Emile; and Dejanah Lorthe.
SERENBETZ SCHOLARSHIP
Awards range from $2,500 to $4,000 and are awarded to Carver students who earn a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5. The Serenbetz family has generously supported Carver for many years and is especially committed to the Carver scholarship program. Thelma Serenbetz, the matriarch of the family, was one of the readers of the Carver scholarship essays each year. Her first job after college was as an editor, but more importantly, she knew the inestimable value of a college education. Thelma and her family went on to support many organizations and schools through the years to help young people thrive and achieve their goals. When we learned of Thelma’s passing in August 2019, we wanted to honor her memory and legacy, particularly her commitment to our students. This scholarship honors Thelma’s life and all that she gave to and made possible for Carver students through the years.
FULLER SCHOLARSHIP
The Fuller Scholarship is presented to Carver students ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. The Fuller Scholarship was created to honor Carver’s longtime Executive Director, Richard N. Fuller Sr., upon his retirement in 2004. Mr. Fuller served Carver students for 26 years. He was an educator, trusted community leader, and strong advocate for Norwalk families. The City of Norwalk renamed Academy Street, where the Carver Community Center is located, Richard Fuller Way. Countless Carver alumni credit Mr. Fuller for giving them the example, inspiration, and motivation to succeed in life.
WHITCOMB SCHOLARSHIP
The Whitcomb Scholarship ranges from $3,000 to $4,000, awarded to Carver students who have demonstrated exemplary academic achievement of a GPA of 3.3 or higher. The scholarship was established in 2018, in honor of Richard (Dick) Whitcomb, who is one of the most influential individuals in the life and growth of the Carver community since its founding in 1938. Mr. Whitcomb was involved in Carver since the 1960s when he’d bring St. Luke’s School students to volunteer at the Carver Community Center. Novelette Peterkin joined the Carver community in 2004. She met Dick in 2006, and by 2008 they set out on the bold journey to expand Carver’s after-school and summer programs to almost every school in Norwalk. Dick served on the Carver board for many years and today serves as an ex officio advisor to the board. Dick is also Headmaster Emeritus, St. Luke’s School. Dick was given Carver’s Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion of Carver’s 75th anniversary.
DARIEN ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP
This $3,000 award this year is presented to a Carver student attending Norwalk Community College. This student is highly engaged in the Carver community, demonstrates grit and determination, and demonstrates an exemplary willingness to succeed.
DEANDRE PARKS SCHOLARSHIP
This $5,000 award is given to the student with the highest GPA. It was established to honor the profound contributions of this former Carver board member. Mr. Parks was one of the founders of Carver’s annual Child of America Gala, Carver’s largest event that consistently brings national prestige to our local organization. Mr. Parks remains a major Carver donor and champion even after all these years.
ATHENA SCHOLARSHIP
An anonymous donor established the Athena Scholarship in 2017 with a pledge of $40,000 over four years to a Carver student who demonstrates a diligent work ethic, resilience in the face of challenges, and a strong commitment to graduate from a four-year college within four years. This year, that same donor added three four-year $20,000 scholarships to this program on the same terms. Scholarship awardees must maintain strong academic performance and provide yearly updates to receive the yearly scholarship renewal.
We hope more Carver donors will want to create their own named scholarship funds in the years ahead.