Eight NCHS Class of ’15 Grads Earn ‘Harold S. Kenney Scholarship’ Awards from Kiwanis Club

The Kiwanis Club of New Canaan on Wednesday awarded eight deserving 2015 New Canaan High School graduates with $750 scholarships during an annual luncheon.

Recipients of the Harold S. Kenney Scholarship awards—named for a longtime Kiwanian and NCHS headmaster who retired in 1973, a summer camp business manager and hockey coach who was named a Hay Fellow in the Humanities by Williams College in 1961—ranged from varsity athletes and aspiring bioengineers to a vocal performance standout who founded her own company and published a book.

2015 NCHS grads and winners of Kiwanis Club of New Canaan’s Harold S. Kenney Scholarship’ Awards, at Roger Sherman Inn on Aug. 5, 2015, L-R: Nancy Leville, Gabriella Borea, Samantha Santoni, Amanda Miller, Madison Flagg, Ben Otis and Izabela Paloka. Missing: Erik Eason. Credit: Michael Dinan

What they all have in common is “that they are all incredibly motivated and want to make a real difference in the world,” local attorney Jerry Miller, Kiwanis Club treasurer and head of its Scholarship Committee, said during the luncheon, held at Roger Sherman Inn.

The Kiwanis Club’s mission is serving the children of the world, and in their own unique ways, the recently graduated NCHS honorees have found ways to lift their peers and younger kids. Here’s a brief bio on each of them, including a direct quote from their application for the scholarship:

Gabriella Borea

Gabriella Borea, entering Fairfield University with possible area of specialization in Engineering: Compiled a cumulative GPA at New Canaan High School of 91.7 and coached at Smart Start Soccer, helping kindergarteners learn basic skills; refereed for the New Canaan Soccer Association; volunteered for TOP Soccer, working with handicapped children; helped elementary-level kids participate in soccer drills and games at the New Canaan Soccer Association Winter Camp. Her favorite subject at NCHS was math: “Even though most may find this subject difficult to pursue, I look forward to the challenges that I will have to face in my upcoming studies.”

Erik Eason, entering the UConn Honors Program, possibly specializing in business: Cumulative GPA at NCHS of 93.8; active member of the Debate Team at NCHS, earning awards including Second Speaker and Second Place at the Yale Invitational Debate; 2-year member of the National Honors Society; Winner of “Best Delegate” at Model UN simulation; Eagle Scout, serving as Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Guide, constructing four wooden benches for the New Canaan Nature Center for his Eagle Scout Project. “I’ve been working virtually my entire high school career … I’ve always known the burden of a college tuition would rest entirely on my shoulders, and am willing and able to put the time and work in to pay for the experience.”

Madison Flagg

Madison Flagg, entering the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, to specialize (perhaps) in computer science and engineering: Cumulative GPA at NCHS of 93.6; involved as a leader in the Charity Link club, a community service organization that’s worked with Inspirica; worked at Bon Fleur Florist in town since the start of her sophomore year. Over the years, Madison said, Charity Link “has been involved with numerous other organizations” in addition to Inspirica, “such as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Yale Children’s Hospital and the local New Canaan Food Pantry.”

Nancy Leville

Nancy Leville, entering Belmont University, possibly specializing in vocal performance: Cumulative GPA of 3.0; Founded a company, Global Children’s Wellness, and has partnered with the Magic Johnson Foundation and One World Literacy Foundation to make her own “Eat BRITE, Kids” health solution available to elementary schools across the nation; has participated in at least two musical productions each year, including leading roles in “Godspell,” “Alice In Wonderland,” “Oliver,” “Little Women” and “Grease”; assistant manager at Hairquarters West Salon & Spa last summer; sings during Masses at St. John’s Church in Darien, services as lector and Eucharistic minister. “Music and its unlimited possibilities became the spark for my creativity in other subjects, as well as the foundation for how I would approach more difficult areas such as math and the sciences.”

Amanda Miller

Amanda Miller, entering Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School, possibly to study marketing: NCHS academic average of 88; two-year member of volleyball teams at the high school; has worked as babysitter and in sales at Pennyweights; participant in “Make It Happen India” club led by Michael Joneja and member during senior year of the Gay-Straight Alliance club led by Sarah Maddox. Amanda said in an esay that she “has stood up” for kids who have been ridiculed for their orientations “whether friend or foe because I knew it made a difference.” “I was an advocate for those who passively got ridiculed while teachers turned the other way. Although this may not be as grand of an achievement like making the Honor Roll all throughout high school, which I did as well, this is more of an accomplishment that I believe makes a difference in this world.”

Ben Otis

Benjamin Otis, entering DePauw University, possibly to study psychology: 3.2 GPA at New Canaan High School; varsity football and lacrosse player who has worked with an organization called Lacrosse the World, a buildOn chapter that seeks to use the sport to break the cycles of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations; works at Dunkin Donuts downtown; has volunteered as a coach in the Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership Program as well as the New Canaan CARES Leadership Challenge Elder Buddies program; has worked through St. Aloysius Church in several programs, including at Catholic Charities St. Stephen’s Food Pantry and Thorpe Family Residence in the Bronx. “I was also fortunate to be associated with the Best Buddies gym class at New Canaan High School. Instead of participating in a regular gym class, I served the special needs students at New Canaan High School by using my athletic abilities honed on the sports field along with leadership and social skills to encourage them to engage in physical activity alongside me.”

Izabela Paloka

Izabela Paloka, entering the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, possibly to study elementary education: NCHS academic average of 88.9; helped start up the Ram Council, a group that promotes substance-free living and events among teenagers; active in youth groups in the Congregational Church and St. A’s; worked as a nanny for the past four years and worked for the past year at Caren Forbes. On the Ram Council, she says: “This is a group of substance-free teens that holds forums open to the public; during these forums and meetings we talk about current issues and ways to deal with them. For example, one of our forums was based on managing stress. Throughout the two years I have been on the executive board which means presentations for our meetings and events. We also plan monthly substance-free activities, which help build our club and give the students of New Canaan High School a safe and fun environment to partake in.”

Samantha Santoni

Samantha Santoni, entering Syracuse University, with bioengineering as a possible area of specialization: 87.2 NCHS academic average; involved in both the Teen Suicide Awareness Club and Make It Happen India club (as a co-founder); selected by the Center for Discovery to give weekly motivational speeches to victims of anorexia; four years on the indoor and outdoor track teams, as well as cross-country; works as a babysitter (Red Cross-certified) and at Freshii in Westport, and has interned at Federici Brands in Wilton. “The disturbing statistics showed me how much of a growing problem teen suicide is, thus I felt compelled to take action. Teen Suicide Awareness Club not only raises money and plans walks to increase awareness of teen suicide, but also offers an outlet to its members and other students to feel safe. From personal experience, I know that exposing your true feelings in a safe supportive group can be the difference between mindfulness and self-harm. As cliché as it sounds, sometimes just being there to listen can make literally a world of difference to someone, and even potentially save a life.”