3 'Remarkable' College-Bound Students From Branford Awarded Rotary Club 'Service Above Self' Scholarships

BRANFORD, CT — Three "remarkable" college-bound students, Eloise Dornfield, Grace Grammatico, and David Alberino, were honored with Branford Rotary Club 'Service Above Self' $4,000 education scholarships.

Eloise Dornfield, Grace Grammatico, and David Alberino, were honored with Branford Rotary Club 'Service Above Self' $4,000 education scholarships.

"We had a large pool of outstanding applicants this year and narrowing it down to three was more difficult than ever," ,Rotary’s Scholarship Committee chair Tony Terry, said. "When we award a Service Above Self scholarship, we do so not just based on their grades or activities, but on their community involvement. Grace, David, and Eloise have each been intensely committed to helping others, and that was truly humbling to us as a service organization."

Dornfield is a 2025 Branford High School grad and will attend Belmont University in Nashville, where she plans to major in public relations. Her English teacher at BHS, John Matthiessen, described Eloise as a thoughtful and mature student who, "works hard, follows up, and takes nothing for granted." He praised her work outside the classroom, particularly as a volunteer for Bridges of Hope in New Haven, where she served food and mentored children in need.

"Eloise is a creative, diligent, and compassionate student," Matthiessen said. " know that she will find success in whatever venture she puts her mind to."

Alberino, who lives in Branford, graduated in May from Notre Dame High School in West Haven. He will be heading off to Northeastern University in Boston and intends to major in data science. An accomplished athlete, he was an exceptional student in and out of the classroom, said Notre Dame language department chair Dacia Mirabelle. David volunteered monthly to help the homeless in New Haven, and has gone on volunteer mission trips to Kentucky to help repair houses.

"David's character and initiative set him apart from his peers," Mirabelle said. "He combines academic excellence, athletic ability, and a strong commitment to community service."

Grace Grammatico, a 2025 Branford High School graduate, will attend Yale University, where she plans to study history and political science, and eventually attend law school.

Branford High School history teacher James Petela was "effusive in his praise of this clearly prized student," calling Grace, "Highly intelligent, hardworking, passionate, devoted, trustworthy, empathetic, and mature."

Among her many titles at BHS, she was president of Model Congress, Amnesty International, and the Latin National Honor Society, and she also mentored children at her former elementary school.

"Grace's efforts and endeavors, accomplishments and awards are some of the bests I've seen in my 30-plus years of teaching and advising Model Congress," Petela said.

The Branford Rotary is proud to award a total of $12,000 to these incredible Branford students who exemplify Rotary’s motto of 'Service Above Self,' it was noted in a news release.

About the Branford Rotary Club

The Branford Rotary Club is a volunteer service organization of more than 60 men and women who give their time and effort to help people in need in Branford, across the shoreline, and around the world.

For more information, visit BranfordRotary.org