Fairfield Chamber Awards Scholarships To 4 High School Seniors

FAIRFIELD, CT — The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce awarded its 2025 Fairfield Emerging Leaders Organization (FELO) Scholarships to four graduating seniors during a ceremony held on June 10.

The recipients are Jack Adwin and Matthew Dawson of Fairfield Ludlowe High School, and Benjamin Kwait and Reina Diaco of Fairfield Warde High School. All four students plan to pursue business degrees in college (see bios below).

The annual FELO Scholarship, now in its eleventh year, recognizes students who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership qualities, volunteerism, and a strong interest in business. Each honoree maintained high academic standards throughout their high school careers.

FELO, a professional group under the umbrella of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, aims to foster career development and networking opportunities for emerging business leaders. In addition to its events and educational programs, the organization emphasizes community service as a core part of its mission. Since the scholarship program’s inception, FELO has awarded $37,000 to Fairfield high school students.

"On the behalf of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and our entire Fairfield Emerging Leaders Organization (FELO) committee and membership, we’d like to congratulate our four graduates," said Beverly Balaz, president and CEO of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. "It was their hard work, volunteerism, dedication and significant accomplishments that earned them the FELO scholarship. We’re excited to be a part of their journey towards a fulfilling college experience and a successful future ahead."

Fairfield Warde High School

• Reina Diaco, will be attending the University of Tampa to study business, and she is interested in becoming an accountant. While in high school, Reina maintained an academically challenging schedule with four AP classes and several classes including Business of Travel & Tourism; Foundations in Business Law; and ECE Business Management. Upon graduation, Reina completed eight business classes, while working part-time at a chiropractic business for two years.

• Benjamin will be attending LeMoyne College in New York where he plans to major in business and sports marketing. Benjamin believes in volunteerism, and he enjoys working with special needs kids. As such, he volunteered with Shine Ministry at Black Rock Church, a program for kids and teens with special needs. While at Warde, Benjamin was a member of the Symphonic Orchestra for all four years, and a member of the Business Honor Society, Chess Club, and Stock Market Club.

• Jack will be attending Pennsylvania State University to pursue business with a second major in Technology Education. With an academic course load of Honors and AP classes, he enrolled in classes that will enhance his college interests. He successfully completed Business Sports/Entertainment, Marketing, Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship, and Business Management. It is evident these courses will be a solid initial foundation in pursuing his degree and interest in the business field.

• Matthew took his first business class as a freshman and later that year proposed an idea to two of his close friends: Let’s start our own business. The group had an idea, felt confident it would work, and set out to make it a reality. Called The Three Musketeers, the trio offered services in areas ranging from tech help to landscaping. For Matthew, this experience pointed him toward a career in business and how technology relates to that field. “Entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a good idea; it's also about being willing to act on it, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward,” he wrote in his application. Creating this business helped Matthew develop strong organizational skills, problem-solve on the fly, and accept – and learn from – constructive criticism.