2025 Scholarship Recipients Announced By The Guilford Foundation

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Foundation has awarded 34 scholarships and two prizes totaling $71,400 to graduating seniors at Guilford High School, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The scholarships, ranging from $600 to $6,550, will support students as they pursue post-secondary education at colleges or vocational schools. The funding comes from donor-established scholarship funds managed by the foundation.

"It is a tremendous honor to present these awards," said Liza Janssen Petra, executive director of The Guilford Foundation, in a prepared statement.

"Each scholarship embodies the spirit of community and the belief in the importance of education. Our donors, many of whom memorialize loved ones through these funds, are making a lasting impact on the lives of our students," Petra added. "It is our privilege to empower these young individuals as they pursue their educational aspirations while honoring the legacies of those who made this support possible. Through our endowment model, these scholarships offer opportunities that extend for generations to come."

Foundation officials worked with high school guidance staff to match students with awards based on academic focus and individual background. This year’s recipients were recognized for excelling both in and out of the classroom, balancing academics with extracurricular activities, including part-time jobs, volunteering, athletics, and the arts.

"Each scholarship honors the unique passions and goals of those named in the fund. Connecting our generous donors with these impressive graduating seniors is a joy," said Petra. “The best part is the recognition ceremony, where we tell the stories behind each scholarship while highlighting the achievements of the talented students who earned the award. It’s truly an uplifting and inspiring night for all."

The 2025 Guilford High School scholarship and prize recipients include:

• Al and Gene Bishop Fund for Vocational and Industrial Arts Scholarship: Giada Mezzanotte
• B. Joan & Dennis F. Hickey Scholarship Fund: Madelyn White
• Barbara Nugent Scholarship Fund: Molly Ann Prior
• Carl A. Balestracci Jr. Humanitarian Scholarship: Agnes Batters, Logan Murphy
• Elisabeth Adams Scholarship: Luca Scafidi, Ava Seseske
• Elizabeth M. "Lizzie" Schwanfelder Scholarship: Lily Sullivan
• Guilford Youth Mentoring Scholarship Fund: Benjamin Libby, Michael Maler
• Guilford Fund for Education: Samuel Beres, Laila Toscano-Popick
• GSB Charitable Fund Scholarships: Sasha Armster, Kate Footit
• The Jaffe Scholarship Fund: Johnson Dong
• Jake Penman Memorial Scholarship: Maxwell Freeman
• James P. Scialabba Scholarship Fund: Amy Shi
• Jesse. E. Whittemore Jr. Scholarship Fund: Emir Metjahic, Addison Weed
• The Karen and Terry Bergantino: Rachel Dong, Quintin Tansey
• Kyle E. Smith Memorial Scholarship: Jack Gardner
• Maureen Cyr Caruso Scholarship Fund: Eva Tortora
• Ralph Schipani Memorial Scholarship: Adam Copeland, Sophie Creamer
• Richard W. Brooks Memorial Fund: Corina Lowry
• The Richard Hersh and Judith Meyers Scholarship Fund: Jack Gardner, Eva Tortora
• Stephen Looney Scholarship: Tea Gambardella, Daniel Perez Betancur
• Stuart D. Burt Scholarship: Alexandra Goetz

Guilford Institute Prizes

• Elizabeth Leete Award: Amy Shi
• Helen Bergstresser Award: Patrick McGrath

Information about The Guilford Foundation scholarship funds and the application process is available on the Guilford Foundation website.