Naugatuck Valley Community College hosted its ninth annual Principal to President Scholars Awards Ceremony in Technology Hall Dining Room on June 6, 2016.  The scholarship program is available to selected students from among the public and private high schools in our region. The program bridges the relationship between the region’s high schools and NVCC.  It defines the College and college education, as a whole, and as a point of destination for our young people.  Founded in 2008 by President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., the NVCC Presidential Scholarships encourage high school seniors to expand their horizons and explore choices for future post-secondary education in the liberal arts and professional programs.

Fourteen students from seven area high schools received scholarships. Many students were accompanied by their parents. High school representatives who attended to support their students included Stacey Butkus, Principal and Shelley Visinski, Guidance Counselor,  both from  Henry Abbott Technical High School; and Phyllis Bartoli, Assistant Principal of W. F. Kaynor Technical High School.

The program was opened by NVCC Dean of Student Services, Sarah Gager who reflected on student life at NVCC. Dean Gager heralded the program as a great way for students to “get know what college is like.”  Professor William Foster III welcomed and congratulated the students and gave them an idea of how the college experience is different from high school.  The presentation of certificates to the students by NVCC President Daisy De Filippis and James Troup, Provost and Senior Dean of Administration, allowed for students and their parents to be individually photographed receiving their award.

Students Zoe Beckley, Lougina Legerme and Joshua Somma from  Kaynor Technical High School; Gina Block, Idacia Miles and Alison Ternig from Waterbury Arts Magnet School; Jessica Butkus, Carlin Hausmann and Justin Mathew from Henry Abbott High School;  Caitlin Galbraith and Sahara-Shekinah Gutierrez from Danbury High School;  Kathian Nazario from Crosby High School;  Michael Dalton from Nonnewaug High School; and Hayden Bartlett from Woodland High School were present to receive awards and accept photos.