Submitted by Amy Giarnella
(June 5, 2025) — Haddam Killingworth High School held its Annual Scholarship Night on June 2, 2025. More than thirty members of the community joined Principal Donna Hayward, Assistant Principal Adam Apicella and Athletic Director Lynne Flint to present more than $82,000 in scholarships to HKHS students. Video of the event can be viewed at HKTV.
The entire list of presenters and awardees is as follows:
● Connie Bombaci Service Award was awarded to Margaret Robinson ~ presented by Heather Ferrer
● Haddam Historical Society Scholarships were awarded to Grace LaConte and Elias Lowrey ~ presented by Elizabeth Malloy and Susann Costa
● Nathaniel B. Field Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Jeffrey Thebeau, Ava Mazzotta, Margaret Robinson, Cody Robinson, Chase Lenart and Seanna Ruimerman ~ presented by Christiana and Marie Field
● Killingworth Scholarship Association Scholarships ~ presented by Tracy Plumley
○ Kathy Weiss Scholarship was awarded to Abby Sirignano
○ George and Mary Keithan Scholarships were awarded to Michael Perry, Clare Link, Trevor Dixon, Madalynn Catalano, Liem Criscuolo and Chase Lenart
○ General KSA Fund Scholarships were awarded to Bryce Leiberman and Claire Eighmy
● Gene W. Porter Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Jeffrey Thebeau ~ presented by Keith Porter and Elizabeth Craig
● HK Touchdown Club Scholarships were awarded to Trevor Dixon and Joseph Slane ~ presented by Laura Napierkowski
● Donna Galuardi Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Skylar Hale ~ presented by Tom Galuardi and Alison Turpin
● Killingworth Evergreen Garden Club Scholarship was awarded to Clare Link ~ presented by Lise Brule, Denise Slater, and Roslyn Reeps
● CT Street Rod Association Scholarship was awarded to Justin Nieliwocki ~ presented by Tom Lambert
● Mountainside Brighter Future College Scholarship was awarded to Madalynn Catalano ~ presented by John Steele
● Huscher Team – “Love My Hometown” Scholarship was awarded to Matthew Lara ~ presented by Tanya Bottaro
● Jason Lantieri Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Grace LaConte ~ presented by Stephen Haeckel
● John McCormack Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Abby Sirignano ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● HKYFS Ignite Prevention Scholarship was awarded to Caley Napoletano ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Terrie Lusis Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Molly O’Neal ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Marjorie Kirk Ullrich Scholarship for Excellence in the Fine Arts, offered through the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, was awarded to Jayani Bennett ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Laura K. Englebright Education Awards, offered through the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, were awarded to Abby Sirignano and Clare Link ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Melissa J. Schlag Good Citizenship Education Award, offered through the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, was awarded to Saige Merwin ~ presented by Tanja Moriarty
● Haddam Women’s Club ~ Amanda June Lisitano Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ava Mazzotta ~ presented by Kate Brencher
● HK Hall of Fame Student Civic Achievement Awards were awarded to Ava Loughlin, Keira Sehl-Albert and Jeffrey Thebeau ~ presented by Elaine Jackson
● Haddam Volunteer Fire Auxiliary Scholarship was awarded to William Stolen ~ presented by Elaine Jackson
● Ed Staskelunas IV Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Molly O’Neal and Larson McLaughlin ~ presented by Athletic Director Flint
● Carrie Ann Ness Field Hockey Scholarships were awarded to Ava Ramino and Madalynn Catalano ~ presented by Athletic Director Flint
● James S. Larkin Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Caley Napoletano ~ presented by Athletic Director Flint
● Cougar Pride Scholarship was awarded to Lindsay Blade ~ presented by Athletic Director Flint
● Patsy Kamercia Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ava Ramino ~ presented by Athletic Director Flint and Michael Kamercia
● Jenna Seward Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Gabrielle Williams ~ presented by Athletic Director Flint on behalf of Michael Seward
● Killingworth Ambulance Association Scholarships were awarded to Chase Lenart and Madalynn Catalano ~ presented by Mary Robbenhaar-Fretz on behalf of Clark Judge
● Haddam Scholarship Fund Awards ~ presented by Alyson Campbell and Joanne Lund
○ Gary Courtright Award was awarded to Liam Brown
○ Dr. Kate Mead Award was awarded to Keira Sehl-Albert
○ John A. Bertolini Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ava Ramino
○ Haddam Scholarship Fund grants were awarded to Liam Brown, Grace LaConte, Colin
Mitchell and Molly O’Neal
● Joseph Parmelee Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Jamie House and Ava Mazzotta ~ presented by Melissa Steinhilper and Jonathan Grasso
● Killingworth Women’s Organization Scholarship was awarded to Jayani Bennett ~ presented by Laura Traver
● Haddam Garden Club Scholarship was awarded to Amelia Petersen ~ presented by Lynda Birch
● HK Little League Scholarships were awarded to Colton Merola and Claire Eighmy ~ presented by Lauren Perley and Cailey Anderson
● HK Little League Robb Prchal Community Service Awards were awarded to Bella Infante and Caley Napoletano ~ presented by Cailey Anderson and Lauren Perley
● HK Travel Basketball Scholarships were awarded to Ava Ramino, Joseph Slane, Cody Robinson and Margaret Robinson ~ presented by Cailey Anderson
● Haddam Club 60 Scholarship was awarded to Jeffrey Thebeau ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Eileen Mills Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Sarah Bradley ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Henry Hollister Robinson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Margaret Robinson ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Purdy Family Technology Education/Engineering Scholarship was awarded to Larson McLaughlin ~ presented by Principal Hayward
● Gianna Rose Vincelett Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Jordan Duncanson ~ presented by Principal Hayward on behalf of Skip and Debby Vincelett
● Killingworth Lions Club Service Achievement Award was awarded to Clare Link ~ presented by Principal Hayward
