Past Recipients

2010 Scholarship Recipients a total of thirty very deserving students were awarded $73,000. We'd like to share these great kids stories with you.

	Peter Arahovits Stamford, CT Norwalk Community College Peter is a graduate of Stamford High School and a first-time Susan Fund recipient. He plans to attend Norwalk Community College in the second semester, following a period of isolation related to his second stem cell transplant. Peter is interested in pursuing a career in architecture. Despite his bouts with cancer, he has an incredibly positive spirit and shows a focus for a field that will suit his talents well.		Jamison Buchanan Darien, CT Wheelock College Jamie is new to the Susan Fund and a graduate of Darien High School. She was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2007, but is well today. The people she met during her treatment and recovery had a profound effect on her life. Jamie plans to pursue a career as a child-life specialist and would like to have the same impact by working with pediatric cancer patients.
	Lauren Busser Newtown, CT Sarah Lawrence College Lauren is a second-time Susan Fund recipient and a long-term cancer survivor. She has shifted her academic focus from art to writing and plans to explore narrative writing this year. Lauren’s intelligence, perseverance, upbeat spirit and artistic flair contribute to her ability to succeed in whatever path she travels.		Christine Canapetti Trumbull, CT Southern Connecticut State University Chrissy, a graduate of Trumbull High School, is a new Susan Fund recipient and a long-term cancer survivor. Her experience with cancer is shaping the direction for her life. She would like to be either a nurse or a doctor. Always looking to give back, Chrissy has given speeches about her experience to help others who have cancer. She eloquently describes life as being about connections and choices.
	Christina Carpanzano Stamford, CT Rider College Christina is a first-time Susan Fund recipient and graduate of Trinity Catholic High School. Christina would like be a singer in musical theater. In her treatment for thyroid cancer, the doctor took great care to preserve her vocal cords so she could pursue her dream. Christina has started a program to fund research for children’s cancer called Jump 4 A Cure. She has sung at a children’s hospital and spent time sharing her story with the young patients.		Joseph Caruso Trumbull, CT Roger Williams University Joe is a second-time Susan Fund recipient and a long-time cancer survivor. He is preparing for his second year at Roger Williams, where he is majoring in Finance. Joe is on the Dean’s list and earned a 3.4 GPA. His favorite fundraiser is a Family Fun Day, where he and his family help cook breakfast and lunch for roughly 800 people who walk or run to raise money for The Tommy Fund.
	Jackson Connor Trumbull, CT Jackson is a second-time Susan Fund recipient. He is majoring in Journalism and is a Dean’s list student. He has well-rounded interests that make him a strong student and a leader among his peers. Jackson's writing is excellent; his recent focus has been on the arts interviewing filmmakers, actors and comedians on both the local and national level.		Bradley Davis Old Greenwich, CT Loyola Marymount University Brad is a graduate of Greenwich High School and a first-time Susan Fund recipient. He has taken his experience with cancer and turned it into an opportunity to help others. After his diagnosis, he started The BRAD Fund, (Benefiting Research Achieving Dreams), which supports cancer research and enhances the lives of children with life threatening illnesses. Brad would like to study Sociology; his ultimate goal is to enter the field of public service.
	Samantha Dommermuth New Fairfield, CT Temple University Samantha has been a recipient of Susan Fund awards throughout her undergraduate career and is now working to earn her graduate degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She hopes to receive a degree and certification in December of 2011. Samantha’s ultimate goal is to work with children with autism. She recognizes that the ability to communicate is vital and feels that she can have a positive impact on children’s lives.		Christina Ercole Newtown, CT Fairfield University Christina is a five-time Susan Fund recipient. Her experience of having cancer has directed the focus of her career. She is studying the psychology of children who have undergone treatment for cancer. Christina is a brilliant student and will make a profound difference in the lives of the cancer survivors she will work with. Her letter of reference stated, “She will be a leader because of her personality, time management skills and ability.”
	Andrew Fedor Norwalk, CT Southern Connecticut State University Andrew is an Anthropology major and will graduate in the fall of 2011. His professors have described him as being motivated and engaged in his work. After earning his degree, Andrew hopes to travel around the world and study different cultures. He continues to have a passion for skateboarding and enjoys giving younger children lessons at Calf Pasture Park in Norwalk.		Marc Friedman Monroe, CT Marist College Marc is second-year recipient of the Susan Fund. His goal is to graduate with a degree in Communications with a concentration in Advertising. At Marist he is a Dean’s List student and a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team. This fall, Marc will be a member of the peer mentor program which helps new students adapt to their college surroundings.
	Eric Goldschmidt Westport, CT Maryland Institute College of Art This is Eric's fourth Susan Fund scholarship. He is working towards a BFA Degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Eric has demonstrated heroic persistence in pursuing his studies despite the reoccurrence of his cancer. He looks forward to becoming a working artist using all the skills and creative ideas he acquired in his studio classes at college.		Mackensie Griffin Trumbull, CT New York University Mackensie is a returning Susan Fund recipient and a recent graduate of Bard College. She has a passion for all things related to food and culinary practices. Mackensie is attending graduate school this fall as a Food Studies major and plans to become a food writer/critic. This summer, Mackensie was employed as a writer for an online community newspaper called Patch.com and spent time in Ireland working on an organic farm.
	Brandon Held Monroe, CT University of Connecticut Brandon is a four-time Susan Fund recipient and is majoring in Accounting. He has been president of his fraternity and has also volunteered at many philanthropic events. Brandon is an excellent student and an amazing leader. This summer, he worked as an intern for Deloitte and Touche. Upon graduation, he plans to become a certified public accountant.		Kerri Holbrook Bethel, CT Villanova University Kerri is a first-time Susan Fund recipient and is a graduate of Immaculate High School in Danbury. Despite the many challenges her cancer presented, Kerri was unstoppable and earned numerous awards for leadership, academics and sports. Kerri will be a Communications major at Villanova and hopes to work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation after earning her college degree.
	Daniel Ladenheim Wilton, CT Carnegie Mellon University Daniel will be a senior this fall. He is an A student and is majoring in Information Systems and Human Computer Interaction with a minor in Computer Science. Last year he was a teaching assistant for Introductory Programming. Daniel’s goal is to learn how to make technology-related products more user-friendly. This past summer, he was a data software intern at Citicorp in New York City.		Shane McCarthy Newtown, CT American University Shane is in his senior year. He spent last spring semester studying in London and was able to travel around Europe. Shane has also served as an intern in Washington, DC for the Council for the National Interest, which dealt with foreign policy in the Middle East. Shane plans to attend graduate school in order to further his international education.
	Brian Morais Shelton, CT Sacred Heart Universityt Brian is a second-time Susan Fund recipient. He is in his sophomore year and would like to pursue a career in the medical field. Brian volunteers as an EMT and continues to volunteer at the Shelton Food Bank. While attending Sacred Heart, Brian works 20 hours a week at TDBank. His employer described him as a “wonderful, hard-working individual who accomplishes his assignments in a timely and effective manner.”		Lauren Pade Newtown, CT Western Connecticut State University Lauren is a first-time scholarship recipient. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Quinnipiac University and is now working toward a degree in Nursing. She would like to specialize in oncology and eventually enter the field of administrative health care. Lauren has been described as an extremely dedicated and hard working student, who helps students in and out of the classroom.
	Dylan Pape Stamford, CT Norwalk Community College Dylan is a returning Susan Fund recipient. He attends Norwalk Community College and plans to enter their nursing program. Dylan would like to give back to the hospitals and the medical field which helped him during the course of his illness. In addition to attending college, he works as a garage attendant 25-30 hours a week.		Alexander Polyakov Norwalk, CT Tufts University Alexander is a recent graduate of St. Luke’s School in New Canaan and a first-time Susan Fund recipient. His family came to the U.S. from Russia when he was five. Alexander has formed a passion for the English language and his goal is to become a writer and possibly a college professor. He has been described as an intelligent person who makes the best of any situation.
	Donna Proudfoot Trumbull, CT The Fones School of Dental Hygiene, University of Bridgeport Donna is a first-time Susan Fund recipient. Her dream is to become a dental hygienist specializing in pediatrics. She is returning to school to pursue this goal after working in the banking industry for twenty years. Donna has volunteered at several nursing homes and is now organizing and running workshops in classrooms so teachers can spend more individual time with their students. Donna is the mother of a first grader.		Nicole Roberts Norwalk, CT Roger Williams University Nicole is a recent graduate of The Academy of Information Technology and Engineering and a first-time Susan Fund recipient. Her goal is to major in Biology. She plans to enter medical school and become an oncologist. Nicole’s volunteer activities include being a mentor at The Girls’ Challenge Program and working with campers at The Hole In the Wall Camp. She is an extraordinary young lady and a role model for her peers.
	Marion Smith Fairfield, CT University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth Marnie is a first-time Susan Fund scholarship recipient and a graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School. At UMASS, she plans to major in Textile Design and pursue a career in special education. Marnie has been a team captain for Relay For Life and has worked for Health In A Hurry. She has also helped to build homes in Appalachia and is a Junior Deacon at her church. She is bright and creative and dedicated to all that she does.		Martha Stout Southport, CT Emerson College Martha is a second-time scholarship recipient. She is in her second year at Emerson where she is majoring in Theater. Martha has stated that all she ever wanted to do in life was to be an actor on the stage. She is very passionate when discussing the opportunities she has studying acting, film and direction. Martha is bright, inquisitive, talented and a hard worker. She has been a volunteer at Builders Beyond Boarders.
	Ryan Van Zandt Fairfield, CT Western Connecticut State University Ryan is a first-time Susan Fund recipient. He is studying Exercise Science and plans to own his own gym. He would like to use that facility to help children with cancer. Ryan has been an eloquent spokesperson for Cancer Care, where he shares his experiences with children who have had cancer. Ryan has been described as someone who possesses a high degree of maturity and excellent work habits.		Neysa Vishinsky Bridgeport, CT The University of Connecticut Neysa is a first-time recipient of The Susan Fund scholarship and a recent graduate of Platt Technical High School. Neysa shared her life-long dream of attending college and has worked hard to attain her goal. She was class president during her junior and senior year, has participated in Habitat for Humanity, volunteered at Toys for Tots and taught dance to young children.
	Jacqueline Walters Old Greenwich, CT University of Vermont Jacqueline is a three-time Susan Fund recipient and is in her senior year. She is majoring in Early Childhood Development with a concentration in Psychology and Communication. Jackie plans to attend graduate school to continue her studies. Because of her strong interest in teaching, she has volunteered in a number of educational settings including the on-campus preschool and a camp in Montana for children with cancer.		James Zarifis Newtown, CT Southern Connecticut State University This is Jimmy’s second year as a Susan Fund scholarship recipient. He has a strong interest in sports and fitness and hopes to graduate with a degree in Exercise Science and Human Performance. Jimmy hopes to eventually own a center which specializes in fitness and physical therapy. He has created a website that reflects his interest in sports. This spring, Jimmy addressed the participants in the Relay For Life walk.

see 2011 Recipients    see 2009 Recipients