CHELSEA COHEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
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Cohen Scholarship Recipients Named for 2020
Norwalk High’s Giselle Vigil and Brien McMahon’s Jocelyn Lister each receive $3,000 grants
July 15, 2020 — The Fairfield County Sports Commission announced the recipients of its 2020 Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes a female scholar/athlete who is a graduating senior from Norwalk’s high schools with a financial award toward higher education.
Two winners were selected this year with Norwalk High’s Giselle Vigil and Brien McMahon’s Jocelyn Lister each receiving a $3,000 grant as support for their college freshman year this fall. The $6,000 total amount is the most that FCSC has awarded in the four-year history of the scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate that best exemplifies the spirit and qualities of the late Chelsea Cohen, a graduate of NHS who passed away after a long bout with cancer in 2006 and whose name is memorialized through FCSC’s annual Courage Award. Criteria for nomination includes academic honors, participation in one or more varsity level sports, community service and displaying high levels of sportsmanship, leadership and character. UnitedHealthcare sponsors the scholarship along with the Courage Award and Fitness Academy named for Chelsea.
Started by FCSC in 2017, the scholarship went to two student/athletes, one each from McMahon (Bella Bean) and Norwalk High (Sarah St. Surin), who both received $2,500 grants. McMahon’s Savannah Buzzeo in 2018 and NHS’s Stephany Escalante in 2019 each were awarded $5,000.
“I am so incredibly proud that this scholarship not only keeps Chelsea’s spirit and memory alive, but continues to help female scholar athletes achieve the high goals that Chelsea set for herself,” said Chelsea’s mother Barbara Rittner. “Jocelyn and Giselle clearly have the same ideals and the spark that set Chelsea apart. I am confident they both will carry on Chelsea’s name with honor and pride”.
Lister
Lister, who will be attending the University of Maryland, is a four-year high honors student with a 4.11 GPA and has been a National Honor Society member since 2018. She has received numerous accolades for her work in International education programs, including participating in the CIEE High School Summer Immersion in Shanghai, China in 2018. Jocelyn also was Student Advisory Council class treasurer all four years at McMahon.
She was a senior captain for the girls’ soccer team and a two-year captain of the girls’ track program. She made All-FCIAC First Team as a member of the 4×100 relay team in 2018-2019.
Jocelyn has been a Circle of Friends Teen volunteer from 2015-20 and a member of the McMahon BKind Club for four years. Since age 13, she also has found time to be a certified youth soccer referee.
Vigil
Vigil will be continuing her education at the University of Connecticut. She was a high honor roll student for all of her semesters at NHS and had a 3.9 GPA. A member of the French National Honor Society, she received the school’s Distinguished Student Award in 2018.
She played soccer for the Lady Bears from 2017-2019 and was the recipient of the Coach’s Award in 2018. Giselle was named a News 12 Scholar Athlete in 2019.
Giselle has dedicated time to community service through Norwalk High’s Key Club and buildon Club, as a tutor for the Building One Community program and volunteering for Filling in the Blanks, which fights childhood hunger by providing meals to youngsters in need on weekends.
Cohen Scholarship Recipient Named
Norwalk High’s Stephany Escalante Awarded $5,000 for College Education Financial Support
May 28, 2019 — The Fairfield County Sports Commission announced today the recipient of its 2019 Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes a female scholar/athlete who is a graduating senior from Norwalk’s high schools with a financial award toward higher education.
Norwalk High’s Stephany Escalante was named as the winner and she will receive a $5,000 grant as support for her college freshman year this fall.
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate that best exemplifies the spirit and qualities of the late Chelsea Cohen, a graduate of NHS who passed away after a long bout with cancer in 2006 and whose name is memorialized through FCSC’s annual Courage Award. Criteria for nomination included academic honors, participation in one or more varsity level sports, community service and displaying high levels of sportsmanship, leadership and character. UnitedHealthcare sponsors the scholarship along with the Courage Award and Fitness Academy named for Chelsea.
Last year’s recipient was McMahon’s Savannah Buzzeo. The award was started by FCSC in 2017 with two winners, one each from McMahon (Bella Bean) and Norwalk High (Sarah St. Surin), who both received $2,500 grants.
“It was a very difficult choice again this year. The candidates were all extremely accomplished young women, top scholars, well rounded athletes and involved in their communities,” said Chelsea’s mother Barbara Rittner. “Stephany stood out with her emotional maturity, attitude towards life, insightfulness, and best exemplified the character that rallied a community behind Chelsea in her battle and that continues to honor her memory. Stephany is a natural leader, has a sense of humor and strives to be the best she can be. I am so pleased to have such a wonderful young woman win this award in my daughter’s name.”
Escalante, who will be attending Albright College in Reading, PA, is a four-year high honors student and two-year member of the National Honor Society. She played four years of soccer for the Bears and was captain her senior season. She plans to continue her soccer career at Division III Albright. Stephany also was a sprinter in the dash events on the varsity outdoor track team her junior year.
Spending time giving back to her community has been a focus for Escalante. She volunteers at the New Beginnings Community Church and especially enjoys her meaningful work at Malta House, which provides care for babies of single mothers, who also need a home and employment. In addition, she holds a part-time job serving ice cream at one of Norwalk’s shops.
Cohen Honorees Head Off to College
Aug. 30, 2018 — Our three Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship winners got together at the Carver Center in Norwalk for a photo before heading off to college last week.
From left, 2017 co-winners Sarah St. Surin (UMass-Boston) and Bella Bean (Univ. of Virginia) and 2018 recipient Savannah Buzzeo (Lehigh). The Carver is the home for the Chelsea Cohen Fitness Academy.
2018 CHELSEA COHEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT NAMED
McMahon’s Savannah Buzzeo Awarded $5,000 for College Education Financial Support
May 28, 2018 — The Fairfield County Sports Commission has announced the recipient of its 2018 Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes a female scholar-athlete who is a graduating senior from Norwalk’s high schools with a financial award toward higher education.
Brien McMahon’s Savannah Buzzeo was named as the winner and she will receive a $5,000 grant as support for her college freshman year this fall.
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate that best exemplifies the spirit and qualities of the late Chelsea Cohen, a graduate of NHS who passed away in 2006 and whose name is memorialized through FCSC’s annual Courage Award. Criteria for nomination included academic honors, participation in one or more varsity level sports, community service and displaying high levels of sportsmanship, leadership and character.
“This scholarship is a wonderful tribute to Chelsea and keeps her spirit and memory alive,” said Chelsea’s mother, Barbara Rittner. “This year’s candidates were all exceptional scholar-athletes and the decision was most difficult. Savannah just had that special spark that set Chelsea apart. We hope this scholarship will help Savannah in her quest to save the planet!”
The award was started last year with two recipients, one each from McMahon (Bella Bean) and Norwalk High (Sarah St. Surin), who both received $2,500 grants.
“After launching the scholarship in 2017 in Chelsea’s honor by recognizing two terrific young ladies representing each of Norwalk’s high schools, we are now taking the next step to grow the award. By increasing the amount of financial support, we want to have greater impact in aiding one student-athlete every year who is striving to succeed in college in the next big challenge of her life,” remarked FCSC Executive Director Tom Chiappetta. “Savannah is an ideal selection and we are pleased to be able to help her continue her successful journey.”
Buzzeo, who will be attending Lehigh University, is a four-year high-honors student and member of the National Honor Society. She played multiple sports for the Senators, including four years on the outdoor track and field team and three with the volleyball squad. In addition she ran cross country as a senior and was a basketball player for two seasons. Savannah, who was a two-year captain of both the outdoor and indoor track teams, was the CIAC’s Female Scholar Athlete of the Year for McMahon.
One of the top javelin throwers in the state, Savannah just won the FCIAC title at the recent outdoor meet and placed second in the Class LL states as a junior. She qualified for the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in 2017 as one of the country’s top 36 high schoolers in her event and will be returning to compete there in mid-June.
Buzzeo also has been active in giving back to her school and community by acting as a mentor and tutor. For three years she has participated in McMahon’s Best Buddies chapter, which matches students with developmentally and intellectually challenged students in their school in order to relieve the social isolation felt by many students with special needs.
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From left, Savannah poses with Sarah St. Surin, one of last year’s first recipients of the scholarship; Chelsea’s mother Barbara Rittner greets Savannah at a dinner where the FCSC and the Rittners met the Buzzeos to welcome them to the scholarship family; A family portrait at the dinner celebrating the FCSC’s support for Savannah’s next big step in life, heading off to Lehigh University. (Click on images to enlarge)
FIRST CHELSEA COHEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS NAMED
Norwalk High’s Sarah St. Surin, McMahon’s Isabella Bean Awarded $2,500 Each for College Education Financial Support
May 23, 2017 – The Fairfield County Sports Commission announced today the first recipients of its Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes a female scholar/athlete who is a graduating senior from Norwalk high schools with a financial award toward higher education.
Norwalk High’s Sarah St. Surin and Brien McMahon’s Isabella Bean were named as the two winners and each will receive a $2,500 grant as support for their college freshman year this fall.
The scholarship is awarded to the candidate that best exemplifies the spirit and qualities of the late Chelsea Cohen, a graduate of NHS who passed away in 2006 and whose name is memorialized through FCSC’s annual Courage Award. Criteria for nomination included academic honors, participation in one or more varsity level sports, community service and displaying high levels of sportsmanship, leadership and character.
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- Sarah St. Surin
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- Isabella Bean
“There have been many tributes to Chelsea over the years, but this scholarship is exceptionally meaningful, ” said Chelsea’s mother Barbara Rittner. “To recognize someone who most exemplifies Chelsea, her spirit, her drive, her accomplishments, this not only rewards the recipients but reminds us of Chelsea and why her story stays alive. The scholarship winners this year, Sarah and Bella, are remarkable young women who in addition to all their academic, civic and athletic accomplishments have that “special spark” like Chelsea had. ”
For the first year the Commission felt it was important to recognize a winner from both schools to have each fully engaged at the start. Going forward the scholarship amount will be raised to $5,000 for one student/athlete from either NHS or BMHS.
“We believe that in taking this next step to keep Chelsea’s legacy vibrant and relevant the scholarship will have a strong impact for young women in Norwalk striving to succeed in college both in the classroom and on the field of play,” remarked FCSC Executive Director Tom Chiappetta. “Providing significant financial support to that end is another key role the Commission can play in meeting our mission and goals.”
Bean, who will be attending the University of Virginia, is a four-year high honor roll student and was a two-year captain of the lacrosse team as a four-year starter and captained the soccer side her senior year. She worked at Horizons in New Canaan the last two years as a second grade tutor for the summer program there.
St. Surin, who is headed for UMass Boston, was a four-year starter for the basketball team and captain as a senior. She is also a high honors student as well as a talented musician and serves as a volunteer coach and summer counselor at the Carver Center in Norwalk.
Chelsea Cohen Scholarship award to go to top female athlete from Norwalk, McMahon
NORWALK HOUR – December 22, 2016
By John Nash
NORWALK — Chelsea Cohen was the kind of athlete who could really make a difference every time she stepped on the field.
Since her tragic death from cancer in 2006, just months after she graduated from Norwalk High, the name Chelsea Cohen lives on through a variety of projects and honors undertaken and led by the Fairfield County Sports Commission.
The latest step in keeping Cohen’s spirit alive and well in her home city is this week’s announcement of the first Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship, which will be given to a graduating female senior student-athlete from Brien McMahon or Norwalk High.
The first Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship winners Sarah St. Surin (left) and Bella Bean (right) pose with FCSC Executive Director Tom Chiappetta.
This year, two scholarships, for $2,500 each, will be awarded: one to a McMahon student, one to a Norwalk High student.
In the future, a single $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student-athlete from either school.
“To recognize Chelsea, to keep her memory and spirit alive is so meaningful and I cannot put into words how touched I am,” Barbara Rittner, Chelsea’s mother, wrote in an email from Singapore, where she is currently living. “To award a scholarship to a student-athlete who exemplifies Chelsea is a great honor. The scholarship will inspire the recipient to strive to be the best they can be to help them reach their dreams. Chelsea will be smiling on them.”
Criteria to receive the scholarship will include academic honors and success, participation in one or more varsity-level sports, and the student-athlete’s ability to exemplify sportsmanship, leadership and excellent character.
“I think it’s a fabulous idea,” Norwalk athletic director Doug Marchetti said. “The fact we can honor a very special young lady here in Norwalk, who was such an inspiration to so many people, and to keep her name alive is something really special.”
According to Fairfield County Sports Commission executive director Tom Chiappetta, he hopes to model the Chelsea Cohen Scholarship after Stamford’s Allyson Rioux Award — which is given to the top female student-athlete in that city and has grown over the years.
Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship Overview
The Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship recognizes a top female scholar and athlete from Norwalk with a financial award towards higher education.
Criteria for nomination:
- Academic honors
- Participation in one or more Varsity level high school sports or teams
- Nominee must exemplify sportsmanship, leadership, excellent character and athletic prowess
Eligible candidates must be a graduating senior at Brien McMahon or Norwalk High School. Schools will recommend candidates for consideration.
A Scholarship Selection Committee will conduct personal interviews and determine the winner of the Chelsea Cohen Memorial Scholarship.Preferential consideration will be given to applicants who are also involved in activities such as music, theater and community service.
Upon successful completion of their senior year of high school and upon choosing to continue their education at a four-year accredited college or university, the scholarship is made available to the award recipients to assist with that further education.The recipient receives a $5,000 grant toward their college education.