Darien Soundings

FACES: Darien REALTORS® Congratulate 7 Scholarship Recipients!

Darien Teens Win Big! CT REALTORS® FOUNDATION Awards $45,000 in Scholarships - 2020 RAYMOND F. GATES Jr. MEMORIAL Scholarship Winners Announced

DARIEN, CT July 2, 2020 - The Connecticut REALTORS® Foundation announced their 2020 Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship winners. The Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1976 in memory of Raymond F. Gates, Jr. following his tragic death in an automobile accident. Mr. Gates was the Executive Vice President of the Connecticut REALTORS®. Over the past 44 years, children of REALTORS® have been awarded scholarships totaling more than $1,000,000.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, the Connecticut REALTORS® Foundation received 121 eligible applications. This year, 45 outstanding children of CT REALTORS® were selected to receive a total of $45,000 in scholarships.

The Darien Board of REALTORS is proud to announce a record breaking seven Darien teens were among the 45 selected. Congratulations to all!

The Foundation is pleased to highlight scholarships that are being awarded in honor of CT REALTORS® Past Presidents who have recently passed away. Avery Bonner has been selected to receive this year's tribute scholarship in memory Larry Story, 1996 CTR Past President from the New Canaan Board of REALTORS® and former, longtime resident of Darien -may he rest in peace.

Avery Bonner, Student Recipient (L), Karen Bonner, REALTOR Mom (R)
Avery Bonner is a 2020 graduate of Darien High School. She will attend the University of Michigan to study Math and Economics in the Honors Program. Avery hopes to utilize her degree in either the Financial Markets or Aerospace and Defense. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) and achieved Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Examination. Outside of academic life, Avery stayed busy assisting University of Connecticut graduate students with Psychological Sciences research, was a Domus Kids math tutor for high school students, a camp counselor, Treasurer of SADD, a Latin Club officer and a member of the Cross Country team. She is the daughter of Karen Bonner, a REALTOR® with Halstead CT.

Brendan Ferguson, Student Recipient (L), Bill Ferguson, REALTOR Dad (R)
Brendan Ferguson is a 2020 Summa Cum Laude graduate from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Law. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and served as the President of Georgetown's Mock Trial program and the Treasurer of Georgetown's Public Speaking Club. This fall, he will be attending the NYU School of Law. After law school, he plans to work for a US Attorney's office and serve as a prosecutor. Brendan is the son of Bill Ferguson, a REALTOR® with Keller Williams Prestige Properties in Stamford.

Sara Littlefield, REALTOR Mom (L), "Noah" Pup (C), Jack Littlefield, Student Recipient (R)
Jack Littlefield currently attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a Computer Science Major. His main career goal is to become a professor in algebra. While maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA at RPI, he has participated in Coding & Community which taught basic web design t o students in the Troy area, IDEA (data science research group), RPI Crew Club Team and the Japanese Cultural Association. Jack is looking forward to working as a camp counselor this summer as the SAT/ACT Director and a Quickness Training Coach. He is the son of REALTOR® Sara Littlefield with Coldwell Banker.

Kristin Nemec, REALTOR Mom (L), Grace Nemec, Student Recipient (R)
Grace Nemec graduated from Sacred Heart Greenwich and will attend the University of Virginia to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Business. After college, she hopes to work for a private equity company that shares her value of collaboration and determination to make smart business decisions. With an impressive 4.04 GPA, Grace was on the Honor Roll throughout high school, a Gettysburg Book Award winner, a Conrad Challenge Innovator and an AP Scholar with Distinction. In addition to serving as Secretary of the Barat Foundation, Hearts for Africa Club Head and Voices Literary Magazine Editor in Chief, she also played Varsity Squash and JV/Varsity Field Hockey. Grace is the daughter of Kristin Nemec, a REALTOR® with Compass.

Halle Spataro, Student Recipient (L), Lauren Spataro, REALTOR Mom (R)
Halle Spataro is a 2020 graduate of Darien High School who will attend Bucknell University this Fall majoring in Environmental Sciences/Political Science. She plans to attend law school and would ultimately like to become an Environmental Attorney. Halle is a National , Latin National and National English Honor Society member, a Delta Kappa Nu Book Award and CIAC Scholar Athlete Award winner. She has been swimming for a club team since she was seven years old and served as Captain of the Varsity Swim Team. Halle founded her own volunteer club called Little Fish, managed the Boys Varsity Swim Team, was a Latin Club officer/President all while working part time and babysitting. She is the daughter of REALTOR® Lauren Spataro with Houlihan Lawrence.

James Terhune, Student Recipient
James Terhune attends Villanova University as a Physics major with a minor in Computer Science. His current career goal is to obtain a PhD in Physics and do research either at a university or private company. This summer, he will be doing computational physics research with one of the professors at Villanova. James has been on the Dean's List throughout college and is a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, the Physics Honors Society. He has also participated in the Villanova Club Water Polo Team as goalie, the Physics Club, completed a Website Developing internship, worked as a lifeguard and water polo coach and is an Eagle Scout. James is the son of REALTOR® Linda Terhune with Coldwell Banker.

Shannon Kelly (no photo available) graduates from Berkshire School this year. She will attend Santa Clara University in the Fall majoring in Economics. She wants to own her own business someday after watching her grandfather and father operate their family's local real estate brokerage for most of her life. Shannon was an Advanced Academic/Academic Award winner, receiving High Honors throughout most of her high school years and was inducted into the Cum Laude Society her senior year. Her extracurricular activities included Varsity Volleyball (Captain), JV Squash (Captain), JV Lacrosse (Captain), Green Key Society, Writing Center Head and Math Resources Center Aid along with working part time as a camp counselor. Shannon is the daughter of REALTOR® Jeffrey Kelly with Houlihan Lawrence.

PLACES: Darien Arts Center

Amy, a Darien native and the executive director of the Darien Arts Center has shared her experience and passion with this community for over 11 years. This art-based nonprofit organization serves to inspire all ages to practice art in every form. From music, to dance, to visual arts and theatre Amy and her small staff and wide-ranging team of volunteers at the Darien Arts Center welcome everybody.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Darien Arts Center worked vigilantly to create a program they call “Created in Place”. This additional program is a visual showcase for people to upload their artwork, drawings, and performance videos to be featured on their website.

HIGHLIGHTS: Summer Sales

Get outside and shop (safely) during our Summer Sales August 3rd to August 9th in downtown Darien! Enjoy the weather and help support local businesses. For more information, visit www.darienctchamber.com.