Guilford ABC hosted a weekend of activities to celebrate 50 years of our program, current scholars and alumnae. The centerpiece of the weekend was a benefit concert on October 19, 2024, at the Guilford High School Performing Arts Center.
All the way from London, Mo Pleasure returned to his hometown to headline the concert, which also featured students from the GHS Music Department, including GHS Voices directed by special guest Angela Clemmons, and emcees Stephanie Simoni and Roger Susanin from WFSB.
Mo Pleasure is a former member and musical director of the renowned Earth, Wind & Fire. He also served as musical director for Bette Midler, and has collaborated with artists such as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Roberta Flack, Michael Jackson and David Foster, to name just a few.
Angela Clemmons, in addition to leading the hugely popular Shoreline Soul choir for over 20 years has also worked with Aretha Franklin, Celine Dion, Elton John, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, and many more.
Additional events for the Alumnae included a lunch at the Guilford ABC House with the current Scholars. There was also a tour of the high school and a brunch at the Guilford Mooring with the Board of Directors and current Scholars.
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
photos by Kerry Schutz Photography
GABC 50th Anniversary Sponsors
Special Guest Sponsors
Christopher Balestracci
Jonathan & Nancy Bishop
Gene & Jane Bishop
Attorney Lou Federici
Jerry’s Transmission
Jan Brissette and Albert Kraus
Cindy Metrose and Joe Mirrione
Robert and Deborah Montenegro
Leigh Whiteman/Raveis
Carol Wright
Chatice Yarborough
In-Kind Supporters
Bishops
College Matters
The Estate Artists
Folklore Flowers
Guilford Racquet and Swim Club
Kerry Schutz Photography
Elizabeth Kozarec Architect
Legacy Theatre
Mary’s Culinary Classes
Soundview Family YMCA
Wilbur & King Landscaping
Zuse
Presenting Sponsor
The Eveland Family
Lead Sponsors
Guilford Foundation/Guilford Savings Bank
Larry Dowler/Ellen Rosand
Withers Bergman, LLC
Patron Sponsors
Robert Jaeger
Sue and Matt Kornguth
Watering Pond Foundation
West Hartford Lock
Friend Sponsors
Campaigne Kestner Architects
Guilford Racquet and Swim Club
Robert Leitze, Esq.
Salon Zena
Yankee Equipment Systems & Eileen and Peter Limoncelli
With deep gratitude to Martha and Terry Maguire,Pam and David Harding, and the M.J. Petretto Foundationfor their ongoing generous support.
SPECIAL THANKS
To these organizations and individuals for their support of and commitment to the ABC program, and for helping us organize and celebrate our 50th anniversary. We are most grateful!
GHS Music Department
Mark Gahm
Rachael Allen
Chris Jones
Guilford High School
Nick Ripa
Ben Copleman
Joel Rebhun
Elisa Milano
Herman Solivan and the Facilities staff at GHS
Cara Mulqueen Teasdale
Guilford Anniversary Committee
Laura Berkowitz Gilbert, Jeff Zeitlin, Judy Wright, Georgia Cosgrove,
Marie Berry, Lori Harris, Cheryl McPherson, Maria Brown
With Support From
Abby Goodman
Jen Payne, Words by Jen
Celebrating the Spirit of Guilford A Better Chance
The quilt patches you see in the 50th Anniversary graphics were designed to capture the spirit of Guilford A Better Chance.
The eight colorful quilt patches, designed especially for our 50th anniversary, are more than just pretty patterns. They are infused with meaning.
The patterns were created based on the individual interests of each student.
Laura Berkowitz Gilbert, a trained graphic designer, talked with each student to get a sense of their unique interests or point of view and developed a design accordingly.
The concept of a quilt perfectly captures the spirit of the Guilford ABC house. A quilt is made up of smaller fabric pieces of different patterns that are arranged in an intricate layout and stitched together to make a cohesive glorious blanket known as a patchwork quilt.
So too, our scholars arrive from diverse backgrounds and hometowns to live together at the GABC house. As they spend time together in school and in the Guilford community, they form tight bonds that will last a lifetime.
As you see with all of our alumnae that are here tonight, those bonds, some lasting 50 years, are still strong!
Guilford ABC 