Proud of Our Scholars

This winter, I had many reasons to be proud of the scholars. From helping others to entertaining the masses, they have given 100% effort and represented Guilford ABC with generosity and enthusiasm. Their empathy for those in need is genuine. They wanted to get more involved with giving back this year. A successful coat drive in New Haven helped many homeless people and gave us a chance to hear the stories of so many wonderful people. Working with board member Kyma Ganzer, the girls worked on a house in New Haven for Habitat for Humanity.

As you may have heard, The SpongeBob Musical was the spring musical at GHS. Andrea, Arianna, and I were lucky enough to see the fabulous production twice. Janelle not only made many of the props, but helped to run the house during the show like a professional. Jasmine danced and sang as numerous different types of fish and didn’t stop smiling the whole time she was on stage. Kilee knocked the role of Sandy the Squirrel out of the park with her dancing, singing, and acting. They felt the support and love of many family members, board members, and friends. I am so proud of them for their dedication, late nights practicing, and being part of such an active school organization.

As we head into the end of the school year, I know I will have many more moments to be proud of my scholars. t

Senior Arianna Alvarez Perez coordinated collection of over 160 coats that were distributed at Trinity Church on the Green’s Chapel on the Green in December .

The girls joined board member Kyma Ganzer and the New Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on a project with New Haven for Habitat for Humanity.

Spring is in the Air!

From Co-President Marie Berry

As we come across warmer weather, we can start to feel that Spring is in the air! Schedules are busy and spring activities are being planned. For our scholars, there will be a spring visit to Mystic Aquarium, new course selections for the coming year, GHS Junior and Senior proms in April and June, and the Guilford High School play returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. We were excited to have three ABC scholars in the play — including our own ABC junior, Kilee Simon, as one of the leads! Congratulations to our scholars for the dedicated effort and time they put into a wonderful production of the The SpongeBob Musical.

In addition, our scholars have excelled academically this year. We are proud to congratulate our Guilford ABC senior, Arianna Alvarez, who was inducted into the National Honor Society and has been accepted for early decision into her first college choice, Tufts University in Medford, MA with a full academic scholarship!

Our Guilford ABC Annual Appeal was sent out in December and generously supported by our donors despite the many challenges we are currently facing in our country. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the gifts we continue to receive, including grants from community organizations, and contributions to the College Education Fund at the Guilford Foundation which has exceeded expectations and ensures our ability to provide education funds for our eligible ABC graduates.

It’s that time of year. The MJ Petretto Foundation Golf Event is looking for foursomes at this year’s Golf Classic. It is on Monday, June 27 at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford. Details can be found at mjpfoundation.org. Please let us know if you will have a foursome or will have friends/family who would like to have a foursome. Any questions please contact: Jeff@ ajzeitlin@comcast.net.

As always, we also want to thank all our staff and volunteers, and our many sponsors and donors who continue to support our mission to provide an excellent quality high school education to our talented scholars. Donations are always welcome by visiting the Donations page on our website at guilfordabc.org. Enjoy your spring! t

Back-to-School at Guilford ABC

From Co-President Marie Berry

After a summer filled with family vacations, summer plans and outdoor Post-COVID activities, our returning scholars and new scholar, Andrea Kaluma, a sophomore from Belmont, MA arrived at the ABC House on September 6th. They were welcomed by our Resident Director, Lynn Prendergast, as their families helped them unpack. They are happy to be here and have settled in comfortably for the school year ahead.

Most of our scholars participated in high school summer academic programs and our senior, Arianna Alvarez Pena, went to Barcelona, Spain as part of a high school cultural exchange program with CIEE. They started the school year actively engaged in their academics and also visiting Host families, volunteering at Hole in The Wall and spent a fun-filled afternoon with ABC Madison playing outdoor games and enjoying pizza.

We also welcome back our after-school tutors, Sharon Risse and Heather Bracken. During the school week they provide academic support to our scholars 2:30-4:30pm daily. In addition, we welcome our new cook, Kathy Sharon, who started in October and is looking forward to creating delicious and healthy dinners. She has a culinary background, has operated a bed and breakfast and is excited to spend time getting to know our scholars as she prepares meals for the ABC house and dinner guests.

As we look ahead, we anticipate watching our scholars grow as they pursue their varied interests, manage their rigorous academic schedules, participate in many GHS activities and prepare for the college of their choice. As always, it takes a village, and we want to thank our many sponsors and donors who continue to support our mission to provide an excellent quality high school education to our talented scholars.

Donations are always welcome by visiting the Donations page.

We are excited to welcome back our scholars, staff and volunteers for the 2021-22 school year!

Leave a Gift to Guilford ABC

Leaving a gift to Guilford A Better Chance in your will or trust is a worry-free way to help sustain this program and memorialize the values that are important to you.

A bequest can have a profound impact on a small nonprofit like ours. Last year, thanks to one bequest, we were able to undertake a much-needed major kitchen renovation at the ABC house. This gift created a welcoming place for the scholars to gather and made meal preparation considerably easier and more efficient.

Please consider a gift to GABC when it is time to update your will or trust. Your legacy gift can make a lifetime of difference to our scholars. For more information, please contact Christine Dokko (cdokko@gmail.com) or Connie Dickinson (cdickinson240@gmail.com).

SAVE THE DATE! 45th Anniversary Gala

Save the date!
45th Anniversary Gala • May 5, 2022
Woodwinds, Branford

Information, Tickets, Sponsorships
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4408582

We are still in need of silent and live auction
items, particularly experience items such as
theater and concert tickets, vacation rentals,
or tasting events. Contact Patty Sullivan:
hiwabc@gmail.com, (203) 453-2088.

Summer Plans for Our Scholars

Rising senior Arianna Alvarez is traveling to Barcelona, Spain through CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) for four weeks of language and cultural immersion, living with a local host family.

Rising junior Janelle Wilkinson will spend two weeks at Colby College in Maine with EXPLO, accompanying doctors and nurses on their rounds, exploring a variety of medical specialties.

Rising junior Kilee Simon will attend At the Well Conference, focusing on leadership and college preparation. She will also attend the Writopia Lab essay writing program in New York City.

Rising sophomore Jasmine Laryea is attending an online program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, Pre-Medical Professions and the Health Sciences. She also plans to work at her mother’s restaurant and volunteer at a local food bank.

GABC Hosts an End of Year Beach Picnic

In June, the Guilford ABC scholars hosted a beach picnic with other CT ABC Houses from Darien, Westport, Madison and Simsbury. They planned a food truck offering various tacos, quesadillas and churros. Over 40 scholars and house resident staff attended and each house contributed beverages and desserts. They enjoyed a day at Chittendon Park where they had a fun afternoon of food, games, swimming and music! 

Guilford A Better Chance Annual Celebration

In May, we hosted our Annual A Better Chance Celebration, hosted at the home of one of our board members, Elisa Milano. The evening recognizes and celebrates our GABC graduating seniors and our alumnae as they share they experiences and uplifting stories! This year our guest speakers included Naralys Sinanis, ABC Alum & GHS class of 2002 and our GHS Principal, Julia Chaffe. It’s an opportunity for our board members, host families, donors and community supporters to join us in celebrating the many accomplishments of our program. It was our first in-person gathering for both our board and scholars in over a year. A reason alone to celebrate, post-pandemic.

Senior Lauren Cyrus speaks at the celebration.

Lisa Rogers, Naralys Sinanis (ABC Alum), Lauren Cyrus, Sherri Pranzo, Marie Berry, Cori Ouolette.

Elisa Milano, Lauren, and Kristen Eveland.

ABC guests enjoyed the early summer evening.

 Sherri Pranzo, Lauren and GHS Principal Julia Chaffe.

Bittersweet Year End

FROM Resident Director Lynn Pendergast

The year ended with a wonderful graduation celebration with Lauren’s family, teachers, and friends. Graduations are always bitter-sweet. Witnessing the transformation of our scholars into mature young women ready to make their mark in the world is immensely rewarding. As the resident director, I am very lucky to have the unique perspective of seeing their struggles, triumphs, accomplishments, and journey to success. 

This summer the house has been very quiet. The House and Grounds committee will be sprucing up and cleaning the house to get it ready for our returning scholars. The girls are busy with their summer programs and enjoying time with their families. I am looking forward to another successful school year and the return of the girls.

MJ Petretto Golf Event Supports GABC

Once again, MJ Petretto Annual golf event was held this June at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford. We had a great showing of Guilford ABC volunteers along with several others who enjoyed a day of golf, food and raffles. This golf event supports ABC and other local non-profits.  ABC foursomes were represented by ABC board members, Jeff Zeitlen, Kristen Eveland, Connie Dickinson, and our HIW manager, Patty Sullivan. Special thanks to MJ Petretto and staff for organizing such a wonderful event!