Grace Adams presents education scholarship to Mike Milano.
Back row: Deb Milano, Co-President, Diane Heriot and Sal Milano.

The 2011 Grace & Bill Adams Scholarship Fund Is Awarded to Mike Milano

On August 22, 2011, Grace Adams presented a $250 check to Mike Milano, son of Sal and Debbie Milano. Mike is pursuing a Criminal Justice degree at Bridgewater State University. Please read Mike's essay below.

What a Higher Education Will Do For Me

Now that I’m near the end of my senior year, I have set a new goal: to become a Police Officer. To help me complete that job to the best of my ability, I have been accepted at Bridgewater State University and will major in Criminal Justice. When I become a police officer, I would like to come back to the town I grew up in, Guilford CT, because I know the town and this will help me better perform my job. I know the local hangouts. I know the families. I know the issues the town faces. I want to become a police officer not to just make arrests, but to help people. My experiences with local law enforcement have been positive. For example, one time I was riding around in my friend’s car. We had the music turned up too loud and a police officer pulled us over. My friend had just got a new car and the car had a very loud sound system in it; the officer said he heard us coming a half a mile down the road. Instead of the officer giving us a $300 noise violation ticket, he talked to us and explained the law and why he pulled us over. He could have given us a very expensive ticket, but instead he gave us a warning and let us go. When he let us go, he made me want to become a police officer so that I could help kids like me when I am older. Another positive encounter with my local police force centered on a minor car accident. I was driving in the rain, and I did not see that the person in front of me had stopped. When I realized it, it was too late; I skidded into him. When the officer arrived and I explained the situation, he took into consideration that I was a new driver and only gave me a warning for following to close in dangerous situations. Now when I am driving, not just in the rain or snow, I make sure to leave a good distance between me and the driver in front of me so I don’t get into another accident.
Michael A Milano

 

PREVIOUS AWARDS:
The 2009 Grace & Bill Adams Scholarship Fund Was Awarded to Gil Gilloran

On January 9, 2010, Grace Adams presented a $250 check to Brian "Gil" Gilloran, who is pursuing a degree at St. Laurence College in Mass. He is the son of long-time residents, Brian and Sharon Gilloran. Below is Gil's letter to the Association, as well as a link to his essay.

Dear North End Colony,

It is hard to believe my first semester of college had already passed; It seems like just yesterday that I was walking along the beach asking various parents whether or not they could watch me while I was swimming. There is one thing I can guarantee, this will always be home. I can not even count the amount of time I spent swimming or skating on our lake, sometimes swimming when I meant to be skating. I still don't have the patience for the lake to be completely frozen. I am so grateful for this close knit community that we live in. I have learned countless things from my neighbors and have made lifelong friends. It feels amiss to ask anything more from a community that has given me so much. I would not be the man I am today had I not grown up in this neighborhood.

Over the next four years, I will spend the majority of time up at school, but I will be counting the days until the summers when I can be back in North End Colony. Already at St. Lawrence, I have learned an immense amount of things, mostly about myself. Many of the people in this neighborhood know me as a person and my character, but for those who do not; I have attached my final paper from my favorite course at St. Lawrence. The course was called Having an Impact through Leadership, Teamwork and Motivation. This class forced me to think dynamically about the impact I plan to make both at St. Lawrence and beyond. I feel this paper encompasses my personality and my plans for the future.

Thank You,
Brian Gilloran

Click here to download his complete essay.

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The 2008 recipient was Stephanie Gilloran, a sophomore at Southern CT State University, who is pursuing a degree in Early Education. Congrats Stephanie!

 

Photo Caption: Grace Adams presents education scholarship to Stephanie Gilloran.

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Scholarship Origins:

North End Colony Lake Association Names Scholarship Fund in Honor of Grace & Bill Adams

Grace Adams, former president of the NECLA of Guilford, began the scholarship fund in 1992 in order to reward neighborhood students for their pursuit in continuing education.

We are pleased to announce that the scholarship fund will be named in honor of Grace and Bill Adams, both of whom have dedicated many years of service to the Association.

Each year, neighborhood seniors will have an opportunity to receive the scholarship as they further their education.