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STG named awards are created by donors in honor or in memory of a person, family, or organization. Established and funded by individuals, companies, civic groups and foundations, these awards – like all STG awards – benefit Staples High School graduates with demonstrated financial need.  Some awards are established by their donors to be directed towards students with specific accomplishments, interests, or academic pursuits.  Named awards are either endowed to fund grants in perpetuity, or funded annually with an initial minimum commitment of 4 years.

The below list of awards (listed alphabetically by last name) is a testament to the people, stories, and history of the incredible Westport community we call home.

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Grace K. Salmon Trust Award

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Grace K. Salmon Trust Award

Grace King Salmon was a founding member of the Westport Woman’s Club. At her in death in 1939, a trust was left in her name to benefit the town of Westport. Her many legacies include a park built on reclaimed land across the river from her house on Riverside Avenue, and an award established with Staples Tuition Grants.

John and Evelyn Santella Memorial Award

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John and Evelyn Santella Memorial Award

A noted Saugatuck couple, John (Chip) and Evelyn were ardent supporters of Festival Italiano from its early days. Years ago, when an earthquake devastated Italy, Chip helped bring young survivors to Disney World. He owned an accounting firm which his son Dominic now runs. Evelyn loved Compo Beach and doted on her three sons and her grandchildren. Her magnetic personality, sense of humor and carefree lifestyle drew in many people.

Lou Santella Memorial Scholarship Award

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Lou Santella Memorial Scholarship Award

A native of Westport, Lou’s day job was as a barber for 43 years on Riverside Avenue. The unofficial “Mayor of Saugatuck”, Lou worked tirelessly on local projects. He revived Festival Italiano and chaired many events for his church and the Sons of Italy. He mentored many people and befriended all.

Lee Frey Saveliff Award

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Lee Frey Saveliff Award

The Lee Frey Saveliff Award was established by the 2018 Staples Tuition Grants Committee to honor Lee for her dedication and above and beyond commitment to serving STG’s mission. Lee, a 1979 graduate of Staples, has spent most of her life giving back to Westport, her hometown community that she loves. Through her leadership and collaborative efforts on committees and boards, she has helped community organizations through their growth and transformation to become more efficient, more effective and in all cases, more fun! During Lee’s five years on the STG Committee as a board member, Donor Co-Chair and Co- President, Lee has redefined donor procedures, taken on the challenges of installing a new database and helped ensure that STG’s 75th Anniversary received the recognition that it deserved.

Schemel Family Award

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Schemel Family Award

Gibby Halloran and Phillip Schemel moved to Westport in 1993 shortly after they were married. Their daughter and son obtained outstanding educations in the Westport Public School system from kindergarten through Staples High School. Phillip served on the Staples Tuition Grants board, and has appreciated that endowed awards such as this one reduce student financial burdens so talented Staples students can pursue academic ambitions and become responsible and contributing members of their communities.

David L. Schmerzler Memorial Scholarship Award

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David L. Schmerzler Memorial Scholarship Award

David Schmerzler graduated from Staples High School in 1983 and attended Syracuse University, graduating in 1987.  He was a lifelong resident of both Westport and Fairfield who tragically passed away far too soon in 2019.  David was a man of diverse talents: an athlete, hunter, chef, skier, squash player and golfer.  His friendships were extensive and expansive, and he enjoyed the company of an incredibly large circle of friends with relationships that spanned decades.  His sense of humor was contagious and well-known; his zest for life unquenchable.  David was a larger-than-life character who charmed everyone he met.  His stories made tears run down your cheeks, and his laughter and love were infectious.  He was brash, zany, tough and brave, but most of all he was overflowing with love and humanity.

Doug Sheffer Memorial Award

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Doug Sheffer Memorial Award

Doug Sheffer, Staples Class of 1968, was active in Staples Players (Technical Staff) as well as the band and was a member of the wrestling team when it won the state championship. He was also a sailing instructor at Longshore Sailing School and a ski instructor for many years. He died in January 2014 while piloting his helicopter in Colorado. This award was renamed in his memory by his sister Ann Sheffer, Staples Class of 1966, and is funded by the Betty R. and Ralph Sheffer Foundation.

Speller Family Award

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Speller Family Award

The Speller Family of Westport wanted to remember their mother and Nonna, Phyllis Kendrick, who was a lifelong teacher and educator.  Phyllis was a public school teacher her entire adult life, teaching Pre-K through high school.  She gave everything to her students and believed that a higher education was the basic foundation for the rest of your life. Her limitless passion for educating and helping others leaves a great legacy as a teacher, mother, and member of her community.

Sportsmen of Westport

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Sportsmen of Westport

The Sportsmen of Westport recognizes individuals for outstanding athletic achievement and community service. Since 1961, the organization has honored scores of distinguished men and women who continue to give back to their sport long after they’ve stopped playing. The Sportsmen of Westport held an annual Dinner of Champions for decades to celebrate these citizens and to raise money to help athletic needs in the community. In 1975, the Board of Directors of the Sportsmen decided to use money raised from the annual dinner to fund scholarships for student athletes. From 1975-2012, the Sportsmen of Westport with the assistants of Staples Tuition Grants was able to help more than 180 individuals fund the cost of college.

Staples High School Alumni Award

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Staples High School Alumni Award

As Staples graduates, these donors can help fellow Staples graduates meet their own dreams by allowing them to close the gap on their tuition bills.

Staples High School Class of 1973 Award

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Staples High School Class of 1973 Award

The Staples High School Class of 1973 gathered in October 2023 to celebrate 50 years since graduation. The class shared stories and reminisced about the very special times at Staples and its reputation for celebrating and supporting the arts, individuality and excellence. Since many classmates went on to colleges, universities and technical schools to further their education, with some assisted by scholarships through Staples Tuition Grants, the class decided to donate part of the reunion fund to support the educational goals and cost gaps for today’s Staples graduates pursuing higher education. This Class of 1973 Award celebrates shared passions for visual arts, music, theatre and engineering.

Staples High School Class of 1981 Award

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Staples High School Class of 1981 Award

This class endured three years of construction and mud during the first modernization of Staples. They’re hardy and tight, gathering for reunions in between the official five-year dates. After their 30th reunion, the Class of 1981 donated funds to STG in honor of their enduring friendships. In addition, class leaders Andre Lambros and Aleda Warren inspired the class to keep giving so the SHS Class of 1981 award can be given annually.

Staples High School Class of 1982 Award

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Staples High School Class of 1982 Award

2022 marked 40 years of the “CREW of *82”.  The 40th reunion weekend was an opportunity to gather as a class to celebrate and commemorate our time together at SHS.  Reunion organizers, Dixie Webb O’Brien and Jeff Ruden planned the event as a celebration and fundraiser with a goal to raise enough funds to establish an endowed award for the class of 1982.  Thanks to many generous donors and one extremely generous donor, the fundraising goal was reached and exceeded-The Class of 1982 award is the first endowed award for a graduating SHS class.  The class hopes to continue fundraising, celebrating and growing the award in the years to come.

Staples High School Class of 2010 Award

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Staples High School Class of 2010 Award

The Staples High School Class of 2010 excelled in academics, sports and the arts. Their 10 year reunion was cut short due to COVID-19. In an effort to celebrate the 10 year reunion, STG board members Trevor Lally & Chelsea Kalt launched this award. 

Staples High School Class of 2025 Award

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Staples High School Class of 2025 Award

“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh.

With an annual donation of just $20.25 from class members, the Class of 2025 is determined to pay it forward by helping fellow SHS graduates realize their dreams of attending college. The Class of 2025 looks forward to celebrating its upcoming graduation while honoring those students who have already achieved it by taking the next steps into a bright future.

Staples High School Class of 2026 Award

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Staples High School Class of 2026 Award

“To plant a seed is to believe in tomorrow” – Anonymous.
The Class of 2026 believes in its fellow Wreckers and hopes to plant the seeds now for Staples High School graduates with hopes and aspirations of attending college. With a yearly donation of $20.26 from classmates, SHS ’26 celebrates its upcoming graduation while recognizing the Staples students that have already attained it and are moving forward into an exciting tomorrow.

Susan and Timothy Steele Family Award

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Susan and Timothy Steele Family Award

Susan and Timothy Steele, longtime Westport residents who have sent 3 children through the Westport school system, went to university in England at a time when higher education was free. They believe strongly that a high quality affordable education should be open to all as it provides a gateway to future opportunities, no matter where a student’s interests may lie. The Steele Family, through this Staples Tuition Grants award, look forward to helping Staples’ graduates as they move onto the next chapter of their lives.

Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Award

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Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Award

Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen was a strong supporter of the goals of the United Nations since its founding in 1945. Her passions were peace and justice, and she assisted Eleanor Roosevelt in her work on behalf of the UN. Thousands of UN and other international visitors enjoyed her home hospitality in Westport, CT. With boundless energy, Ruth led the United National Association of Southwestern Connecticut for many years and oversaw the growth of the local chapter. She was also a leader of the Westminster branch of the United Nations Association in London. A continuing legacy of Ruth’s is the annual jUNe Day celebration in Westport founded by her in 1965. Hundreds of UN staff and delegates, including ambassadors, are welcomed on the last Saturday in June by the local community to enjoy breakfast, lunch, golf, tennis, soccer, the town’s beach on Long Island Sound and many other activities. These are just a few of her many accomplishments. Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen embodied tolerance, enthusiasm and knowledge. She said, “We must speak out against ignorance, isolation and distrust and guard against them in ourselves.”

Kenneth Sweetnam Memorial Award

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Kenneth Sweetnam Memorial Award

Kenneth Sweetnam, Class of 1982, was a standout basketball and baseball player. Ken died in an automobile accident while in college. His family remembers his greatest talent was being in the middle of a diverse group of people and making them all feel special and welcome.

Gordon Swisha Memorial Award

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Gordon Swisha Memorial Award

Born in New York City, Gordon was raised in Westport and graduated from Staples High School in 1985. He spent several years in California, receiving his degree from UCLA. He returned East to New Haven before making Fairfield his home. The owner of Electrix, Inc., of New Haven, Gordon was a talented architectural lighting designer with various patents to his credit. Intricately involved in the custom lighting of numerous landmark buildings throughout the world, he was proud of his company’s accomplishments. Gordon possessed a real passion for life. A warm engaging individual, he truly cared to meet and understand people. He was a skilled boatsman who knew the waters of Long Island Sound well. As part of the Staples Golf team, Gordon was an all FCIAC golfer and he helped the team win 2 FCIAC titles. Gordon was a fantastic husband and father who enjoyed spending time outdoors with those he loved.