Our scholars are a bright light in New Canaan, bringing their commitment, energy, and enthusiasm to everything they do. They are leaders in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. These exceptional young men inspire others to reach for the stars and leave a lasting impact on everyone they encounter.
My experience as a scholar at ABC taught me discipline, courage, and tenacity, all of which have amply prepared me for college. I have also made a lifetime of connections and attained resources that are paramount to the goals I want to achieve.
Senior
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Nancy and Mike Shullman
Favorite meal at ABC House: Shrimp scampi or salmon
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Supportive
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The independence and having my own responsibilities
Favorite subject: Math and History
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The flexibility and variety of what the high school offers
Extracurricular interests: Wrestling, volleyball, playing piano
Best thing about New Canaan: The community of the high school and town
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Wrestling season or trying out for volleyball
Sophomore
Hometown: Methuen, MA
Host Family: Mimi and Pat Leahy
Favorite meal at ABC House: Ribs, Mac & cheese
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Wonderful
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The independence
Favorite subject: Computer science
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The campus
Extracurricular interests: creative writing, cross country, video games
Best thing about New Canaan: The close community
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Successfully completing my sophomore year
Freshman
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Denise and Jim Wartinbee
Favorite meal at ABC House: Steak and potatoes
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Loving
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The support I get for all of my classes
Favorite subject: Math
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The extracurricular activities
Extracurricular interests: Football
Best thing about New Canaan: The food
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Winning all of our football games in the season
Junior
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Host Family: Nadine and Mike Finnerty
Favorite meal at ABC House: Spaghetti & meatballs and taco Tuesday
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Togetherness
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: Living with great people and the support
Favorite subject: Science and math
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The amount of people you meet, and the support system is perfect
Extracurricular interests: Basketball
Best thing about New Canaan: The whole town
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Basketball season
Sophomore
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Kimberly and TJ Jetnil
Favorite meal at ABC House: Salmon
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Fun
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The benefits and opportunities
Favorite subject: Math, especially geometry
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The great people you meet
Extracurricular interests: Basketball, volleyball, volunteer work
Best thing about New Canaan: The peacefulness and friendliness
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Taking as many classes as I can
Freshman
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Lauren and Matt Nussbaum
Favorite meal at ABC House: Chicken burritos
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Amazing
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: Everybody is so fun and nice
Favorite subject: Math
The best thing about New Canaan High School: My friends and the people
Extracurricular interests: Soccer and baseball
Best thing about New Canaan: The nice people
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Being successful and doing my best!
Junior
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Shannon and John Goetz
Favorite meal at ABC House: Fried chicken
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Love
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The camaraderie between the scholars
Favorite subject: Math and band
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The teachers and friends that you make. The high school community is one of the best I’ve known
Extracurricular interests: Wrestling, football, reading
Best thing about New Canaan: The community of people
What I’m most looking forward to this year: The friendships I will make
Sophomore
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Megan and José Morales
Favorite meal at ABC House: Fried chicken
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Generous
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: Meeting new people and experiencing new things
Favorite subject: They are all enjoyable
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The community
Extracurricular interests: Theater, volleyball
Best thing about New Canaan: The community is very welcoming and nice
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Building relationships with my peers
| Alumni Scholar | Class Year | College Attended |
|---|---|---|
| Dylan Amaswache | 2023 | Babson College |
| Javier Perez Soto | 2023 | University of Richmond |
| Richard Hernandez | 2022 | University of Buffalo |
| Osasu Uwa-Omede | 2022 | Drexel University |
| Axel Boly | 2021 | Northeastern University |
| Ajamo Carraby-Jones | 2021 | Muhlenberg College |
| Ivan Tamayo | 2021 | Bard College |
| Adrian Davis | 2020 | University of Pittsburgh |
| Ryan Hernandez | 2019 | University of Buffalo |
| Kai Clancy | 2018 | Binghamton University |
| Josiah Jones | 2018 | New York University |
| Rajon Mitchell | 2017 | Northeastern University |
| Christopher Roman | 2016 | Bentley University |
| Brian MacCalla | 2016 | Elon University |
| Kwaku Gyasi | 2015 | University of Connecticut |
| Osaze Wilson | 2015 | George Washington |
| Myles Henderson | 2014 | Wentworth Institute of Technology ’18 |
| Chris Andrews | 2014 | Penn State ’18 |
| Devaun Bovell | 2013 | Boston College ’17 |
| Elijah Westbrook | 2011 | Quinnipiac ’16 |
| Joveto De Carvalho | 2011 | Holy Cross ’15 |
| Shamiel Gonzalez | 2010 | St. Lawrence ’14 |
| Darryl Cummings | 2010 | University of Connecticut ’14 |
| Jelani Alladin | 2010 | NYU ’14 |
| Eduardo Padilla | 2009 | Hamilton ’13 |
| John Puma | 2008 | Hamilton ’12 |
| Steven Gallego | 2007 | Denison ’11 |
| Eric Ho | 2007 | Union ’11 |
| Carl Brown | 2006 | Lehigh ’10 |
| Marc Pierre | 2006 | Denison ’10 |
| Rodney Yartey | 2005 | Colgate ’09 |
| David Cox | 2005 | NYU ’09 |
| Henry Morris | 2004 | Colgate ’08 |
| Jason Land | 2003 | Morehouse/NYU |
| Castel Valere | 2002 | U. of Colorado @ Boulder |
| Navil Charles | 2001 | Tufts University |
| Manuel Torres | 2000 | U.S. Navy |
| Steve (Glendon) Austin | 1999 | Villanova |
| Chris Ellis | 1999 | Boston U. |
| David Morales | 1999 | Cornell |
| Charles Curtis | 1999 | Villanova |
| Travis Galloway | 1998 | |
| William Choi | 1998 | Lehigh |
| Kellen (Daniel) Tyler | 1997 | Boston U. |
| Dwayne Thomas | 1997 | Lafayette |
| David Medina | 1996 | |
| Levi (Emmanuel) Stewart | 1995 | Northeastern |
| Courtney Lopez | 1995 | |
| Adam Stevens | 1995 | |
| Wilfredo (Eugenio) Diaz | 1994 | Skidmore |
| Monte Wilson | 1994 | Colgate ’98 |
| Brandon King | 1993 | Yale |
| Steven Graciano | 1993 | Cornell |
| Will Llorente | 1992 | St. Michaels |
| Franklin Pena | 1992 | Georgetown |
| Antonio Hofbauer | 1991 | Yale |
| Jaime Moore | 1991 | U. of Richmond |
| Jose Vinueza | 1990 | Syracuse |
| Mario Dief | 1989 | |
| Jaime Zapata | 1989 | Georgetown |
| Ainsley Crawford | 1989 | |
| Raya Gibran | 1989 | |
| Donat Young | 1988 | |
| Kapil Kumar | 1988 | Rutgers |
| Jason Brown | 1988 | St. John’s University |
| Michael Lewis | 1987 | Holy Cross |
| Wendell Martinez | 1987 | |
| Arnold Principal | 1987 | Holy Cross |
| Rajesh Mangray | 1986 | Union ’87 |
| Alphonso Johnson | 1986 | |
| Christopher Clark | 1986 | |
| Gabriel Aguilera | 1985 | Stanford |
| Luis Dannenfels | 1985 | |
| Berni (Walter) Haynesworth | 1985 | Wesleyan ’89 |
| Alex Santamaria | 1984 | |
| Etesh Mangray | 1983 | Union ’87 |
| Hugh Ryan | 1982 | |
| Enrique Gandarilla | 1981 | Wesleyan ’85 |
| Derrick Harris | 1982 | Columbia ’86 |
| Greg (Frank) Abernathy | 1980 | Brown/Columbia Law |
| Zachary Harris | 1980 | University of Rochester ’84 |
| Jesse Rucker | 1977 | University of Mass |
| Darrell Washington | 1977 | Denison/Trent State |
| Luis Taveras | 1977 | Wesleyan ’81 |
| Gerald Wills | 1977 | |
| Brian Watson | 1977 | |
| Mike Bivens | 1976 | Boston University ’80 |
| Terry Trusty | 1976 | Harvard ’80 |
Elijah Westbrook is a three-time Emmy award-winning journalist. He joined CBS News New York in January 2022. Elijah was raised in Harlem, NY, and became an ABC New Canaan Scholar in 2007. After graduating from New Canaan High School in 2011, he attended Quinnipiac University, earning his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism with a minor in marketing.
William Choi grew up in the Lower East Side of New York City and was a product of the NYC public education system until the 9th grade. Although he was admitted to a top specialized high school, he sought a greater challenge and chose the A Better Chance program in New Canaan.
Acclaimed actor Jelani Alladin has come a long way from his days as an ABC scholar at New Canaan High School. Since graduating from NYU’s Tisch School for the Arts in 2014, Jelani has made a name for himself on both stage and screen – most recently in the role of Marcus Gaines in the Showtime limited series Fellow Travelers, set to air in fall 2023.
