Our Scholars

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.

Richard Hernandez 
ABC New Canaan Scholar, Class of 2024
University of Buffalo

John Baluyut

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

Christopher Feliz

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

Malicah Hatten

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

Yanfer Martinez

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

Dariel Ortiz

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

Elias Ortiz

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!

Kian Ragaza

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

Henyerson Tolentino

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

Our Scholar Video Says It All!

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Our Scholar Alumni

Our scholars graduate as well-rounded and confident leaders. They are academically prepared, intellectually curious, and ready to tackle the challenges of college. As they venture into college, the spirit of togetherness, bonding, and belonging they have at ABC House stays with them always. They are brothers for life and a part of the ABC family forever. Our alumni actively support our scholars and three of our alumni are on our Board of Directors.
 
We are immensely proud of our alumni and the incredible men they have become. The significant achievements and impact they have made in their chosen careers and in their communities serve as a testament to the transformative power of education, and we know they will continue to shine bright in their endeavors.
Scholar Alumni
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

Featured Alumni

William Choi

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.

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David Cox

David Cox is an ABC New Canaan Better Chance Alumni from Mt. Vernon, NY, who graduated from New Canaan High School in 2005.

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