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.
Sophomore
Hometown: Norristown, PA
Host Family: Lauren and Matt Nussbaum
Favorite meal at ABC House: Salmon
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Adventurous
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: Having so many resources to be the best I can be
Favorite subject: Music Tech
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The support
Extracurricular interests: Football and track
Best thing about New Canaan: The Community
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Setting a good foundation
Sophomore
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Jess and Jim Huetter
Favorite meal at ABC House: Spaghetti and meatballs
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Opportunities
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The brotherhood
Favorite subject: Science
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The students
Extracurricular interests: Swimming and football
Best thing about New Canaan: The local food shops
What I’m most looking forward to this year: The winter
Freshman
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Host Family: Kiana and Brian O’Reilly
Favorite meal at ABC House: Pizza
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Opportunity
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: Having a supportive Host Family when you feel lonely or need someone to lean on.
Favorite subject: Math
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The variety of clubs
Hobbies/Extracurricular interests: Cross country, chess, wrestling, and soccer
Best thing about New Canaan: The community
What I’m most looking forward to this year: YG and making new friends
Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
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: Music Tech
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The campus
Extracurricular interests: Composer’s collective, nature center, guitar, and volunteering
Best thing about New Canaan: The close community
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Deciding which college I will go to
Junior
Hometown: Brooklyn, 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: Sports and college visits
Freshman
Hometown: Mount Vernon, IL
Host Family: Courtney and Will Flynn
Favorite meal at ABC House: Tacos
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Welcoming
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: The brotherhood
Favorite subject: Spanish
The best thing about New Canaan High School:
Hobbies/Extracurricular interests: Football, basketball, baseball, ceramics
Best thing about New Canaan: The community
What I’m most looking forward to this year: The YG mission trip
Senior
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
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The great people you meet
Extracurricular interests: Basketball, golf, volleyball, volunteer work, church activities
Best thing about New Canaan: The peacefulness and friendliness
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Doing well in school and setting myself up for college
Senior
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Host Family: Megan and José Morales
Favorite meal at ABC House: Steak and broccoli
One word that describes ABC New Canaan: Generous
Best part of being an ABC Scholar: Being part of the community
Favorite subject: Creative Writing
The best thing about New Canaan High School: The community
Extracurricular interests: Theater and singing
Best thing about New Canaan: The community is very welcoming and nice
What I’m most looking forward to this year: Performing in the NCHS musicals and plays
| Alumni Scholar | Class Year | College Attended |
|---|---|---|
| Yanfer Martinez | 2026 | Trinity College |
| Kian Ragaza | 2026 | Hobart and William Smith College |
| John Baluyut | 2025 | Pace University |
| 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 |
| Ainsely Crawford | 1989 | William & Mary |
| 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.
Will Choi is a proud alumnus of the A Better Chance program in New Canaan, where he graduated in 1998. He went on to attend Lehigh University on a full scholarship and earned his degree in 2002.
He began his career at MKP Capital, where he spent eight years in the hedge fund industry before transitioning into commercial real estate. Today, he is a principal at a family office, focused on investing in and operating real estate assets.
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 earning a Black Reel Award nomination for his role as Marcus Gaines in the Showtime limited series Fellow Travelers.
