2025 Gerard and Wanda Brunet Foundation Scholarships

On Friday, May 23, at the Griswold High School Spring Pep Rally, School Counseling Director Elaine Taylor announced the 2025 recipients of the Gerard and Wanda Brunet Foundation. Find her remarks below. 

"This is one of the most exciting times of the school year; something we all look forward to at our spring pep rally. This is the moment when students and their families learn of a significant financial contribution to a college dream come true. I am honored to present the recipients of the Gerard and Wanda Brunet Foundation. 

I would like to share a bit about this amazing scholarship that we at GHS are so fortunate to have ... Wanda Brunet attended one year at Griswold High School in the late 1930s. Due to the Great Depression and the need to work to help support her family, she could not finish her schooling. She valued education, and was determined to leave a lasting legacy on behalf of herself and her late husband, Gerard. Together, they have provided the most amazing gift to our high school - a substantial monetary scholarship that will continue to be awarded year after year to graduating seniors in pursuit of higher education. 

Beginning in 2010 - just fifteen years ago - Tier I, II, and III scholarships have been awarded to hundreds of students, amounting to 1.5 million dollars. This is an opportunity that is unique to Griswold High School students and we are so grateful.

This year we will be awarding just over $112,000 through the Gerard and Wanda Brunet Foundation to fifteen graduating seniors. Tier III recipients are awarded departmentally, and will be announced at the Scholarship Night ceremony next week. 

Because this is such a significant opportunity, eligible candidates for Tier I and Tier II awards must complete a comprehensive application process for review before a committee, which is made up of me [School Counseling Director, Elaine Taylor]; GHS Principal, Ms. Erin Palonen; School Counselor, Ms. Kiley Flynn; GHS English Teacher, Ms. Kelsey Tobler; and GHS Advanced Technology and Science Teacher, Mr. Andrew Meislitzer. 

We do our best to work with families and keep this a big surprise. Recipients, your families are anxiously awaiting to share in this special moment. This year, we have two Tier II award recipients and two Tier I recipients.

2025 Tier II recipients:

Each will receive a $16,910 scholarship.

Our first recipient will be attending the University of Connecticut to study Speech, Language, & Hearing Sciences. Congratulations to Arianna Pedraza!

Our second recipient has enrolled at Regis College to pursue a degree in Dental Hygiene. Congratulations to Brooke Valentine!

2025 Tier I recipients:

The committee has selected two Tier I recipients, and each will receive $28,183. 

The first recipient will be attending Bucknell University to pursue a degree in Neuroscience. Congratulations Gabriella Rosado!

Our second recipient will be attending Bentley University and will be majoring in Finance. Congratulations Kierra Neilson!

Our most sincere and biggest congratulations to our recipients and their families. Our gratitude to Dime Savings Bank and especially to Wanda Brunet, a woman who has made such a profound impact on the lives of Griswold High School students with her continuous gift of education."

Tier III recipients, awarded departmentally, will be announced at the Senior Scholarship Night ceremony on May 28, 2025.