2025-2026 ASF Scholars Announced, Celebrated at Annual Reception

July 31, 2025

New Britain, Conn. – The American Savings Foundation is proud to announce 108 first-time recipients of an American Savings Foundation Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year. These new Scholars were celebrated at the Foundation’s annual scholarship reception, held at Farmington Gardens in Farmington, CT.

The American Savings Foundation Scholarship is a renewable award that supports students pursuing two-year college, four-year degrees, and technical or career training at institutions in Connecticut and across the country. In addition to recognizing new recipients, the event honored graduating seniors who have received the scholarship for up to four years and are now entering their final year of college.  Many alumni of the scholarship program, who now serve on the Foundation’s scholarship committee and board of directors, were also in attendance.

Including returning sophomores and juniors eligible for renewal, the Foundation anticipates awarding over $850,000 in scholarship support to approximately 400 students during the 2025–2026 academic year. The majority of recipients receive support throughout their full college experience.

“We want this scholarship to be much more than just a check,” said Heather Hokunson, American Savings Foundation Senior Program Officer for Scholarships. “While the financial support is critical, we’re also deeply committed to providing support and resources to help our scholars stay on track and reach their goals.”

The theme of the 2025 Reception was Highlighting Careers in Technology. This year’s keynote speakers—both alumni of the American Savings Foundation Scholarship—shared inspiring stories of resilience, curiosity, and unexpected paths into technology. They encouraged scholars to embrace change, use technology thoughtfully, and stay grounded in human connection, reminding students that success comes from leading with purpose, adaptability, and compassion.

• Angelina Opoku is an experienced IT Consultant specializing in Salesforce. During her time at UConn, Angelina held internships at local non-profits and volunteered within her community. She is a former ASF Scholar from New Britain High School and currently serves on the ASF Scholarship Committee.
• Syed Ali is an AI engineer with over 8 years' experience deploying responsible machine‑learning and generative‑AI systems in finance, compliance, and knowledge‑ management. Currently at Vectara, he helps global enterprises design AI agents that speed decisions while upholding strict safety standards

In addition to the scholars and their families, several local youth programs brought current middle-school and high-school students to the reception.  The Foundation invests in many local youth programs and after-school programs and noted that it is very important to help youth visualize and plan for their own future success. 

“Many of the youth programs we support work with students to explore various career paths and learn how to achieve their goals through college or career training,” said Maria Falvo, President and CEO of American Savings Foundation.  “We hope to see many of these younger students back here in a few years as future American Savings Foundation Scholars”

The American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment that also awards grants to area nonprofits. Since its inception in 1995, the foundation has contributed nearly $75 million in total grants and scholarships in central Connecticut. Scholarships are awarded to students from the 64 Connecticut towns served by the foundation. 

2025 - 2026 American Savings Foundation Scholars
First-Time Recipients

Berlin/Kensington: Anousha Hashim, Brookelyn Johnson, Carlisse Perales, Austin Teti 

Bolton: Mckayla Maynard

Bristol: Tyler Chasse, Jordyn Dombroski, Lynell Ellerbe, Alina Guo, Amya Hendricks, Adiba Hossain, Ailani Toledano 

Clinton: Angelie Jaramillo-Navas

East Hampton: William Anderman

East Hartford: Georgina Contreras, Emmanuella Frimpong, Harry Johnson, Queen Lewis, Marcela Lozada, Pari Parikh, Arianna Stroman

Farmington/Unionville: Emily Zieba

Glastonbury: Josephine Staton

Granby:Makenzie Blake

Killingworth: Mikaela Fullam

Manchester: Brady Awua-Peasah, Natalie Dejesus, Gabrielle Pierre

Mansfield: Caitlyn Moon

Meriden: Estrella Perez

Middletown: Arriana Gilbert, Edgar Trejo Aguilar, 

Naugatuck: Isaiah Brenes, Brian Lowden

New Britain:  May Alaswad, Sheherazade Algaasi, Maram Alguar, Eshtiag Alwishah, Heiet Anaam, Mercedes Ayala, Jade Benitez, Esme Bryant Carter, Leon Cabrera, Alexander Cortes, Israel Dandrade, Aaliyah Diaz, Gabriella Dionizio, Daniella Dolphy, Danelly Enriquez, Sara Esquivel Diaz, Kesean Gaines, Christopher Goncalves, Arianah Gonzalez, Tairan Habib, Dylan Johns, Vannessa Larkin, Valeria Lopez, Jiznellie Martinez, Javiellie Merle-Gonzalez, Johanelyz Morales Diaz, Doritha Oduro, Alexis Ortiz, Joshua Ramales, Yareli Reyes, Nathalia Rios, Elias Rodriguez, Jovanni Rodriguez, Camila Rosado, Andrii Rosynets, Michelle Spiewak, Isabella Testanero, Jovan Torres, Paulina Vargas, Amalia Warkoski, Nyok Wol, Patryk Koldysz

Old Saybrook: Lilly Rascoe

Plainville: Abigail Belliveau, Szymon Halas, Victoria Hamel

Thomaston: Cierra O'Sullivan

Torrington: Kimberly Lalvay

Waterbury: Makayla Bloom, Jodeliz Cartagena, Linda Cisneros, Justin Coggins, Sheilianiss Diaz-Figueroa, Terrance Fullmore, Andrea Garcia, Jasmin Garcia Coronado, Mahasin Gudaf, Martin Herrera, Guadalupe Marquez Baltazar, Aniyah Moore, Luxarii Rivera, Nicole Rogers, Shayann Simms, Lanyii Stephens, Paris-Ashley Tumba, Dashon Williams, Sarah Wilmot

Watertown: Hilary Delorbe

West Hartford: Cameron Levine, Ifeanyi Ojemeni, Sophia Zheng

Wethersfield: Alex Diaz

Willimantic: Ayelet Gonzalez Rodriguez

Winsted: Andrea Buncalan