Weller Foundation, Incorporated recently announced the distinguished achievements of students from Newtown High School.

Aadit Jerfy was recognized as a finalist in the foundation’s flagship scholarship program and received a $500 award for his project, “Machine Learning-based Real Time Captioning and Simplification for English Language Learner (ELL) Students.”

The nonprofit’s representatives commended Jerfy for his dedication, and wish him continued success as he heads off to college at University of Chicago to study and pursue his future goals.

Lauren Murphy has been awarded the $7,000 Louis J. LaCroce Medical/Health Sciences Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1995 and renamed in 2020 to honor former Trustee LaCroce.

The scholarship is designed to support and encourage students pursuing a career in healthcare. Lauren will begin her studies at Quinnipiac University this fall, focusing on occupational therapy.

David Baghdady was awarded the $7,000 Computer Science/Technology Scholarship, established in 2008 and renamed in 2024 in honor of Alexander Fraser, who dedicated 43 years of service as an officer and trustee of the Foundation.

The scholarship aims to financially support and inspire students to pursue careers in computer science. Baghdady will be attending University of Wisconsin–Madison this fall to study computer science.

Brady Dunn has been awarded the $4,000 Vincent A. Voccia Vocational Award. The foundation established this award in 1983 and gives it to seniors to help them prepare for a vocational or technical career.

Dunn will be attending Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he will enroll in the Automotive Technology: Comprehensive Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) program.

Beatrice Grace received the $500 Senior Science Award in recognition of exceptional ability in science and a strong commitment to pursuing a career in the field. Grace will be attending Mount Holyoke College this fall studying Biochemistry/Science Research.

Katherine Jarvis received the $500 Eleanor F. Moore Business Award in recognition of her outstanding potential and dedication to business.

Named in honor of Eleanor F. Moore, the first personnel director at Vitramon, Incorporated, this award honors students showing excellence and promise in business. Jarvis is attending Bentley University this fall, where she will study finance and accounting.

Moira Murphy received the $500 Paul W. Broggi Communications Award for demonstrating outstanding ability and earning recognition in communications, with intentions to pursue a career in the field.

Named after the late Paul W. Broggi, Director of Advertising and Public Relations at Vitramon, Incorporated, this award recognizes students excelling in communications. Moira will begin her studies in communications at University of Delaware in the fall.

Weller Foundation, Incorporated is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1962 to provide financial assistance to educational, charitable, and civic organizations. The nonprofit is known for its numerous scholarship programs, student awards, and other supporting contributions.