Newtown Parent Connection representatives presented the Thomas P. Rodbell Scholarship to Easton High School junior Sofia Mendes on Tuesday, July 15.

Mendes, whose mother works as a counselor at Newtown High School, is the second high schooler to be awarded the scholarship this year. The other student was NHS senior Alexandra Pettengill, who graduated earlier this June.

The scholarship rewards someone whose life has been affected by addiction and honors their perseverance, strength, and quiet courage in overcoming adversity.

Those rewarded with the scholarship will also volunteer with Newtown Parent Connection.

There to present the scholarship Tuesday evening were NPC Executive Director Nicole Hampton, NPC Board Chair Ken Rodbell, and NPC Board member Kathleen Moonan.

The scholarship is named in honor of Kathleen and Rodbell’s late son, Thomas, who passed away in August 2021, age 34. The pair presented a bouquet of sunflowers to Mendes for the special occasion.

Sunflowers hold a lot of significance to them. After Thomas’ passing, Kathleen left with former NPC Executive Director Dorrie Carolan to go to the funeral parlor, but decided to first stop by the florist and get flowers.

Kathleen said the florist told her to “Just get weeds.” She and Carolan eventually found and picked wreathes of sunflowers.

“And now every time we see a sunflower — because they show up in the funniest places at the funniest times — I feel like he’s here saying, ‘I’m still around. Don’t forget me,’” Kathleen explained.

Tears were shared, but everyone in the room embraced one another as they looked to support their local and surrounding communities.

Community service is an active part of Mendes’ life, as she is a part of the National Charity League.

“I love the feeling ... of doing something for other people and giving back to others,” Mendes said. “Just knowing that there’s anything you can do at all to help someone or make someone’s life easier in the slightest bit, it really just inspires me.”

Mendes said she also loves working with Dorothy Day Hospital House in Danbury and giving out presents around the holidays.

“I love seeing the looks on everybody’s faces,” Mendes said. “I just love doing it. I really do.”

As for what she plans to do in the future, Mendes said she’s really looking into nursing — another extension of her wanting to help other people.

“Ever since I’ve watched the show Grey’s Anatomy, I’ve always loved that. So I’d really like to go into nursing and pre-med,” Mendes explained.

Hampton said NPC is very excited to get started on engaging the teen community and supporting families through the lens of a teenager.

Rodbell told Mendes that she will be working with Hampton and that one of the key initiatives for NPC is to improve their involvement at the school levels.

“So who better than somebody in school that knows what’s needed and how to connect with teenagers,” Rodbell said.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.