The first Scholars Luncheon was held at Newtown High School on Friday, June 12, after school.

The event, which was held in the school's cafetorium, brought students in the top five percent of the graduating Class of 2015 together with an educator that inspired them during the course of their educational career.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said a similar type of event was held in his former district. He also said he thinks the luncheon offers another way of recognizing student scholarship. The event, he said, was also special for the invited guests.

"I think it has extraordinary meaning to the invited guests," said Dr Erardi, after explaining that each of the students in the top five percent of this year's graduating class had the opportunity to invite one educator who shared wisdom with them during their time as students.

According to the superintendent, 23 students were invited to attend the luncheon with a guest.

When introducing all of the gathered attendees to the event, Dr Erardi said the students and former or present teachers would eat lunch before the students shared their reasoning for inviting their guest with the group.

District and high school administrators were invited to the luncheon along with Board of Education members.

One educator, Ellen Therrien, a former Middle Gate Elementary School teacher, drove down from Maine to attend the event with her former student, Brenna Kelly.

"She was this tall," Ms Therrien said, indicating height with her hand, just after the luncheon began.

Sandy Hook School's Connie Sullivan was invited to the event by John Carlson.

Reed Intermediate School's Eric Myhill was invited by Kelly Coughlin.

Teachers from Newtown Middle School invited to the event were Ron Chivinski, invited by Akash Ahuja; Tom DeBeneditto, invited by David Csordas; and Jeanne Cavallero, invited by Hannah Grant.

NHS educators invited to the event were Eugene Hall, invited by Caroline Chocholak; Marc Kenney, invited by Alexandra Dittrich; Michele Toby, invited by Christopher Koch; Tammy Zukowski, invited by Anita Luxkaranayagam; Jeff Tolson, invited by Sarah Lunch; Jacqui Kaplan, invited by Veronica Moyer; Laura McLean, invited by Micaela Nowacki; Tim DeJulio, invited by Brandon O’Sullivan; Abi Marks, invited by Alexa Reilly; Deidre Croce, invited by Sarah Riccio; Doug Russell, invited by Shelby Tolla; Susan McConnell, invited by Tonya Tucker; Ellie Hanna, invited by Zachary Weiland; Jane Matson, invited by Katherine Wolff; and Dina Mastroni, invited by Katelyn Zimmerman.