To the Editor:

On behalf of the Board of Governors of the Newtown Scholarship Association (NSA), I would like to convey my gratitude to all players, sponsors, club staff, and volunteers who participated in the 25th Annual Jack Friel Memorial Golf Scramble. Contested on Monday, June 19, at both Newtown Country Club and Rock Ridge Country Club, the event dodged afternoon thunderstorms and proved to be a tremendous success.

We at NSA are very proud that for 80 years we have been successfully focused on one mission: to help put a college education within reach for every high school graduate from Newtown. This year almost 170 students from Newtown will be awarded need-based scholarships totaling approximately $330,000.

Since 1937 we have awarded almost $5 million in financial aid to support higher education for students in our community. These numbers reflect the continuing and growing need among Newtown families for assistance to meet the cost of higher education. The generosity shown by supporters and many sponsors of our golf outing is a key component to meeting these needs. All of those who participated in the event should be very proud to be a part of this success story.

We chose this 25th anniversary event to honor two long-standing NSA board members, Mark Fries and Jim Morley. In addition to their contributions to the NSA board as a whole, Mark and Jim have co-chaired the golf tournament for almost its entire history. When one considers the number of students who have directly benefited from the funds generated by this event, it can truly be said that Mark and Jim have paid it forward for a long time. I'd like to thank and acknowledge Mark and Jim for their tremendous service.

Sincerely,

Ted Kohler

Newtown Scholarship Association, Inc

PO Box 302, Newtown         June 28, 2017