Weller Foundation Announces

Newtown High School Finalists

Newtown High School seniors Erin P. Hates, daughter of Michael and Anne Marie Hayes, and Alia Ann Kemsley, daughter of Deen and Kristen Kemsley, were recently named finalists for the $12,000 Weller Foundation 2003–04 Barton L. Weller Scholarship.

Entrants were required to submit proposals for projects in any field of study in which they have an interest. Finalists were selected on the basis of originality, format, potential, and care with which the proposal and its planned implementation had been thought through. Each finalist received $200 to help defray expenses during the five-month project period. In addition, all runners-up, at the discretion of the judges, are eligible to receive a one-time scholarship ranging from $800 to $16,000 for completion and timely submission of their projects.

The objective of Erin’s project, “Feis 101,” was to create a “how-to” manual about Irish step dancing feises (entertainments or competitions). Her manual will focus on all aspects of a feis for a beginner dancer. She plans to write, publish, market, and distribute the book to the dancing community.

Inspired by her experience growing up as one of nine children, Alia’s project is aptly titled “Rules in Surviving in Packs.” Her objective was to write a “rule book” outlining how to survive in a large family. She hopes her book will be an effort “to first educate the reader and hopefully strip them of some of their stereotypes and ignorance; second, to entertain and connect to the reader and finally, to restore respect for the most noble calling in this life, that of a mother.”

The scholarship recipients will be announced during an awards dinner to be held at Fairfield University May 12.