Newtown High School Class of 2018 graduates Tristan Filiato and Ryan Williams received the Raymond F. Gates, Jr, Memorial Scholarship, presented by Newtown Board of Realtors President Connie Widmann and Vice President David Landau at the William Raveis office on July 12.

The Raymond F. Gates, Jr, Memorial Scholarship is awarded by the Connecticut Association of Realtors Foundation each year to students across Connecticut.

It was established in 1976 in memory of executive vice president of the Connecticut Realtors, Raymond F. Gates, Jr, who died in an automobile accident.

According to the Connecticut Associations of Realtors Foundation, "Originally, the fund was intended to assist Mr Gates' children through college. Once this objective was met, the fund was expanded to benefit the children of realtors, realtor-associates, local board/association, and [Connecticut Association of Realtors] staff."

In the 42 years since the scholarship's incarnation, more than $921,000 has been awarded to students for their outstanding academic and community work.

This year, out of 111 eligible applications, the organization awarded 41 students scholarships, totaling $35,000, including Tristan and Ryan.

While at Newtown High School, Tristan was a high honor roll student who served as president of the Forestry Club, Marching Band Percussion Section Leader, and an Odyssey of the Mind team member for five years, making the World Finals four times. He is also a Boy Scouts of America Life Scout.

Tristan will be attending Connecticut College in the fall. His mother, Catherine Filiato, is a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Newtown.

During Ryan's time at Newtown High School, he was an honor roll student, member of the World Language Honor Society, and a Magna Cum Laude National Latin Exam award winner. He also participated in football and track and field, as well as with Relay For Life, Families United in Newtown, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, and he served as a youth football assistant coach.

Ryan will be attending Miami University of Ohio in the fall, majoring in biology, and will be taking part in track. He hopes to continue his education to medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. His mother, Suzanne Williams, is a realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Southbury.

"We are so proud of you both," Ms Widmann said to Tristan and Ryan on behalf of the Newtown Board of Realtors. "We wish you both the very best."