// NEWS

Willimantic, CT – The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) is proud to support student awards for the 19th Annual Julius Sokenu Poetry Contest, a lively annual event honoring the best student poetry in English and Spanish at CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley. For 2026, the awards celebration will be held on Thursday April 30 from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Townsend Family Room at the college’s Willimantic Center at 729 Main Street Willimantic, CT. In total, the NCEF will provide $1,000 for student awards this year. This poetry prize was created as a tribute to respected professor Dr. Sokenu from his faculty and staff colleagues when he left Quinebaug Valley Community College for another position. The awards are given annually to students who compete in multiple categories, including English, Spanish for heritage speakers, and Spanish for non-heritage speakers. It is a moving ceremony for all who are fortunate to partake. Jon Andersen, CT State Quinebaug Valley English Department Chair shared the impact these awards have on students, “Community college is like poetry itself, I think: a place where you can discover what you have to say, a place to say it, and a place to be heard. On the Sokenu Awards night we celebrate our many differences and all we share. The Foundation makes this possible, year after year.” The contest is open exclusively to CT State students whose home campus is Quinebaug Valley. Submissions will be accepted through April 9th with student award winners invited to share their work in a reading with an acclaimed guest poet. For 2026, the event will feature 2025 National Youth Poet Laureate Stephanie Pacheco. Questions about the awards can be directed to Jon Andersen at [email protected] or Elkin Espitia-Loaiza, professor of Spanish and ESOL, at [email protected].   Photo credit: Deneuve Bastien

The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) is proud to offer over $189,000 in scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. Scholarships are open to Windham County residents pursuing higher education. With over 115 individual awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, this is a great opportunity for local students who want to pursue their educational goals at Connecticut State Community College Quinebaug Valley or other higher education institutions. Joseph Adiletta, President of the NCEF stated, “Scholarships are at the heart of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation. They truly are a hand-up for the students we serve. We are grateful to our many donors who believe in the importance of higher education and support our mission.” Pomfret resident and recent scholarship recipient John Murray shared how his award helped him, “With support from the NCEF, I graduated from CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley and transferred to Loyola University Chicago where I am studying international business. I urge students to take the time and apply; you never know where a scholarship can take you.” For all information about NCEF’s scholarships, including who can apply, required documents, and specific scholarship criteria, go to necteducationfoundation.org/scholarships/. Completed applications must be submitted by noon on March 13, 2026. An impartial committee of NCEF Board of Directors will review applications. Scholarships will be presented at the NCEF Scholarship Night on Wednesday, May 6 at 5:00 pm at Killingly Intermediate School in Dayville. Recipients will be notified in advance of the ceremony and are required to attend to receive their award.

The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) is pleased to award two CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley students with scholarships to attend the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights (OCHR) in England in 2026. Putnam residents Keegan McOsker and Rebecca Shea will spend a week at the interactive conferences along with students from thirty universities and community colleges across the country and additional students from South Korea, Kenya, and Brazil. Supported by funds raised from the Foundation’s annual golf tournament and Tackle the Trail events, the scholarship covers program fees and travel expenses up to $5,000 each, giving students a rare opportunity to study abroad and learn from international scholars in the field of human rights. NCEF President Joseph Adiletta commented on the impact of the program, “This international exposure to students from Northeast Connecticut can be a life changing experience. NCEF’s ability to support students derives directly from the generous donations of so many of our community friends, businesses, and organizations, to whom I extend NCEF’s sincere appreciation.” Thanks to Steve and Marge Townsend, past OCHR scholarship winners include Emmalee Fritzsche of Canterbury, Julia Revellese of Dayville, John Murray of Pomfret Center, and Kenna Lavallee of Danielson.   Keegan McOsker, who will participate in the Human Rights in War and Climate Emergency program in March of 2026 noted, “I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of human rights as a whole and specifically the ways in which we can help the many lives that have been upturned by war.”  Rebecca Shea expressed her gratitude to the Foundation, “I am incredibly grateful and profoundly honored to have been selected to attend the consortium. This is an exciting opportunity to be immersed in a different culture and meet students from around the globe.” The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education. In addition to the OCHR scholarships, the NCEF also provides $300,000 in scholarships and block grants supporting local students each year. Visit necteducationfoundation.org for more information. To learn more about CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley and ways to support local students attending the college, please contact Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or [email protected]. OCHR Scholarship Recipients Rebecca Shea and Keegan McOsker with CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley President Mary Ellen Jukoski and Director of Institutional Advancement Monique Wolanin

On Monday, November 17th, Jewett City Savings Bank President and CEO Michael Alberts and Executive Vice President Diana Rose invited the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) to the bank’s Dayville branch to present a $12,000 donation. The funds will add to the JCSB endowed scholarship with the NCEF. This contribution demonstrates the confidence Jewett City Savings Bank has in the NCEF and their mission to provide scholarships and other financial support to local students who want to pursue higher education. JCSB President and CEO Mike Alberts noted, “Jewett City Savings Bank, a mutually-owned community savings bank, is rooted in the fabric of eastern Connecticut. We have a responsibility to support those organizations like the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation that are likewise committed to improving the lives of our area residents.” The presentation included NCEF President Joseph Adiletta and Coordinator Sarah Wolfburg. President Adiletta shared his appreciation for the donation, “The NCEF is pleased to accept this significant donation from Jewett City Savings Bank. The bank has been a longtime supporter of the Foundation, both financially and with a commitment to volunteering with over 20 bank employees volunteering their time at the Tackle the Trail event in 2025. JCSB truly understands the value of education and demonstrates it by their ongoing support.” Scholarships endowed with the NCEF are available to local students through an annual application process that opens for a six-week period from February through mid-March. With over 100 individual awards ranging from $500 to $2,500, scholarships can be used for direct educational expenses including tuition, fees, books, course supplies, and technology. More details about scholarship amounts and criteria will be available at the NCEF website in February of 2026. Jewett City Savings Bank President/CEO Michael Alberts and Executive Vice President Diana Rose present a $12,000 check to Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation Coordinator Sarah Wolfburg and President Joseph Adiletta

The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) held the 12th annual Tackle the Trail event on Saturday, October 18. Known as Northeast CT’s unique race in an amazing place, Tackle the Trail features multiple distances, including marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K, and TackleJR. This event attracts runners from near and far. To date, runners from 34 states and 5 countries have Tackled the Trail. For 2025, the 10K male winner hailed from New Zealand. Monique Wolanin, Race Director and CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley Director of Institutional Advancement shared her appreciation for all who support the race each year, “Since our inaugural race in 2014, Tackle the Trail continues to grow, raising over $650,000 to help local students reach their educational goals and dreams. We could not put on this race without the generous support of so many, including our runners, volunteers, sponsors, and partnerships with many local organizations. On behalf of the hundreds of students who benefit from this event, heartfelt thanks.” 2025 winners include: marathon male Travis Godley, female Sara Tarascio; half-marathon male Chris Churchill, female Shelley Buchbinder, non-binary Dylan Lomangino; 10K male Willie Gunn, female Annie O’Sullivan, non-binary Liz Paglione; marathon relay male team Pomfret School XC, female team Trail this Pace, and mixed team Striding to the Top. For a complete list of 2025 results, sponsors, partners, photos and all race information, please visit tacklethetrail.org. To learn more about CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley and ways to support local students attending the college, please contact Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or [email protected] The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education.