News

NU Foundation awards $100,000 in college scholarships
Students eligible to receive $10,000 and paid summer internships

Hartford, Connecticut, May 27, 2010 – The Northeast Utilities (NU) Foundation has awarded $100,000 in scholarships to ten accomplished high school seniors with the opportunity for paid summer employment with Northeast Utilities or one of its affiliate companies.

The students from Connecticut, New Hampshire and western Massachusetts were recognized at the ninth annual NU Foundation Scholarship Award ceremony held at NU's subsidiary campus in Berlin on May 13.

The NU Foundation Scholarship program provides financial assistance to students who are the children of NU employees and have distinguished themselves through their academic record, leadership skills and school and community activities. The recipients are eligible to receive a total of $10,000 in college scholarships for up to four years of college study. There is also an opportunity for summer employment for each student after the successful completion of their first year in college.

The 2010 NU Foundation Scholarship winners are:

Sean J. Burns of Hebron, Connecticut: Sean is the son of Gary Silberquit and Suzanna Burns and is a senior at RHAM High School in his town. Sean is a member of the National Honor Society. He has also been a member of the RHAM varsity soccer team for three years and he manages the school store. Sean is also an officer in RHAM's chapter of DECA, an international association of high school and college students interested in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. In 2009, he participated in the national DECA competition after winning at the state level. He also volunteers his time by tutoring fellow students, helping to rebuild stone walls for Hebron Town Hall, and helped to raise funds for the AHM Family Resource Center in Hebron. He will attend Northeastern University where he intends to major in Finance.

Danielle S. Charette of Durham, Connecticut: Danielle is the daughter of Kevin and Lori Charette and is a senior at Coginchaug Regional High School. Danielle is president of her class and served is the secretary general of her school's Model United Nations chapter. She played varsity soccer and track and was named the captain of both teams. Danielle has earned the Harvard Book Award and state Good Citizen of the Year Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has also served as an assistant at Wesleyan University's Green Street Arts Center. She will attend Swarthmore College where she intends to study English.

Brittany A. Ciullo of East Haddam, Connecticut: Brittany is the daughter of John and Cassandra Ciullo and is a senior at Nathan Hale-Ray High School in East Haddam. She is ranked second in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Emily is an avid musician and vocalist. She has studied piano for eight years and has been the organist at her church since her sophomore year. Brittany is also an All-State musician for voice and will be performing in June at Carnegie Hall as a finalist with the American High School Honors Performance Series Choir. She will be attending the University of Connecticut in the fall.

Emily Coleman of Glastonbury, Connecticut: Emily is the daughter of David and Helen Coleman and is a senior at Glastonbury High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, the Latin National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society. She is also the editor of her school's yearbook. Emily is a member of the Math Team and National Ocean Sciences team, participating in quiz-like competitions with other schools. She is also on the Spanish and Latin Clubs and she mentors incoming freshman and tutors middle school students. She is a coach for the Glastonbury Basketball Association. She will be attending the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she intends to major in Education.

Laura A. Goudreau of Hudson, New Hampshire: Laura is the daughter of John and Anne Goudreau and is a senior at Alvirne High School in Hudson. She is a scholar athlete who is ranked in the top ten of her class. Laura is a member of her school's track and field and cross country teams and holds several school records. She is also an avid volunteer. She has helped to raise funds to support children orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS in Zambia, Africa. She has also made two trips to Mississippi to help with the rebuilding efforts in areas still devastated from Hurricane Katrina. She will attend Gordon College in Massachusetts in the fall.

Jeanne A. Kiernan of Longmeadow, Massachusetts: Jeanne is the daughter of Gerard and Kim Kiernan and is a senior at Longmeadow High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar in Math. She is a member of her school's soccer team and both the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, setting a school indoor record in the high jump earlier this year. Jeanne is also a religious education teacher and a volunteer bible camp counselor. She also writes for her school newspaper and is a youth soccer coach. She will attend Holy Cross in Worcester in the fall where she intends to enter into the pre-med program.

Kaeley J. McEvoy of Woodbury, Connecticut: Kaeley is the daughter of Bill and Laura McEvoy and is a senior at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury. She is the editor-in-chief of her school yearbook and was awarded the Susan B. Anthony Award for social justice. Kaeley played varsity soccer for four years and was the MVP of her team this year, leading her team to two league championships and the state semi-finals in 2008. Kaeley also participates in the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program and has played with several premier soccer clubs in the state. With members of her church, she traveled to Maine to help rebuild houses for families in need. Kaeley has also volunteered in a soup kitchen and was a vacation bible school teacher for two years. She will be attending Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania in the fall.

Rebecca Paquette of Glastonbury, Connecticut: Rebecca is the daughter of Matthew and Robin Paquette and is a senior at Glastonbury High School. She is president of her school's Environmental Club and she plays the cello in the school orchestra. She has also been a Girl Scout for 11 years and has won the Silver and Gold Awards, the highest awards in Girl Scouting. After school, Rebecca works as an animal caretaker at the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester, Connecticut. Rebecca intends to study nursing at the University of Connecticut.

Kristine Peterson of Somersworth, New Hampshire: Kristine is the daughter of Daniel and Mary Jo Peterson and is a senior at Somersworth High School. Kristine is ranked at the top of her class. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, the Environmental Club, the Biotechnology Club and the Math team. Kristen also played ice hockey, lacrosse and volleyball for her school. She has tutored underprivileged children and provided assistance to the elderly. She will attend Smith College in the fall, where she is considering studying Engineering.

Katerina Procenko of Newington, Connecticut: Katerina is the daughter Sergey Protsenko and Elina Procenko and is a senior at Newington High School. She is ranked in the top one percent of her class. She is a member of the National Honor and also the French, Science and MU Alpha Theta Math Honor Societies. She is also layout editor of her school newspaper and she competed in state and regional competitions as a member of the Math Team. She is also a prize-winning artist who is fluent in her first language, Russian. She will attend Providence College where she intends to study Psychology.

The Northeast Utilities Foundation, established by NU in 1998 and supported by Northeast Utilities' operating companies (Connecticut Light & Power Co., Yankee Gas Services Co., Western Massachusetts Electric Co. and Public Service of New Hampshire), has benefited charitable partners in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire with total donations of more than $12 million. The Foundation's focus areas are education for workforce development, environmental stewardship and economic development.

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