AWARD RECIPIENTS
2022 STG Staples High School Class of 1981 Award recipients
Madison Futoma, SHS '22, will be attending Lynn University and plans on studying psychology to potentially pursue a career as a child advocate. She is a Junior Staff Member at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club where she is a mentor and helps kids with homework and was recently awarded the Jr. Staff of the Year. She is also co-President of the St. Luke Youth Group where she participates in volunteer activities throughout the year. This summer she is going on a mission trip with the Youth Group and plans to continue working at the Club. (Madison is the daughter of our classmate, Catherine Horton Futoma)
Ian Kramer, SHS '20, transferred from Penn State University where he majored in Cyber Security to University of Utah with a Major in Game Design. While Game design focuses on 3D modelling and texturing, Ian will also continue to pursue Cyber Security. Ian hopes to be able to attend graduate school at U of U and earn a Master's in Entertainment Arts and Engineering. Ian is an avid rugby player having won the Athletic Award for Rugby as a member of the Staples Rugby Team. He enjoys rock climbing and playing the piano.
2021 Recipient
Ian Kramer, SHS '20, is currently at Penn State studying Psychology and Computer Science. However, he has a strong interest in Game Design and is considering transferring colleges. Ian is an avid rugby player having won the Athletic Award for Rugby as a member of the Staples Rugby team. He enjoys rock climbing and playing piano. Ian works at Trader Joe's and hopes to have a marketing internship at Rock Climb Fairfield.
2018 Award recipient
Adam Mickiewicz, SHS '16, attands the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where he will be a junior. He has a passion for animation and comedy, going back to his youth and his time at Staples, where he founded the first ever Animation City. He hopes to bring his interests together as a professional animator and comedic cartoonist and possibly director. He enjoys all aspects of the animation process, including lip-synching and story boarding. GFindings his story board the funniest in class this year, his Story Pitch professor shared it with the director of Spongebob Squarepants. Outside of class, Adam attends the Cards and Dice Club through which he explores the city friends, visitn improv and stand-up comedy clubs. Adam is applying to an internship at Sesame Street Workshop in New York, as well as other internships and local jobs.
2017 Award Recipient
John Backus III, SHS '17, is attanding the univeristy of Maine and plans to major in Education. Throughout his time at Staples, John has been a dedicated athlete receiving varsity letters in baseball and squash. Outside of school he also showcased his baseball talents as a member of the American legion All-Star Team and as a result was selected to play in the Rawlings Future Stars showcase baseball game. During the spring and summer months, John is a dedicated staff member of the Saugutuck Harbor Yacht Club where he was recognized as the hjardest working employee and the employee with the most hours worked. For his seniot internship, he will continue his love of boats and the water by being a member of the Compo Marina's team. John loves to spend time with his little sister Jillian who is in 8th grade.
2016 Class Scholarship Awards
Jeb, Michael Bottone, Mona and Tony
Michael Bottone (SHS '15)
Michael is a repeat recipient, having received an award in 2015. Michael is attending West Virgina University majoring in civil engineering.
Taylor Cusa (SHS '14)
Taylor is also a repeat recipient, having received awards in both 2014 and 2015. Taylor completed her sophomore year at UCONN after transferring from Coastal Carolina University. She is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2015 Class Scholarship Award
At the presentation of of the Staples Tuition Grants Award Ceremony at Staples June 9th, 2015. Traci Martin Provost, Michael Bottone and
Aleda Santos Warren.
Aleda Santos Warren.
Taylor Cusa (SHS '14)
Taylor recieved a Staples Class of '81 Award last year. Taylor completed her freshman year at Coastal Carolina University, where she made Dean's List and was invited into the Honors Program. She plans to major in Early Childhood Education. This summer she hopes to once again be a camp counselor and to babysit. Following college, Taylor plans to seek a teaching job in the classroom.
Michael Bottone (SHS '15)
Michael's father is Frank Bottone, a SHS graduate from the class of '79) Michael will be attending West Virgina University in the fall, pursuing a degree in civil engineering. Michael has been working as a dockhand and lifeguard at the Saugatuck Harbor Yacht Club the last few summers and will work there again this summer. Michael has been on the Honor Roll while at Staples, and was recognized as Student of the Month. Michael has been a member of both the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Teams and played on the freshman football team. Michael also finds time to volunteer with Al's Angels Thanksgiving Food Drive each November.
We proudly present our Past Receipients
Class Award 2014
At the Presentation of the STG Awards June 2014 Taylor Cusa with Aleda Santos Warren
2014 Recipients:
Michelle Muller: Michelle Muller is our 3rd year recipient and is a Graduate of 2012. Michelle is ecstatic about being a student at Savannah College of Art and Design, where she made Dean's List for both her freshman and sophomore years. Michelle is hoping to pursue a career that combines her design abilities and her passion for people and missionary work so that she can help those in dire need throughout the world. She says she "hopes to create products greater than myself." With her growing interest in cycling, she plans to combine that interest with her Industrial Design major and her minor in Design for Sustainability to possibly create practical modes of transportation for poorer countries. Clearly Michelle has been influenced by her mother, who was widowed when Michelle was eleven years old. Michelle describes her mother, a self-employed art director, as "chief encourager" who instilled in her the value of placing the needs of others before her own.
Taylor Cusa: Staples class of 2014, took Child Development first semester of her senior year and that class has set her on her path to studying Elementary Education and Child Psycology at the University of Scranton. For her Senior Internship, Taylor will be interning at the Greens Farms Nursey School where she attended as a toddler. This summer she will spend time with youngsters while working at Camp Compo. As a dedicated member of the Staples Varsity Cheerleading Team as well as XTreme Cheer, Taylor has learned what it means to be disciplined and dedicated. In addition, Taylor has met her challenges head on. She had two major conscussions and has overcome a learning disability. Taylor says of herself, "I see myself as a driven individual ready to take on the world one step at a time."
At the Staples Tuition Grants Awards Ceremony at SHS on June 5th, 2013, our very own Andre Lambros, STG's guest Donor Speaker, shared the marvelous story of our class. From Left to right: Suzanne Sherman-Propp, Grace McDavid-Seidner, Maureen Estony, Aleda Santos Warren, Andre Lambros, Carson Einarsen, Traci Martin Provost, Jeb Backus, Michelle Muller, and Jill Muller.
Because of the generous hearts and spirit of our classmates, our class award was disbursed to three deserving recipients:
Carson Einarsen: A warm, enthusiastic Staples graduate of 2012 made the Dean's List his freshman year at Savannah College of Art Design and is pursuing a Bacherlor of the Arts and hopes to become a successful illustrator, animator, and graphic storyteller. Carson launched the Faces Project, a 366-day project that had him drawing one portrait a day and was hugely popular and some of this work ended up in a special exhibit at the Westport Public Library. Carson attributes growing up in Westport and going to Staples for his passion for learning and loves sharing his knowledge when he returns home with many organizations including the Westport Art Center.
Grace McDavid-Seidner: Grace attributes our own Suzanne Sherman Propp with instilling her passion and love for musical theater and for encouraging her "to develop her singing skills". Grace will be attending Point Park University. Grace thrived in the theater program at both BMS and SHS, with many starring roles, including "Maria" in West Side Story. Grace also performs with the group "For the Heart", singing at area hospitals and nursing homes.
Michelle Muller: Is our returning recipient from last year's class reunion award. Michelle, SHS '12, will be continuing at the Savannah College of Art and Design, which she loves. Michelle is pursuing a career that combines her design abilities and her passion for people so that she can help those in dire need throughout the world. Michelle and her mother have opened their home over the past 6 years to homeless families, pregnant moms and children of divorce to live with them in their home until they can get on their feet and "do it out of love". Michelle engages in mission work overseas and in helping the homeless and elderly in Westport. She attributes her mother for instilling in her the value of placing the needs of others before her own.
Congratulations to our recipients and we celebrate this class for coming together to help them on their journeys.
Class Reunion Award 2012
Michelle Muller was awarded the Class of 1981 Reunion Grant at the awards ceremony at Staples High School on June 6, 2012. From left to right:
Aleda Santos Warren, Jill Muller, Jeb Backus, Michelle Muller,
Andre Lambros, Suzanne Sherman Propp. Thank You Class of 1981 for your generosity!
Michelle will be attending Savannah College of Art and Design where she will focus on product design and industrial design. She hopes to contribute her time, energy and talent in the shaping of a better future for others.