Some of the STG awards are created to honor a person or organization. Established and funded by individuals, companies, civic groups and foundations, these awards, like all STG awards, benefit Staples High School graduates with demonstrated financial need.
By providing tuition assistance to Staples High School seniors and graduates with demonstrated financial need, these awards help students close the gap between what their family can afford and the expected cost of tuition at the student’s chosen college or vocational school.
Some of these STG Named Awards have been awarded annually for over 50 years. They are the foundation of the Staples Tuition Grants and have helped a remarkable group of young adults go on to become productive contributors to Wesport’s community and beyond. These ‘Named’ Awards recognize beloved members of the Town of Westport.
Started by eight women and two men in 1924, the Garden Club’s roots run deep in Westport history. Today, club members continue to preserve the town’s natural beauty. The club finances this STG award with the proceeds from its annual plant sale.
In 1943, The Staples High School PTA generously funded a $100 scholarship for a graduating SHS senior with demonstrated financial need. Staples Tuition Grants was formally established. The tradition continues, and each year all of Westport’s eight schools’ PTAs, alongside Staples High School families, and our town’s elementary and middle school families, give to this to award to support our Westport young adults.
Westport Republicans is a group of men and women who see themselves as Westporters first and Republicans second. Proud of Westport, they seek to preserve its historic, educational, and artistic legacies. With their award, Westport Republicans support a student who demonstrates leadership and fortitude in the face of adversity, and whose openness, creativity and willingness to participate in spirited debate and compromise allows democracy to flourish.
Since 1923, the Westport Rotary Club’s membership has included a wide variety of Westport residents and business people. Members raise funds to support a broad array of organizations, including Staples Tuition Grants.
This award is named for the Westport Sunrise Rotary but honors the spirit and commitment of former president Dick Eldh and his wife Cheryl. Dick was a founding member of Sunrise Rotary. His goal-oriented approach and can-do spirit brought countless projects to fruition for the organization. After his death, Cheryl joined WSR and was the epitome of Rotary’s “service above self”. They are remembered by their fellow Rotarians as “absolute gems”.
The WYWL is a non-profit philanthropic organization of women committed to promoting a sense of community through volunteerism, social activities and fundraising.
The Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that supports the development of business and the local community. Since 1931, the Chamber has fostered an entrepreneurial culture. The Chamber believes strongly that an investment in Staples students is an investment in the future of Westport.
The Fable family of Westport set up a charitable trust which in part was established to assist students needing financial help while pursuing higher education. The Westport-Weston Foundation now manages the fund.
Joan and Ben Wilder raised four boys in Westport and lived here for many years. Ben appreciated and supported the importance of sports and the arts in the development of his children’s education, and continued that support through his community, government and grandchildren. He died at the age of 85 from complications of cancer. Joan was a “soccer mom” before the term was coined. She was active in a variety of causes in Westport. She died at a young age, also from cancer. Both Joan and Ben were avid supporters of the Westport Soccer Association and Staples Players.
The Board of STG established this award to show their appreciation to Dan Woog for his assistance in creating and writing the first issue of the Named Award Profile booklet. Dan continues to show his support of STG by hosting our annual Awards Night and for writing and posting articles about STG to his blog 06880 Where Westport meets the world. These articles highlight STG’s mission, goals and events, which brings public awareness and publicity to our organization.