Saturday night Wake Forest High School senior Isaac Lanzon and Heritage High School senior Sammy Quiroz-Gutierrez were named the 2018 Trentini scholars during the Trentini Foundation’s annual dinner.
The two were chosen from six students each from the two schools, all chosen by a committee for their achievements as a student, an athlete and a community member. There was another contest for the community college scholarship offered only at Wake Forest High, where Stephen Knecht won the $1,000, graduated early and is already enrolled at Wake Technical Community College.
The top winner at Wake Forest High receives a $30,000 scholarship; the winner at Heritage High receives a $5,000 scholarship. The other selected students at Wake Forest receive $1,000 each, and those at Heritage receive $250 each.
The five Wake Forest students receiving a $1,000 scholarship are Ally Cefalu, Hannah Dion, Jonathon Hughes, Nicolas Kelly and Erica Spruill. The five students at Heritage receiving a $250 scholarship are Alexis Harper, Dominic Manzo, Evan Savage, Kayla Cook and Lea Yorke.
Lanzon is a four-year runner for track and cross country, is a member of National Honor Society as well as the Latin and Science honor societies and is an Eagle Scout and junior assistant scoutmaster for Troop 5. Of the Trentini award, Lanzon said: “The Trentini Scholarship and Foundation are local and perpetual reminders of the exemplary person Anthony Trentini was and the values he shared amongst his students and athletes. The Trentini Scholarship serves as motivation to the present generation to carry on his legacy of service while opening the door to future opportunities among the finalists.”
Quiroz-Gutierrez graduated from the Wake Forest Youth Leadership program, is president of the Spanish Honor Society and is a Sin Limites peer mentor for ESL students. She said: “
In her own words: “Being a finalist for the Trentini scholarship is an honor for me, because it indicates that I am a student who has emulated the values that Coach Trentini taught during his lifetime. Not only do the scholarship and banquet unite community members, but they unite them in respect and admiration for the life and impact of Coach Trentini. Through the Foundation, I will be given the opportunity to engage and connect with other scholars and adults from the town who value education. I am honored to be able to share this opportunity with the other finalists from my school; all of us are excellent students and leaders who will go on to do great things for the Town of Wake Forest.”
