Roaa Ben Aiad and Anika Thomas, both of Newton South HS ’26, each received a $10,000 scholarship from the Auburndale Community Charitable Foundation, affiliated with The Village Bank. The awards honor the students’ “academic excellence and leadership involvement in community and charitable initiatives.”
Through the same program, the following Newton 2026 high-school graduates received $2,000 scholarships for their academic excellence and leadership involvement in community and charitable initiatives:
- Concord Academy: Averie Lee
- Gann Academy: Jessica Klibaner-Schiff
- Newton North HS: Melanie Burke, Alyssa Connelly, Renee Frenette, Anhelina Ivanova, Michael Quinn, Sophia “Logan” Richard, Lillian Santangelo, Frederick Torcasio, Colleen Walsh
- Newton South HS: Forest Lanciloti
Sophia Murphy (Newton North HS ’23) has been elected President of the Student Body of Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO.
Lauren Solotar, CEO of the May Institute, has joined the board of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers. A licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist, Solotar began her career at May Institute more than 30 years ago, first as chief psychologist and vice president of clinical services, and then as chief clinical officer. The May Institute offers multi-disciplinary educational, rehabilitative, and Applied Behavior Analysis services to autistic individuals and individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and neurobehavioral disorders across the lifespan.