The Persbacker Family Fund at Connecticut Community Foundation has awarded college scholarships of $5,000 each to five Bridgewater residents for the 2022-23 academic year.

The Persbacker Family Fund is among the largest college scholarship funds available to students residing in Bridgewater, Connecticut. To receive an award from the fund, a student must demonstrate an outstanding commitment to community service in the town of Bridgewater, and the student’s primary residence must have been in Bridgewater for at least six years. The honors are renewable for up to four years.

Former Bridgewater resident Victor L. Persbacker established the scholarship fund at the Foundation with the intention of making college more affordable for local students who are involved in volunteer work throughout the Bridgewater community.

“Recipients of Persbacker family scholarships are exceptional scholars and deeply committed to the Bridgewater community,” said Josh Carey, director of grants management at Connecticut Community Foundation. “Their volunteerism seems to have no bounds. Over the years, students have given countless hours of their time to the Burnham Library, Bridgewater Parks and Recreation camp, faith communities, and numerous other organizations in town. We hope that they will continue to be community leaders as their journeys continue.”

The Persbacker Fund has awarded scholarships totaling over $285,000 to 36 students since its inception in 2004. Congratulations to the following scholars for the 2022-2023 academic year:

Taryn Crossley
University of Connecticut, Class of 2024
Field of Study: Environmental Studies

Julia Sinatra
Hamilton College, Class of 2024
Field of Study: Languages, Literature and Linguistics

Bailey Herron
Elon University, Class of 2024
Field of Study: Spanish and Political Science

Annika Vikstrom
Middlebury College, Class of 2025
Field of Study: Liberal Arts and Sciences / Humanities

Sierra Wilson
Delaware Valley University, Class of 2025
Field of Study: Agriculture and Related Sciences

Evan Woerner
Quinnipiac University, Class of 2026
Field of Study: Biology and Biomedical Sciences

Learn more about the scholarship program at Connecticut Community Foundation at www.conncf.org/scholarships.

Established in 1923, Connecticut Community Foundation fosters an equitable and inclusive community in Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills by inspiring generosity, supporting organizations and cultivating effective leaders. The Foundation provides leadership in addressing the region’s critical issues, strengthens local nonprofit organizations through grants and technical assistance programs, and works with individuals, families and corporations to establish and steward scholarships and charitable funds. Learn more at www.conncf.org.