Twelve Newton high school graduates will head to college in fall 2026 with scholarship money from a local foundation that has been supporting students for nearly three decades.

The Auburndale Community Charitable Foundation, affiliated with The Village Bank, awarded $54,000 in scholarships to 19 area students on Aug. 18. Of those, 12 went to Newton North and Newton South graduates in the Class of 2026.

Newton South graduates Roaa Ben Aiad and Anika Thomas each received $10,000, the program's top awards. The foundation recognized both for academic excellence and leadership in community and charitable work.

Ten more Newton graduates received $2,000 scholarships:

  • Newton North: Melanie Burke, Alyssa Connelly, Renee Frenette, Anhelina Ivanova, Michael Quinn, Sophia "Logan" Richard, Lillian Santangelo, Frederick Torcasio and Colleen Walsh
  • Newton South: Forest Lanciloti

That's $40,000 directed to Newton families.

Joseph A. De Vito, president and CEO of The Village Bank, announced the awards. The foundation has given scholarships to local high school students since 1998, with recipients free to apply the money toward tuition, room and board or supplies at the college of their choice. This year's $54,000 across 19 recipients marks an increase from 2025, when the foundation awarded $52,000 to 18 students.

Also in the news: Newton North grad elected Colorado College student body president

Sophia Murphy, a 2023 Newton North graduate, was elected student body president at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., according to Fig City News. Murphy, a psychology major in the Class of 2027, has served in student government since her first year, holding class representative seats as a freshman, sophomore and junior. The Catalyst, Colorado College's student newspaper, profiled her as president-elect in April.

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