EMS PTA 2026 College Scholarships
Congratulations to all our 2025 EMS PTA Scholarship Winners! Each deserving student will receive a $250 award, fully funded by the EMS PTA.
We want to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the GHS Guidance Department in thoughtfully selecting and recognizing these exceptional student recipients.
| Ben Davenport Service Award | Girl: Joanna Shumaker Boy: Fred Shaw |
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| Book Award: Competitive Sports | Girl: Ainsley Sahrbeck Boy: Richard Sykes |
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| Book Award: Excellence in Arts |
Girl: Mio Gogate Boy: Zachary Griper |
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| Book Award: Highest GPA | Girl: Sonia Patel Boy: Michael Donovan |
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| Book Award: Leadership & Community Service | Girl: Anna Mulligan Boy: Spencer Aaronson |
Spencer Aaronson will be attending Indiana University Bloomington this fall to study Finance. Throughout his four years at GHS, he consistently earned a spot on the Principal’s Award list for academic achievement. His favorite part of high school was the strong group of friends he made and the diverse community he found at GHS—a place that encouraged meeting new people and trying new things.
Michael Donovan is honored to represent the EMS Alumni community. Next year, he will attend Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. At GHS, Michael served as a two‑time captain of the varsity sailing team, earning All‑Fairfield County First Team honors in both his junior and senior years, as well as All‑Fairfield County Crew of the Year as a junior. A dedicated musician, he was the solo trombone in the Honors Jazz Ensemble and received both the Director’s Award and an Outstanding Solo Award at the Ellington Jazz Festival. Academically, Michael was an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned awards in German, Spanish, and Biology.
Mio Gogate earned multiple math and science awards at GHS, including recognition in Chemistry, Physics, and AP Biology. She will attend Duke University, where she plans to major in Neuroscience. One of her favorite experiences in high school was taking AP Psychology, a class that sparked her deeper interest in how the brain works and shaped her academic path.
Zachary Griper was recently honored with the Band Director’s Award for his dedication to the GHS band program over the past four years. He excelled in a rigorous STEM curriculum, completing multiple AP math and science courses, and was an active member of the Social Studies, Math, and Science Honor Societies. Zachary will attend Penn State to study Biomedical Engineering, with interests in the biopharmaceutical, biomedical pre‑med, and biomechanical fields. One of his most memorable GHS experiences was performing in the orchestra pits for Oklahoma! and The Little Mermaid, two productions he describes as truly unforgettable.
Anna Mulligan completed her Girl Scout Gold Award by creating the Perrot Memorial Seed Library and has contributed over 120 hours of community service since middle school. She maintained High Honor Roll throughout all four years at GHS. This fall, Anna will attend the University of Vermont, where she plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences on a Pre Vet track before pursuing a Veterinary Sciences doctorate. One of her most meaningful experiences at GHS was serving as Co President of the Hand and Paw Club, where she loved leading projects that supported local shelters and the animals they care for.
Sonia Patel will study Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of Michigan. She is nationally certified in emergency medical care through Greenwich EMS, with experience in both the Greenwich Hospital Emergency Department and ambulance-based patient care. She is also a competitive dancer and teaching assistant at Locust Performing Arts Center, and she co-founded the Exploring the Biomedical Universe Club to bring science education to local nursing homes. Sonia is a member of the National Honor Society, National French Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and Mu Alpha Theta.
Ainsley Sahrbeck is an All‑FCIAC swimmer, All‑State swimmer, and All‑State Scholar‑Athlete who captained the GHS State Class LL and State Open Championship Swim Team her senior year. She also earned the Principal’s Award for high academic achievement. This fall, Ainsley will attend Duke University. She reflects on her time at GHS with gratitude for the incredible teachers, the new people she met, and the sense of accomplishment she gained from balancing a rigorous academic load with two varsity sports, including water polo.
Fred Shaw is proud to have won back to back state championships in rugby during his time at GHS. Next year, he will attend the University of St Andrews to study Financial Economics and Physics. Throughout high school, Fred served as Vice President of Greenwich Junior United Way, where he gained meaningful opportunities for community service, and he also spent two years participating in the AVID Tutoring program. These experiences shaped his growth and strengthened his commitment to helping others.
Joanna Shumaker earned the Social Studies Recognition Award and the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award during her time at GHS. A highlight of her high school career was serving as Co‑Founder and Mentor of the Greenwich Chapter of Ms. President, where she helped inspire young girls to pursue leadership. Joanna will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, planning to study Political Science and Psychology on a Pre‑Law track.
Richard Sykes is a highly accomplished competitive sailor, placing 5th at the 2025 i420 World Championships and becoming a three‑time i420 National Champion. He will attend Stanford University, where he plans to sail and major in Mathematics. At GHS, a highlight of his academic career was joining the National Honor Society and earning two science awards, achievements that reflect both his dedication and curiosity.
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