Fairfield, CT – The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce recently presented its ninth annual Fairfield Emerging Leaders Organization (FELO) Scholarship Awards, on June 8, honoring one graduating senior from Fairfield Warde High School and one from Fairfield Ludlowe High School, who plan to further their studies in the area of Business and Finance.
The 2023 FELO Scholarship Awards were presented to Aidan Roche of Fairfield Warde High School, and Aryan Maheshwari, of Fairfield Ludlowe High School. Both students maintained standards of excellence throughout their four years of high school, revealed a strong interest in business, and embodied excellent volunteer and leadership qualities.
Aidan Roche, graduate of Fairfield Warde High School, will be attending Elon University where he will be majoring in business.
Throughout his years in high school, Aidan was an extremely hardworking and a dedicated student. He was an active participant in the Business Department at Fairfield Warde High School, where he completed Introduction to Business, Business of Sports and Entertainment, Marketing, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Computer Science Principles, and Computer Games Programming. He took a total of four AP classes and earned a GPA of 3.96. Aidan played baseball and was an award-winning member of the swim team. He also worked summers both as a lifeguard and as a helper in his father’s business.
Aryan Maheshwari , graduate of Fairfield Ludlowe High School, will be attending Bryant University to study business. Throughout his years in high school, Aryan reached a 3.46 GPA, while taking six AP, many honors classes, and an array of business classes.
Aryan describes his entrepreneurial spirit as being a defining characteristic and runs his own business, East Coast Gym Equipment, a wholesale gym equipment and fitness consulting company, that he started during the pandemic. Aryan was also very active in both school activities and community service, sharing his passion for business and fitness and holding many leadership roles.
He was a member of Future Business Leaders of America (VP, recipient of the FBLA Gold Chapter Award, State Award for Businesses Introduction, and Community Service Award), Fairfield Cares Youth Committee (President, recognized by district health teachers), Debate Team, Muscles for Mental Health Club (founder & President), Cycling Club (Secretary), and the Boy Scouts Merit Badge Club (President). Outside of school, he is an Eagle Scout and Senior Patrol Leader, a student teacher at his Hindi school, and a volunteer for Al’s Angels.
The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and FELO congratulate these already accomplished students, wishing them much success and happiness as they move next into their college years and throughout their career. “The Chamber’s support of our local graduates through FELO’s scholarships, enables us to be a part of each student’s college success.” Balaz added, “Business is a great college major, and mastering basic business principles, whether in finance, marketing, sales, operations, technology, etc., creates a strong skill set that can be applied to any business or industry, whether entrepreneurial or corporate.”
This year, under the leadership of FELO Chair Joanmarie Zoeller, FELO raised enough money to once again, present two scholarships. In nine years, FELO has awarded a total of $25,000 in Fairfield student scholarships.
FELO which is part of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, is an emerging leaders’ group, whose goal is to network, share ideas, and discuss challenges to help them achieve success as they continue their career path towards more senior-level management positions. In addition to FELO’s many fundraising events, educational and professional development programs, ‘community give-back’ is core to its mission. And, that is why the FELO scholarship program is so important and why FELO members work so hard during the year.
Both the Chamber and FELO would like to once again, congratulate this year’s scholarship recipients, Aidan Roche and Aryan Maheshwari, on their hard work that earned them the 2023 FELO scholarship. “We’re excited to be a part of their journey towards a fulfilling college experience and a successful future ahead”, states Beverly.
For more information about FELO, or the Chamber, please contact the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce: 203-255-1011 or email the Chamber President Beverly Balaz: Beverly@FairfieldCTChamber.com.