Danbury Memorial Scholarship Fund Awards First Recipients

DANBURY, CT — It was bittersweet moments for Farley Santos and his wife Kathleen when they presented the first scholarships named in honor of their late son Landon Jack Verissimo Santos.

It's been less than a year since they lost their son but already his legacy lives on. Two students, Erin Maida and Ana Martinez, each received a $1,000 award last month from the Landon Jack Verissimo Santos Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc.

"We are so proud of the recipients and their academic achievements and community service," Santos said. "It was a bit emotional for us. But we want Landon’s short life to have a purpose. It’s important to us that we do something in his memory that builds a legacy of helping others. A legacy of love."

What began as an idea around the kitchen table has since blossomed into a scholarship fund the Santos’ are hoping to build into a self-sustaining fund that can provide awards to Danbury students for decades to come.

"We really received a tremendous amount of support from the community, our family and friends," Santos said. "Our hope is that the scholarship fund can outlive us all and help students achieve their dreams of furthering their education for generations to come."

Khloë Santos and scholarship recipient Erin Maida

Education is important to the family. Santos, an assistant vice president / community development manager with Savings Bank of Danbury and also a member of the Danbury City Council, had previously served as a member of the Board of Education. His wife is a staff member at Danbury High School. They decided to present two awards annually, one to a student from Danbury High School and another to a student from Henry Abbott Technical High School.
Hillel Goldman, a Danbury business attorney who helped the couple set up the fund, said he is proud to be a part of the effort.

"It’s an excellent example of how people can turn a tragedy into something positive," he said. "In the long run, Landon will outlive us all."

Maida ranks 16th out of her class of 601 at Danbury High School and has volunteered much of her time through local non-profits by serving local homeless shelters, soup kitchens, volunteering in elementary schools and at Ability Beyond where she worked closely with the disabled elderly. She is planning to attend Fitchburg State University where she plans to major in special education.
Martinez is also an accomplished student who has received multiple awards for her dedication to others and for volunteering with multiple community service agencies. She is a member of the National Honors Society, LEO Club, Abbott Tech Awareness Group, Recruitment Team, a Senior Ambassador, and was chosen as a student representative to the State Student Advisory on Education. She will go on to study biology at Salve Regina University and aspires to become a doctor who serves her community.

Area residents can donate to the scholarship fund online here.