Somers High School Student Receives Gene Pitney Scholarship

Amanda Connor, a senior, was recently awarded the 2011 Gene Pitney Scholarship in Music.

There was a private ceremony held at diner in Rockville where Connor received the $1,000 scholarship.

This is the the 5th annual Gene Pitney Commemorative Committee, and was presented by Cliff Edwards, GPCC President, Brian Frederick, GPCC Vice President and Sandi LaChappelle, Chairman of the GPCC Scholarship Committee.

This was the 1st time a Somers High School student was selected for the award. The GPCC voted last year to include Somers High School in the annual scholarship consideration. Previously, only  students were eligible.

The committee decided to include Somers High School students because the Pitney family resides in Somers and a substantial portion of the annual funding comes from the "Cars Are The Stars" group in Somers, who hosts a summer car show to honor Pitney and raise money for the scholarship.

This show, called "Cars Are The Stars - Show & Shine" will be held this year on June 18 at the on Route 83 in Somers.

Connor was joined by her mother and father, Beth and Tim Connor, her brother Ryan, and grandmother Joan Hirsh. Tony Campanelli, Connor's high school Music Teacher also attended to congratulate her on her achievment. 
 
Connor will be continuing her education at Rhode Island College in Providence and will be majoring in Music Education. She hopes to someday become a music teacher.