Meet Your Neighbors: The ABC Scholars of Wilton — A Gift to Wilton That Has Been Giving Since 1996

Each morning, seniors Kianna and JoAnna, sophomore Tifany and freshmen Astrid and Caylee awaken, have breakfast and get ready for their day at Wilton High School. They are social, bright and motivated students. They are the Scholars of A Better Chance of Wilton.

History

In the 1960s, A Better Chance (ABC), an innovative national experiment, was designed to expand educational opportunities for gifted young people of color. In the 1970s, A Better Chance broadened its placements from independent boarding schools to include public schools. These students reside in a house supported and managed by the community, staffed with resident directors, and attend the local public high school. ​

Since opening its doors in the fall of 1996, A Better Chance of Wilton has been transforming lives through educational opportunity at Wilton High School, which is consistently rated among the top public high schools in Connecticut.

Marylynne Clune, a founding chapter board member since 1996, is still volunteering with the organization.

“It is the youth that has kept me involved for so many years. An ability to develop relationships and spend time with these kids and, of course, the wonderful friendships made on the board. I can’t imagine not getting to know these wonderful teens,” Clune said.

ABC of Wilton improves college acceptance chances for the scholars through a hosted environment that reinforces academic excellence and supports talented young women of color so they can realize their potential.

Scholars are selected from underserved academic communities that are unable to match the students’ capabilities. Wilton High School ABC graduates have gone on to four-year colleges and universities, graduate school and careers in technology, service, teaching, finance and business.

Scholar Life

The five scholars live in the ABC House, a four-bedroom, craftsman-style home with the scholars’ resident director who has her own one-bedroom dwelling on the first floor. The house chef has served up nutritious meals for 15 years. The ABC Wilton scholars’ home is situated in Wilton’s town center, providing town resources for the scholars to access.

Living in the home provides a balance of responsibilities and opportunities for new experiences. As scholarship students, the scholars have strict study schedules and requirements for afterschool activities. Fun experiences help to balance residential living. Some of the fun opportunities have included mini golf, trips into New York City and even a weekend trip to Washington, D.C. with former longtime ABC president, Nancy Peters.

Each year, the scholars choose organizations to give of their time. This year, they volunteered at Filling In the Blanks in Norwalk, an organization dedicated to serving children and families with food insecurities. They are also involved with Minks to Sinks benefitting Family and Children’s Agency.

ABC of Wilton supports its scholars both in and out of the classroom. Senior JoAnna and sophomore Tifany, both musicians, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with Wilton’s highly regarded music adjudication program. “The clinic is always a good experience and the Boston trip last year was a lot of fun too,” JoAnna shared upon her return.

Support from Community Volunteers

Community members and leaders are also instrumental to the support and enrichment of the scholars’ experience at ABC of Wilton. ABC volunteers include a working Board of Directors, host families, drivers, college coaches and scholar advocates, all ensuring the scholars have the resources to thrive.

Host families open their hearts and homes to the scholars throughout each month in an immersion-based program that provides family connection and support. Wilton’s First Selectman Toni Boucher hosted the scholars for a two-part series on public service and leadership.

Reaching A Milestone

As this school year begins to wind down, ABC seniors JoAnna and Kianna are ready for their senior work experiences. They are signed up for PGP, ordered their cap and gowns, getting ready for prom and are reflective of what ABC Wilton has offered them over their four years at Wilton High School.

Senior Kianna reflected on not only the academics but also her experiences. “I felt like the opportunity through the ABC was an added education not just for school but for life. I learned so much about the world and myself,” she said.

Community Support

It is through the acknowledgement of our abundance and the generosity of giving that continues to keep A Better Chance of Wilton with the resources necessary to recruit potential scholars each year. The ABC of Wilton program relies exclusively on private donations and fundraising events within the community, with all of the monies raised supporting the program’s efforts.

Looking ahead, ABC Wilton has invited the community to support its mission through its upcoming signature fundraising event, the annual ABC of Wilton House Tour, which is taking place on Friday, Jun. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities and ticket pricing are now available online, and tickets will go on sale soon.

For more information about the scholars, the ABC program and the 2025 House Tour visit the ABC of Wilton website. For the latest updates, you can find A Better Chance of Wilton on Facebook and Instagram.