This Sunday, June 3, one Wilton family will open up their home and gorgeous garden for a Festive Garden Party to benefit A Better Chance of Wilton (ABC). As 200 guests step into the flowering refuge hidden within Wilton Center, they will also play an important role in helping Wilton’s ABC scholars take their own steps forward with an education that otherwise might have been out of reach.
For the past 21 years, ABC of Wilton has made it possible for promising minority students, frequently from economically-disadvantaged, inner-city areas, to attend Wilton High School and access a quality high school education and rigorous academic discipline, increasing their chances of attending college. During the four years they spend in Wilton, the ABC Scholars live together in two houses (one for boys and one for girls), both owned by the program, along with resident directors/house parents. The scholars not only attend Wilton High School but they participate in many extracurricular activities, both at school and in the community. Since 1997 Wilton has graduated 42 scholars, who have gone on to colleges like Duke, Tufts, Princeton, Notre Dame, Amherst, NYU, Princeton, and more.
To find out just how critical the organization can be in the life of the students who are accepted into Wilton’s ABC program, GOOD Morning Wilton asked ABC’s two graduating seniors from the Class of 2018 for their insight about the program and how they have benefitted from having been selected as ABC scholars. Knowing how ABC helps these scholars blossom, guests who will attend Sunday’s event among the lush flowers can be reminded of the continuing need to help grow the ABC program and nurture the students. And for anyone unable to attend the Garden Party on Sunday, ABC always welcomes donations via its website.
Now, meet Peter Delfeus (above left) and Joel Darkwah (above right), ABC Scholars and members of the WHS Class of 2018.
Peter Delfeus
Peter is a senior from Rockaway Beach in Queens, NY. He volunteers at the Wilton Meadows Nursing Home and is involved with the Top Inclusion Models and the American Cancer Society Club. Peter played football and is an honor roll student. He hopes to pursue a career in mathematics or medicine, and will be attending Providence College in the fall.
What was the biggest surprise when you came to Wilton?
The biggest surprise when I came to Wilton was how friendly the people are. Everyone here seems like they want to know you and learn about your background and that helped me feel comfortable. Coming from New York, it’s different because people on the streets do not just say hi to you or ask how your day is going like the people in Wilton.
What’s been the best thing about being an ABC scholar?
The best thing about being an ABC scholar was going to Wilton High School. Meeting new people was great for me socially and it helped me break out of my comfort zone. The high school also has many different activities in which I got involved in and helped me discover interests that I will take with me in college, such as volunteering and recreational basketball.
What’s been the hardest thing about being an ABC scholar?
The hardest thing about being an ABC scholar is that your life is so much different from everyone around you. The community has been great in supporting us while we are here and we are very grateful for that. However, not being able to drive and not having your parents with you to handle things such as laundry can be very difficult to deal with at times.
What advice would you give to an incoming ABC freshman scholar?
The advice I would give to an incoming ABC freshman is to study hard. This is an academic program and you want to get the best grades possible in order to have a chance at getting into the college of your dreams. Always remember that grades come first. Playing sports and doing many activities is great and all, but you want to make sure you live up to the standards that many people know you are capable of living up to.
What has been your favorite thing about Wilton?
My favorite thing about Wilton has most certainly been the people. I have met some amazing people, from my closest friends to my host family to other adults in the community. All of them are very supportive of me and I am very grateful to meet them. The connections I have built have been in large part due to the opportunity the program has given to me and I for sure have not taken it for granted.
Joel Darkwah
Joel is from the Bronx. He runs cross country in the fall and played on the freshman basketball team. He plans to pursue a career in medicine, and will attend SUNY Binghampton in the fall.
What was the biggest surprise when you came to Wilton?
The biggest surprise for me was making friends really quickly. I thought that it would take some time, but I had a couple of friends within the first week of school.
What’s been the best thing about being an ABC scholar?
The best thing about being an ABC scholar is getting to know the town very well. I feel like I have met all sorts of people–all of whom have helped me one way or the other.
What’s been the hardest thing about being an ABC scholar?
Learning how to live independently is the hardest part of being an ABC kid. There are lots of rules to follow, and sometimes it can be hard. But I’ve learned to overcome this problem.
What advice would you give to an incoming ABC freshman scholar?
High school will have lots of ups and downs but never lose sight of who you are. Let all the good and bad in your high school career make you a stronger, better version of yourself.
What has been your favorite thing about Wilton?
Besides everyone I know right now my favorite part of Wilton is the scenery. It’s a really beautiful town, and it’s going to be hard to leave that behind.