CA “party bus” delivers with a four-year scholarship for Ava Dasilva
Cheshire resident Ava Dasilva probably wondered why her parents had such a long list of chores for her to do around the house on March 6. She got her answer at 10 a.m. when Director of Admission Rebecca Brooks drove the Cheshire Academy “party bus” up her driveway, joined by smiling CA staff, Head of School Tom Woelper, flowers, balloons, and the one and only Cheshire Cat mascot.
Ava, an eighth grader at Dodd Middle School, is the 2025 recipient of the Cheshire Town Scholarship.
The prestigious award, which originated in 1938, provides one incoming ninth grader from Cheshire a full, four-year scholarship to Cheshire Academy. In addition to living in town, the recipient must exemplify scholarship, citizenship, ambition, and leadership, among other qualities. Seventeen students applied for the honor this year.
“Out of all the students we interviewed, Ava stood out because of her maturity and depth,” said Sheryl Stearns, Cheshire Academy’s interim director of financial aid and senior associate director of admission. “The challenges in her life have taught her empathy and compassion, and those qualities were a throughline in our conversation. She is a straight-A student and excels at everything she does. But beyond that, I came away knowing without a shadow of a doubt that she will impact our community in countless meaningful ways.”
Ava plays club and varsity volleyball, and is in the National Junior Honor Society, math club, orchestra, and band. She also does calligraphy and loves to bake. In her essay, she exhibited a natural curiosity and love of learning.
“I try to take something away from every experience and hobby, either a lesson or a piece of knowledge,” she wrote. “All these lessons I have learned, I have taken to heart.”
Prospective students interested in applying for the Cheshire Town Scholarship for must have been a Cheshire for at least one year, and complete an interview, admission application, and essay detailing why they should be the next Town Scholar by the school’s application deadline of Feb. 1. They must also have completed the eighth grade by June 30. Partial scholarships are offered to runner-up applicants.
For more information, visit the Cheshire Academy website at cheshireacademy.org/scholarships.
