Three students from the class of 2025 were selected to each receive a $5,000 Kindness Scholarship from Liberty Bank. Meet the Scholars!

Wallingford Teen Elijah Barnhart Honored with 2025 Kindness Scholarship for Global Service and Compassion

Elijah Barnhart, a recent graduate of Xavier High School, has been awarded the 2025 Kindness Scholarship in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to service, compassion, and global outreach.

Elijah has participated in six mission trips to the Dominican Republic, dedicating nearly 500 hours to building homes, distributing food, and offering basic medical care to underserved communities. These trips have shaped his understanding of kindness as a deep, human connection.

“I believe kindness is the recognition of each individual's unique and abundant inner beauty, and the commitment to support and illuminate it by any means necessary,” Elijah says.

In addition to his international service, Elijah has volunteered at his church’s Vacation Bible School, served as a peer minister at school, and plans to continue his service through Villanova University’s ROTC program and a future career in the U.S. Army as a nurse.

“Elijah stands out as an extraordinarily compassionate and dedicated young man,” wrote Dr. John Powers, who has led thousands of volunteers on mission trips over the past 35 years. “His passion for helping is inspiring.”

Elijah will attend Villanova University this fall, where he intends to major in nursing.

Bristol Eastern Graduate Kyleigh Sutula Awarded 2025 Kindness Scholarship for Turning Adversity into Advocacy

Kyleigh Sutula, a recent graduate of Bristol Eastern High School, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Kindness Scholarship, honoring her unwavering compassion, resilience, and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

Diagnosed with Primary Immunodeficiency at just two years old, Kyleigh has spent her life navigating serious health challenges. But instead of letting her diagnosis define her, she transformed her experiences into a mission of kindness and service. Inspired by the care she received at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Kyleigh has dreamed since age five of becoming a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse.

Her commitment to giving back is evident in her leadership of “PJ Day for the Kids,” for which she helped raise $3,000 to benefit children at CCMC. Even while hospitalized herself in 2023, Kyleigh continued organizing the event from her hospital bed. She’s also raised funds for The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, mentored younger students through Lancer Nation, and led Project Prom to provide formalwear and services to students in need.

“She consistently demonstrates a genuine concern for others, fostering a positive and inclusive environment among her peers,” wrote Elizabeth DiLernia, her student council advisor. “Her academic success is a testament to her diligence and determination, but it is her kindness and empathy that truly set her apart,”

Staring in the fall, Kyleigh plans to study nursing at Regis College, inspired by the care she once received and now hopes to give.

Haddam Teen Saige Merwin Wins 2025 Kindness Scholarship for Inspiring Advocacy and Community Leadership

Saige Merwin, a recent graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School, has been selected as a 2025 Kindness Scholar, recognizing his extraordinary commitment to community service, advocacy, and compassion, especially within the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) community.

Diagnosed with T1D at just 17 months old, Saige has never known a life without the daily challenges of managing the disease. But instead of letting it define him, Saige has turned his diagnosis into a mission of support and empowerment for others. Through years of volunteerism, mentorship, and leadership, Saige has become a beacon of hope and kindness for young people navigating similar journeys.

“I truly believe in the power of community,” Saige says. “Helping others reminds me that [T1D] doesn’t define me as a person but has helped make me the person I am today.”

Saige’s impact is far-reaching. As a board member of Elbowbumpkid Inc., a nonprofit founded by his family, Saige manages a “diaversary” card program, sending personalized messages to children on the anniversary of their diagnosis. He also mentors younger children at monthly T1D outings, offering advice on how to manage school, sports, and life with diabetes.

Saige’s volunteer work spans nearly a decade and includes over 400 hours with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), where he served as a Youth Ambassador, top fundraiser, and even a delegate to the Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C. In 2025, he volunteered with Riding On Insulin, helping children with T1D learn to ski, proving that no diagnosis should limit a child’s potential.

This fall, Saige will attend Central Connecticut State University to study climate science and mechanical engineering.