Students Launch Dream Projects with Chauncey Fellowship
Fellowship Selects Two New Haven Area College Graduates
The second annual Chauncey Fellowship has been awarded to two local college seniors who will pursue innovative projects in public service and the arts. Anya AitSahlia, of Yale University, and Julien Sanchez-Levallois, of Southern Connecticut State University, were selected by the fellowship advisory committee, and will each receive a one-year stipend and student loan repayment.
AitSahlia, a Florida native, plans to develop social and educational enrichment activities for children who live with chronic illnesses in long-term pediatric care facilities. Sanchez-Levallois is shooting a feature film set in New Haven, his hometown.
The Chauncy Fellowship’s purpose is to provide promising New Haven area college graduates with the freedom to experience a year of following their passions and working on self-directed projects in public service or the arts. Teacher advisors nominate recipients for their high character, record of public service or artistic achievement, initiative and innovativeness. Created at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven by the late Edward “Edder” Bennet, Yale Class of 1984, the fellowship honors Henry “Sam” Chauncey, the former secretary of Yale, founder of Science Park and President of Gaylord Hospital. At Yale, Chancey mentored generations of undergraduates, emphasizing the importance of extending the lessons of the classroom into real-world experience.
AitSahlia, a classics major and pre-medicine, developed her project idea after working at a camp for children with chronic illnesses and then visiting one of the campers who lived in a long-term pediatric care facility. She saw a need for more enrichment activities for the children and plans to work in partnership with care facilities.
Sanchez-Levallois, who went to New Haven’s Cooperative Arts & Humanities Magnet High School prior to Southern, is a musician with a lifelong passion for film. He is working on a feature film that will showcase New Haven, cast local actors and employ local musicians for the soundtrack.
