Fitch High runners receive Kelley scholarships

Jul. 18—Aliyah Benros, Silvia Chen, Thomas Forde and Carson Riley, all runners who graduated in June from Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton, have been awarded $1,500 scholarships by the John J. Kelley Memorial Fund.

Benros plans to attend Eastern Connecticut State University; Chen intends to pursue a military career; Forde will attend Stonehill College; Riley is headed for Virginia Tech. The awards were presented June 13 by Jim Roy, chairman of the memorial fund.

The scholarships are awarded annually to Fitch seniors who exhibit kindness and good sportsmanship, attributes exemplified by Kelley, a Fitch teacher and cross-country coach who won the Boston Marathon in 1957 and competed twice in the Olympics.

Friends & Neighbors is a regular feature. To submit email times@theday.com.