Christopher D. Kelley, a senior partner with the Riverhead law firm Twomey, Latham, Shea, Kelley, Dubin & Quartararo, LLP, has formed a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance for local high school students preparing to go to college.
Mr. Kelley launched the East Hampton Level Playing Field Foundation (EHLPFF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping rising juniors and seniors at East Hampton High School (EHHS) who need financial assistance for college counseling and standardized test preparation. EHLPFF also provides mentoring for students and advice for parents about the college application process and covers the costs of college visits.
Mr. Kelley, EHLPFF’s president and founder, helped form the group after reading an article on two 2018 East Hampton graduates, valedictorian Alexander “Nick” Sigua Pintado and salutatorian Jonathan Gomez Barrientos, both of whom were immigrants whose families had very limited means.
“In the article, one of the students noted he was unable to pay for ACT/SAT coaching,” he said. “It occurred to us that, while we lavish so much scholarship money on graduating seniors to help defray college costs, there should be a role for assisting income-qualified students leading up to senior year, possibly beginning in sophomore year, to get into college.”
In August, EHLPFF awarded its first scholarships in the amounts of $3,000 to $10,000 to five EHHS rising juniors and seniors: Daniela Chavez, Judah D’Andrea, Rose Pillco, Jocelyn Prieto and Raymond Siguencia. “We wish to congratulate these students on being the first recipients of the EHLPFF scholarships,” Mr. Kelley said. “This will provide the needed financial assistance to those students looking to get into top-tier colleges.”
Donations may be sent to EHLPFF, 727 Accabonac Road, East Hampton, NY 11937. For students who wish to apply for a scholarship, or for more information, visit https://ehlpff.org.