Redding Republicans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Finn Bermingham Awarded Redding Republicans’ Matthew L. Berry Scholarship

Three other Joel Barlow students receive recognition from Redding Republicans.

(Redding, June 1) Finn Bermingham, a member of the Joel Barlow High School graduating class of 2026 and son of John and Rachel Birmingham of Redding, was awarded the Redding Republicans’ Matthew L. Berry Memorial Scholarship, given at the school’s Award Night Ceremony on May 28th.

The scholarship, which is sponsored by the Redding Republican Town Committee and funded by the Berry family, is given annually to a graduating Joel Barlow High School senior who demonstrates a commitment to using his/her higher education for the purpose of becoming an enlightened citizen who will make a difference in the world. The scholarship is in memory of Matthew L. Berry, a 2009 graduate of Joel Barlow High School and a 2013 graduate of Tulane University.

Mr. Bermingham, a high honors student throughout his 4 years at Joel Barlow, is receiving a Diploma with Distinction. He is a member of the French Honor Society, the Tri-M Music Honors Society and was the 2025 winner of the Redding Republicans’ Ronald Reagan Book Award for excellence in history and social sciences. He was also the 2025 winner of the Trinity College Book Award and the Dr. Hugh Claremont Science Award. Additionally, he received the 2025 NCTE Achievement Award with Superior Distinction and was the 2024 high-scorer on the JWP school-assessed Writing Portfolio.

At this year’s Barlow Awards Night, Mr. Bermingham was also the recipient of these additional awards: the Administrator’s Service Award; The Joel Barlow Education Association Award; The Youth Mental Health First Aid Award; The Kind Works Scholarship; the Joel Barlow High School Outstanding Achievement in Academics and the Arts Award; the Connecticut Music Educators Association Regional and All-State Awards; the American Mathematics Competition Award; the National School Choral Award; the Joel Barlow Scholarship Fund Award.

Outside the classroom, Finn has been active in a number of organizations including the Joel Barlow Theater, the Joel Barlow A Ca****la Group, the JBHS Nest school news and the JBHS Math Club. He’s also member of the JBHS Chamber Choir and has been published in the schools literary magazine, the Wayfarer.

This fall he will be attending the University of Connecticut and plans pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
On winning the Matthew L. Berry Scholarship Mr. Bermingham said, “It’s an incredible honor to be seen and heard in such a way. I’m glad to be able to share my passions in the hope that they are recognized and able to better the world.” Leonard Berry, Matthew’s father, said, “We are proud to honor Finn as the 2026 recipient of Matt’s scholarship. Finn has achieved a very impressive array of accomplishments both inside and outside of the classroom. We are sure he will continue this strong performance as he enters college in the fall. We are very appreciative of the continuing partnership with the Redding Republican Town Committee in sponsoring the scholarship.” William Miller, Chairman of the Republican Town Committee added, “It’s an honor for us to co-sponsor this award, together with the Berry family, and pay tribute to such an outstanding young person.”

Three other awards sponsored by the Republican Town Committee were given out at the Award Ceremony. They were:

The Ronald Reagan Award for excellence in history/government presented to Sean Rinaldi, a junior.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Award for excellence in science/math presented to Sara Perales-Hudson, a junior

The David A. Sanford Award for excellence in service to the Emergency Medical Services presented to James Jandura, a senior.

CT students deserve better than continued failed leadership and scandals in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) education system!