The Isidore Wise Scholarship Fund was established through the extraordinary generosity of Mr. Isidore Wise, who served on the Newington Children’s Hospital Board of Directors for 45 years. Since 1996, Connecticut Children’s has proudly honored his legacy by awarding scholarships to exceptional high school seniors who are current or former patients.

This year, three students were selected to receive top awards of $5,000 each in recognition of their academic achievement, resilience, and determination.

 

Meet This Year's Scholarship Winners

2025 Isidore Wise Scholarship Recipients

 

Ava Constantine

A diagnosis of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and the possibility of never walking again fueled Ava’s determination to beat the odds. Through hundreds of surgeries, clinical trials, procedures, and tremendous amounts of pain she endured, she took every opportunity to learn, grow, and become an inspiration to others—including securing her Certified Nurse Aide license at the age of 16 to work in healthcare. Her positive experiences at Connecticut Children’s informed her decision to pursue a career in pediatric nursing, so she may one day be able to return to Connecticut Children’s to care for children and give back to the community that saw her through a challenging childhood. She plans to attend Central Connecticut State University this fall.

 

 

Matthew Lara

After a diagnosis of Lyme Disease from a tick bite at 5 years old, Matthew was treated for an infection that did more damage than anyone expected: it reached his left temporal lobe, causing seizures. While controlled for a time, the seizures returned during high school, creating cycles of new medications, side effects, fatigue and recovery with a prospect of a period of calm before the cycle of seizures start again. A dedicated runner, Matthew captained his high school track team. And through his experience at Connecticut Children’s, he “learned that resilience isn’t about powering through like nothing’s wrong. It’s about learning how to move through life with your challenges—not in spite of them and not defined by them, either.” He will attend Springfield College to study environmental sciences to connect the wellbeing of people and the planet.

 

 

Charlotte Wesoloskie

While she may not remember all she endured as a newborn diagnosed with cancer in her chest wall—having surgeries to remove the cancer and several ribs, plus undergoing aggressive chemotherapy— Charlotte spent her first year fighting for a chance to grow up. Through the years, she continued to be followed by specialists at Connecticut Children’s. Charlotte is a top-ranked student, softball and volleyball state champion and All-State volleyball player. Dedicated to helping fight childhood cancer, Charlotte and her family founded PJ Day for the Kids, which has raised more than $4 million for pediatric cancer care, research and family support since 2011.  At Quinnipiac University, Charlotte will pursue her dream of becoming a pediatric oncology physician assistant, in order to provide the same empathetic care she experienced.

 

In addition, several other applicants received scholarship support, thanks to the continued generosity of the Isidore Wise Scholarship Fund. 

Please join us in congratulating all of the inspiring members of the Class of 2025 who applied. Each one has overcome significant health challenges on the way to a bright and promising future, and we are honored to be a part of their journey.