PACC Hosts Annual Scholarship Benefit in Friend's Honor

Breathing life and positive energy into all of his pursuits, Steven A. Merrihew left an indelible mark on his family, friends and the greater Trumbull community when he unexpectedly died in 2005.

For the past five years, the (PACC) has sponsored a dance concert in his name to raise funds for the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship. Every year this special scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who plans to study performing arts or communications in college.

The Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship Benefit Concert will take place Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at .

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at PACC, located at 18 Lindeman Drive, and at the door.

A singer, writer and dancer, Steven helped to raise $2,500 at the first scholarship benefit. As its first recipient, Bethany Joy was awarded $2,000.

A few months later Steven was killed when a tractor trailer hit his automobile on Interstate 95. In March 2007, Catherine E. LaChioma, executive director of PACC, and her daughter, Nikole, PACC’s artistic director and Steven’s best friend, decided to rename the scholarship in his name.

Along with the Parker Project, Nikole’s non-profit dance company, PACC has awarded $30,000 to students. This year’s recipient will be announced at PACC’s Year-End Dance Concert on Saturday, June 18 at the Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport.

Nikole and Steven collaborated together on various arts-related projects.  

“Steven loved the theater and music of all kinds,” said Nikole. “He loved being part of that first benefit concert because he believed that everyone who was interested in the arts should have the opportunity to pursue their passions. I know he would be proud to have this scholarship named after him.”

As a teenager, Steven performed in school talent shows and plays. He also appeared onstage in the Follies, an annual theater production that showcases creative teens in Fairfield County. Although he occasionally stopped by to take a hip hop class at PACC, Steven’s ardent passion was writing and rhyming, said Nikole.

“He was a master of the word,” she noted.

The Merrihew family affectionately recalls how he used to be “the center of attention.” In an email, his mother and father, Annette and Bry, and sisters Christy Aedo and Jackie, pointed out how much Steven would revel in “headlining” this important show.

“Steve had an appreciation for music and dance,” they stated. “He had energy and drive to succeed and liked to keep people entertained. We know he is watching over us and loving that his scholarship in his name is helping students reach for their dreams.”

Reminiscing about Steven’s onstage debut, his family said that, beginning at his nursery school graduation ceremony, Steven was comfortable in front of crowd. Even when his young peers were looking around, “wondering what was going on and why they were in front of all these people,” Steven took the attention in stride.  

“Steven clearly belonged center stage,” they stated. “The next year he played Santa Claus in a Kindergarten performance, eating up every second of the spot light.”

Some of the leading roles Steven later performed at Bridgeport’s Polka Dot Playhouse were Patrick in “Mame” and Riff in “West Side Story.”

Steven graduated from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and was an intern at KC-101 radio station.

“If you met Steve, I can guarantee that you would never forget him,” they said. “He was one of the most charming, charismatic, funny, warm, smart and ‘suave’ people to ever live on this earth.”

Nikole dedicated a dance that she choreographed called Pasted Wings, for the first Steven A. Merrihew Scholarship Concert. This special piece will be reprised this weekend, in honor of the benefit’s fifth anniversary.  

Featured guest artists are Michael Wright, of Trumbull, and Desi Shurelds—two actors who recently returned from performing in a national tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

They will be joined onstage by students from the , PACC’s In Motion Dance Company and former and current Trumbull High School students.

“We were absolutely shaken when we heard the news about Steven’s tragic accident,” said Catherine LaChioma. “He was part of our ‘family’ from the time he and my daughter Nikole became friends in fourth grade at . There are no words to describe how saddened we all were by this great loss.”

In keeping with PACC’s mission to encourage its students to use their talents to give back to the community, it seemed natural to sponsor the scholarship in Steven’s name. The Merrihew family, along with representatives from PACC and The Parker Project, select the scholarship’s recipient.

Trumbull students interested in applying for the Steven A. Merrihew Performing Arts Scholarship could receive applications at the school’s Guidance department, PACC,  THS Career Center and at RCA.

All tickets and donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made out payable to The Parker Project. For more information, call PACC at 203-372-ARTS.