FAIFIELD — Aiden Otey, a junior at Notre Dame Prep of Sacred Heart University, said he would have been happy receiving even a $500 scholarship, but what he got was beyond his wildest dreams.
He thought he was walking into a normal, boring assembly Monday morning. Little did he know, he would be awarded a $40,000 scholarship in front of hundreds of his peers, with his father proudly cheering for him in the front row.
"I was really nervous the entire time because I had no idea what it was; no one told me," Otey said.
Otey, a Hamden resident, was presented the scholarship from the College Board BigFuture Scholarship Program by Associate Director Jeffrey Roth. The program allows students to apply for the monthly drawings of $500 and $40,000 scholarships with minimal requirements.
During what started as an informational assembly on what the program has to offer, Otey was "chosen" from the audience and brought up front.
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When it was announced that he won the $40,000 scholarship, the nearly 400 students in the room erupted in applause, while Otey stood in shock and his father, Christopher Bessette, hugged him tightly.
Bessette said one of the biggest values he instilled in his son was not giving up, even if his any of his pursuits were unsuccessful. Instead, he told Otey to "learn from it, grow from it and get back up there to change the game and figure out how to succeed."
Born in Bridgeport, Otey said his dream is to become an accountant, and follow his father's footsteps into finance.
"I want to become an accountant because I was always taught, especially by him, that no matter what the economic situation is, you always need an accountant," he said.
Raised solely by his father, Otey said he overcame some rough beginnings as a child and is grateful for their tight-knit relationship.
"Every time I've needed help, I can always count on him to be there. He is my lighthouse right there," Otey said. "My father is my motivation, my inspiration, love him to death and I want to make him proud. And I’m glad I got this because now I have more opportunity to make him proud."
Bessette, 53, said his son is a caring person who aspires to help other children overcome any struggles they might be facing in silence.
"He has aspirations someday of being able to help those kids and be able to tell them success can occur and you can get out of it and there are people who are there to help," he said. "He wants to be part of that; its personal to him and something relatable."
Otey said he already has his career goals and dream school picked out.
"Because I want to go into business and accounting and get my Master's in economics and finance, I would say that college is really important to me," he said. "And Sacred Heart University – because I’m picking there – has probably one of the best college business programs."
Otey said he's always been passionate about mathematics and wanted to use it to fuel a life he can be proud of with "no regrets."
"I’m a very good math student, I love math. So I want to do something I know I can do for the next 50 years and still love," Otey said.
Christopher Cipriano, who's been principal at Notre Dame Prep for 15 years, said Otey's accomplishment is a testament to what is possible for all the other students too.
"They saw a classmate win this money, so I think it makes it real and hopefully gives them a reason to hop on and begin the process," Cipriano said.
He said due to cuts in education on the federal level, a scholarship like this is paramount to ensuring a student's success in funding their college career.
"Every little bit helps because college is just so overwhelmingly expensive and we know students need a college degree to really do what they want in life," he said. "... You have to take advantage of these opportunities and I’m so glad Aiden did that."
Sen. Tony Hwang, R-Fairfield, who attended the assembly, said it is important to celebrate students' achievements.
"I think these kind of stories, to honor Aiden through this scholarship recognition, is an acknowledgement for so many other kids who are striving to do their best and fulfill their potential," Hwang said. "I appreciate being here, being supportive and recognizing the successes of our young people."
May 20, 2025
General Assignment Reporter
Shaniece Holmes-Brown is a reporter with the Trumbull Times. She served as a Hearst Newspapers Reporting Fellow from 2021-2023, working at both the Times Union in Albany, New York and the Houston Chronicle. She has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2023. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, reading books, cooking and watching documentaries on Netflix.