The Connecticut REALTORS® Foundation recently awarded their 2026 Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarships. The Raymond F. Gates, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1976 in memory of Raymond F. Gates, Jr. following his tragic death in an automobile accident. Mr. Gates was the Executive Vice President of the Connecticut REALTORS®. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Connecticut REALTORS® Foundation is proud to announce that42 scholarships totaling $48,000 dollars to children of CTR members and association staff. GHAR is proud to announce the 9 winners that were among the 42 recipients. This is the 50th anniversary of the Gates Scholarship fund, with more than $1.3 million dollars awarded since inception.
Zachary Cooper currently attends the Rochester Institute of Technology majoring in Software Engineering. This summer he will be completing a summer software co-op where he will be able to apply his technical and problem-solving skills to real engineering challenges. Zachary is the son of Designated REALTOR® Kathleen Sposato of Sposato Realty Group in Woodstock and a member of GHAR.
Ashia Durrant recently graduated from A.I. Prince Technical High School and is looking forward to her freshman year at the University of Hartford. With a long-term goal of becoming a construction manager, she’s planning to study Civil Engineering. Ashia is the daughter of REALTOR® Terence Durrant of Tinker Realty & Insurance in Hartford and a member of GHAR.
Hasana Durrant is a recent high school graduate who will attend CT State Community College (Manchester) where she’ll be majoring in Baking & Pastry Arts with the hope of one day becoming a pastry or private chef. Hasana is the daughter of REALTOR® Terence Durrant of Tinker Realty & Insurance in Hartford and a member of GHAR.
Maya Kasica currently attends Fairfield University where she is working to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing as well as a Registered Nurse license. She would like to work in pediatric nursing and become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Maya is the daughter of REALTOR® Katarzyna Kasica with Century 21 All Points Realty in Southington and a member of GHAR.
Eric Luo attends Cornell University and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He has developed an increasing interest in computational analysis and may consider going on for his master’s degree in engineering. For the summer, he is looking forward to interning with HyAxiom, a company that specializes in hydrogen fuel cells. Eric is the son of REALTOR® Liping (Lisa) Tan with Vision Real Estate in Unionville and a member of GHAR.
Charlotte Minnick just completed her second year at Dickinson College where she studies Environmental Science and French & Francophone Studies. She aspires to become an environmental scientist focused on water, air, wildlife or plants. Charlotte is the daughter of REALTOR® Lynn Prevost Minnick of Carl Guild & Associates in East Hampton and a member of GHAR.
Yvaine Montalvo Martinez recently graduated high school and plans to start her college career at Central CT State University. Looking to study General Biology, she would like to become either a Neuroscientist, Cardiologist or Marine Biologist. Evie is the daughter of REALTOR® Douglas Montalvo Mussenden of eXp Realty of CT in West Hartford and a member of GHAR.
Charlotte Reitz just completed her freshman year at the University of New Hampshire where she majors in Political Science and Sustainability. She hopes to attend law school and pursue her dream of creating laws and policies to help protect and conserve the environment. Charlotte is the daughter of REALTOR® Julie Reitz with Coldwell Banker in West Hartford and a member of GHAR.
The Foundation is pleased to highlight scholarships being awarded in honor of CT REALTORS® Past Presidents who recently passed away.
Amaya Washington has been selected to receive this year’s tribute scholarship in memory of 2000 CTR Past President Bill Vibert from the Greater Hartford Association of REALTORS®.
Amaya Washington, a recent high school graduate, is heading to the University of Connecticut in the fall where she is planning to major in Political Science. She would like to pursue law school, become a lawyer and then use this path to help young children find their voices and protect them from harm. Amaya is the daughter of REALTOR® Jessica Washington of William Raveis Real Estate in Farmington and a member of GHAR.