West Haven – Notre Dame of West Haven seniors Liam Connell ‘17 (Wallingford) and Jerrell Dorsey ‘17 (New Haven) were Notre Dame’s recipients as the Southern Connecticut Conference held its 23rd annual Scholar Leader Banquet on Monday, March 27, 2017, at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven.

The 2017 Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Leader Banquet recognized forty-six truly impressive young people who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and leadership in their respective schools and external communities.

Notre Dame President Robert F. Curis spoke glowingly of both students. He said, “Jerrell and Liam bring so much life to our building and are great leaders, who are prepared to succeed on their college campuses and in life. They are excellent students, who embraced what Notre Dame has to offer in and out of the classroom and will be missed next year. They have set a foundation for others to follow to continue their great leadership.”

Liam Connell ‘17

Liam has been an exemplary leader and scholar at Notre Dame. He serves as the Senior Class President, Editor of the Yearbook, President of the Spanish Club, a Peer Counselor, a Peer Tutor, and a member of DECA. He was also the starting goalie for the varsity ice hockey team, which reached the SCC Division I championship game. Liam has volunteered almost 100 hours with the Autism Services and Resources of America.

Jerrell Dorsey ‘17

Jerrell has been an outstanding leader and scholar at Notre Dame. He serves as the Student Council President, tri-captain of the varsity basketball team (which finished the 2016-17 regular-season with a perfect 20-0 record), founder/president of the Culinary Club, an officer in the Minority Student Union, a Peer Counselor, and a member of TEAM ND (the student ambassador program). He is extremely involved at St. Martin de Porres, where he attended middle school, and volunteers numerous hours with his grandmother at the Community Garden.

Founded in 1994, the Southern Connecticut Conference is celebrating its 23rd year in 2016–17 with 23 member schools and nearly 23,000 students. Recognized as one of the premier athletic leagues in the state of Connecticut, SCC member schools have captured more than 400 state championships since the league’s inception. More importantly, the SCC is recognized for its outstanding non-athletic programs and events in student leadership and the arts, which attempt to break down barriers and build bridges of understanding to its students.