For Fairfield Ludlowe High School senior Annabella Scartozzi and Sheehan High School seniors Trenton Morgillo and Gus Kosche, those secrets were finally revealed Friday after Quinnipiac admitted all three as its first members of the new undergraduate class beginning in Fall 2027.

“I did a nursing program there last summer, and I just knew it was the school for me,” said Scartozzi, who plans to study nursing. “I just loved everything about it — the professors, the campus, everything. I got to use the same college labs. It was just amazing. I can’t imagine myself going to any other school.”

All other completed early-decision applicants will be notified starting Thursday, November 19.

After months of planning among Quinnipiac, high school officials and parents of the students, the stage was set for the big reveal. And just maybe, the biggest embrace.

As Scartozzi hugged her mother, Geraldine — for what seemed like the longest time — she smiled through teary eyes and told her, “I didn’t wear the waterproof mascara.”

Nearby, her father, Dr. Richard Scartozzi, an ophthalmologist, soaked it all in with a smile.
For Geraldine Scartozzi, a nurse practitioner, it was a moment she won’t soon forget.

“She’s our first child. She’s a great kid with a good heart,” her mother said. “She trained to be an EMT at 15, but she couldn’t sit to take the exam until she turned 16. She’s so driven and has such a big heart.”

An hour or so later in Wallingford, longtime friends Gus Kosche and Trent Morgillo walked into a room at Sheehan High School and were instantly greeted by cheers and applause.

For Kosche, an aspiring mechanical engineering major, and Morgillo, a soon-to-be film, television and media arts major, the trajectory to Quinnipiac began as little boys at the Precious Cargo daycare center in town.

“The whole thing is kind of unreal. Ever since I heard that one of my friends got in who has some mental struggles like me, it changed their life drastically,” Kosche said. “I feel like that’s going to be me now. And I’m super excited for it.”

The level of excitement ratcheted up a few gears after Kosche visited Quinnipiac during an Open House and saw the School of Computing & Engineering’s Project Baja off-road car.

His mother, Sabrina Kosche, felt the energy and excitement, too, during the Open House.

“He went from an IEP (individualized education plan) to testing out and figuring things out. He figured himself out,” she said. “To see him now and wants to do and go after, it’s just so amazing. He’s such an amazing kid. I'm so, so proud of him.”

For Morgillo, who was set to perform in Sheehan’s production of “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” on Friday night, it was the reveal his parents, David and Denise, always wanted for him.

“This has been my top school for my whole four years of high school. Just finding out that I got accepted is so unreal,” Morgillo said. “My friend went there just recently, and he's like, ‘This is probably the best program that I could ever find for film.’ I can’t wait to experience the full experience of college.”

For David Morgillo, the pursed lips and misty eyes told the story of a family’s dream for their son.

“It’s been quite a journey to get here. You start off young with a child with some difficulties early on learning how to read, and now it's the most exciting day for us,” Morgillo said. “It's super exciting for us. This has been his dream school. I love the facility. I love the program."

“He got into the school he wanted, but Quinnipiac got a great young man, too,” Morgillo said. “We're very proud of him. He's a sweet soul. He's wise beyond his years, and we're lucky to have him now Quinnipiac.”

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We were thrilled to welcome the first of our newest admitted undergraduate students with surprise visits to their high schools.

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