Trentini Foundation

04/19/2026

The 46th Annual Trentini Foundation Scholarship Banquet was held on Thursday, April 16 at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. The special evening celebrated the hard work and dedication of our scholarship finalists from the Wake Forest High School Class of 2026.

It was also an opportunity to honor the lasting legacy of Coach Anthony Trentini and his commitment to students, athletics and the Wake Forest Community.

The 2026 Trentini Scholarship finalists were Alejandro Garcia, Alyssa Palermo, Anna Ford, Ben Blanchard, Caden Seifert and Caron Jin.

🎉🏆 The winner of the 2026 Trentini Foundation $40,000 Scholarship was Anna Ford!!

🎉🏆 The winner of the 2026 Trentini Foundation Community College $2,500 Scholarship was Keira Valente!!

Congratulations to our winners and finalists! We are very proud of you and know you have bright futures ahead! GO COUGARS!💙❤️

04/17/2026

🎉🏆 Congratulations to the 2026 Trentini Foundation Scholarship Award Winner! 🏆🎉

We are pleased to announce and celebrate Anna Ford as this year's recipient of the prestigious Trentini Foundation Scholarship! Your commitment, drive, and enthusiasm have truly distinguished you, and this award reflects both your impressive accomplishments and your future promise.

Once again, congratulations, Anna! Best of luck as you embark on your next chapter!🌟

04/14/2026

Congratulations to Keira Valente, the 2026 Trentini Foundation Community College Scholarship recipient!🎉

Keira is a hardworking and dedicated student who balances academics, extracurricular activities, and work with determination nd eagerness to learn. She loves gymnastics, music, and spending time with her friends and family. Keira is continually striving to do her best in all her responsibilities and is committed to reaching her goals as she prepares for college and her future ahead.

Way to go, Keira!

04/13/2026

2026 Trentini Spotlight🌟- Caron Jin

Caron is an ambitious student, dancer, musician, and leader in a vast range of school and community activities. She is the founder and Co-President of the Asian Cultures Club, as well as the WFHS Student Body Vice President, both positions of which she has aimed to create a more welcoming environment and outreach towards fellow students.

Caron serves as a Co-President of the Science Honor Society, former Co-Captain and current Hip Hop Lead of the WFHS Dance Team, and Co-Captain of Science Olympiad. She is also a part of National Achievers Society, National Honors Society, and Math Honors Society.

Within her artistic career, Caron has received various accolades, from being selected to attend the North Carolina Governor's School for dance, to participating in the NCMEA Eastern Regional Orchestra for three consecutive years.

She expresses her love for service through volunteering as a teacher's assistant at Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra coaching young violinists, as well as her church, volunteering with the First Korean Baptist Church Youth Orchestra, Praise Team, Church Youth Council, and Friendz Camp.

Caron plans on using her education for social advocacy and awareness, hopefully someday being able to contribute to the cultivation of a more cohesive society on local and national levels.

04/12/2026

The 46th Annual Trentini Scholarship Awards Banquet is almost here!!

🗓️Thursday, April 16
⏰ 6:00pm
📍 Wake Forest Renaissance Centre

Tickets on sale now! Secure your spot today and help us empower the next generation of leaders!

🔗 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-46th-annual-trentini-scholarship-banquet-tickets-1984660487945?aff=oddtdtcreator

Your presence makes a difference!💙❤️

Join us as we celebrate the 2026 Wake Forest High School graduating finalists, while honoring the legacy and leadership of Coach Trentini!

04/12/2026

2026 Trentini Spotlight🌟- Caden Seifert

Caden is a passionate student-athlete committed to service and devoted to his faith. As the co-founder of the WF Environmental club, he hopes to encourage others to explore careers in environmental sustainability.

Caden is a varsity athlete on the track and field team; during his track career he has won the Academic All-Conference Award as well as the team’s Most Improved Player during his junior season. He was also selected as the team’s representative in the Students Athletic Advisory Council.

His commitment to service is shown in his participation in the Governor’s Page Program and involvement with the NC Special Olympics.

Aspiring to alleviate the afflictions of the environment and people’s health, Caden aims his sights on the issue of PFAS (Per-fluoroakyl-substances) degradation.

04/11/2026

2026 Trentini Spotlight🌟- Ben Blanchard

Ben is an Eagle Scout, varsity soccer captain, leader, and volunteer in his school and community.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Ben led the construction of an outdoor clothing collection bin to benefit Note in the Pocket, a local organization dedicated to addressing clothing insecurity in Wake County. Since its completion, the bin has received over 7,000 bags of clothing donations in support of this mission.

Ben has played soccer since age five and played four years in the Wake Forest High School soccer program, being recognized with the Ryan Frazier Sportsmanship Award his senior year.

Ben has served on four mission trips with Appalachia Service Project (ASP) and his fellow church youth, working to make homes warmer, safer, and drier in Central Appalachia. He is a member of his church’s youth leadership team and was selected for the 2026 ASP Youth Leadership Summit.

At Wake Forest High School, Ben is the president of the National Technical Honor Society, where he established the inaugural Tools for Tomorrow: CTE Opportunies Event, connecting students with 22 businesses and technical schools. He is the executive of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and has also held leadership positions in the National Honor Society, Youth and Government, Beta Club, and Student Government Association.

Ben served as Speaker of the House at Tar Heel Boys State 2025 and was a member of the Youth Leadership Wake Forest program. Ben is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, WFHS Outstanding Senior, and an AP Scholar with Distinction.

04/10/2026

2026 Trentini Spotlight🌟 - Anna Ford

Anna is a varsity athlete at Wake Forest High School, where she has been the starting goalkeeper and team captain for the soccer team and a starting hitter and captain for the volleyball team as well. She has earned Academic All-Conference honors in both sports, along with All-Conference, All-Region, Most Valuable Player, Most Impactful Player, and Sportsmanship awards. Anna has played competitive club soccer for nine years with North Carolina Football Club and trained in elite goalkeeper programs, while mentoring younger female athletes through her coach’s camp for three years.

Outside of athletics, Anna founded Signs by Anna, a banner painting business where she designs and sells custom banners for school and community events, managing orders, marketing, and client communication. She has served as Vice President of Magic of Science Club, was elected to represent student-athletes through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, been a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club, and participated in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador program and the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program. She has also participated in four Appalachia Service Project mission trips, supporting communities in need through home repair and service projects.

Anna’s academic achievements include being named Junior Marshal, earning AP Scholar with Distinction honors, and being a Morehead-Cain nominee. She looks forward to continuing her academic and athletic journey at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, competing in Division I soccer and exploring business opportunities through the Belk College of Business and Honors Business Program.

04/09/2026

There’s still time to get your tickets for the 46th Annual Trentini Foundation Scholarship Banquet!🎉

04/09/2026

2026 Trentini Spotlight🌟- Alyssa Palermo

Alyssa is a driven and versatile student-athlete at Wake Forest High School, who has been recognized as a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction. Fuelled by a passion for leadership and STEM, Alyssa is the Founder and President of Magic of Science, a club dedicated to inspiring younger students through hands-on science demonstrations at local institutions like the Boys & Girls Club. Her academic commitment is further reflected in her roles as President of the Math Honors Society and Co-President of the Science Honors Society, as well as her completion of advanced NCSSM Online coursework in Neuroscience, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Computational Chemistry.

On the court, Alyssa has been a four-year member of the volleyball program and served as a Varsity Co-Captain during her senior year. Her athletic career was highlighted by being named All-Conference and the NAC IV Conference Offensive Player of the Year, as well as becoming the only volleyball player this season to receive a Cougar Medal. Alyssa’s competitive drive also translates to the track, where she recently placed 8th in the State as part of the 4x800m relay team, and to mountain biking, where she placed first in the state last year in the JV3 division.

Beyond the classroom and the court, Alyssa is involved in scientific research exploring the use of tardigrade proteins to stabilize protein-based therapeutics at room temperature. After earning a Catalyst Award for exemplary research through the Summer Ventures program, she was invited to present her findings at the State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium (SNCURCS) and the American Chemical Society (SERMACS) in Florida. Sharing her work in these professional settings has only deepened her love for the research process and her excitement to pursue it in the future.

04/08/2026

2026 Trentini Spotlight🌟- Alejandro Garcia

Alejandro is passionate about leaving a legacy of equity and inclusion for those who come after him. Representing his school in the IGNITE program, he co-founded the Student Equity Team, which has strengthened student-staff connections and even launched an on-campus school store to meet student needs. In addition to his work with equity initiatives, Alejandro has nurtured a more inclusive and culturally rich school environment.

As president of the Spanish Honor Society, he has created opportunities for students to celebrate Latin American culture and the Spanish language, while his role as vice president of the Cultural Connections Club has highlighted the many cultures represented within the school community.

As a four-year athlete on the cross-country and track and field teams, Alejandro also focused on fostering a positive team culture at both the JV and Varsity levels. Proud of his heritage and committed to lifting others, Alejandro plans to carry his passion for equity and community with him into his education at UNC Chapel Hill and beyond.