Greenwich High School students can apply for a new innovation grant launched by the Greenwich Alliance for Education. The Alliance unveiled the GHS Student Innovation Grant on Friday, Sept. 25, at a ceremony marking its 20th anniversary year.

First Selectman Fred Camillo issued a proclamation designating the date as "Greenwich Alliance for Education Day." State Rep. Hector Arzeno, a member of the legislature's Education Committee, presented a citation from Greenwich's Connecticut legislative delegation, Greenwich Free Press reported. Superintendent Toni Jones also spoke at the ceremony.

The new grant invites high school students to propose ideas that could improve their school community. Applications are open at greenwichalliance.org.

The celebration went beyond speeches. Upper Crust Bagel Company baked 98 dozen bagels for the occasion as a thank-you to all Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) educators.

Students across the district created individual art pieces, including flames, cougar fangs, tiles, paw prints and flowers. Those pieces will become part of a large mosaic column built by artists Michael Manning and Ben Quesnel through the Developing Artist Program.

The Alliance was founded in 2006 by Greenwich residents and has since invested $6.9 million in arts, STEM, academic enrichment, college and career readiness, mental health and wellness, and scholarships. In the 2025–2026 school year alone, the organization awarded $168,347 in grants to GPS programs. Recipients included a new AVID elementary program at Hamilton Avenue School, student-facing AI tools at Greenwich High School, theater arts at New Lebanon School and Science Bowl teams at all three middle schools.

Gia Burton, a board member and former board chair, said in a Sept. 22 profile by Mofflylifestylemedia that she hopes the anniversary sparks broader awareness. "We want to grow our grants program, expand our scholarships and launch new pathways for students whose future does not follow a traditional route," Burton said.

Camillo's proclamation cited AVID, virtual reality technology and emerging AI-powered educational tools as programs the Alliance has helped bring to Greenwich Public Schools.

Students interested in the innovation grant can find details at greenwichalliance.org.