Nathaniel Cramer accepts his Henry B. “Hank” Anderson Memorial Scholarship at a New Milford High School awards ceremony June 3.
Cassidy Ranno of Sherman and Nathaniel Cramer of New Milford are the recipients of the 2021 Henry B. “Hank” Anderson Memorial Scholarships, created by the firm to honor Founding Partner Hank Anderson, who died in June 2019 at age 101. Each student receives $500.
The scholarships were presented at the New Milford High School Specialty Awards & Senior Scholarship Ceremony on June 3. (You can watch the ceremony on YouTube.)
“We received so many strong applications but Cassidy’s and Nathaniel’s really stood out,” said Partner Jennifer Collins, who coordinated the scholarships on behalf of the firm.
The scholarships were awarded based on academic performance and community service, as well as essays by the students describing how they have demonstrated leadership attributes to overcome obstacles in school, the community, or family life.
“Growing up with a single parent taught me the importance of independence and initiative,” Cassidy wrote in her essay. “My mother raised four children working multiple jobs while always making time to cheer us on at soccer games. Her strength to take on whatever life handed her showed me that I must do the same.”
At New Milford High School, she played varsity soccer, ran varsity track, and was a member of Future Business Leaders of America, the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and Math Honor Society, among other accomplishments. In terms of community service, Cassidy was a camp counselor at the Sherman Historical Society, and volunteered at the Sherman Library and Danbury Public Library, among other roles.
Nathaniel played soccer, ran track, participated in the marching band and concert band, served as a soccer referee, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. He volunteered at Sullivan Farm, Thrift Mart and Camella’s Cupboard.
“Since I was four years old, I have played soccer,” Nathaniel wrote in his essay. “I have played for the Town of New Milford as well as several elite teams. When high school came, my positive mental drive and my work ethic identified me as a strong leader. I was very happy my sophomore year when my coaches selected me as captain of the JV squad. I worked hard to learn the role, and I did my best to be a strong role model. In my senior year of high school, I was chosen by the coaches to be the captain of the NMHS Boys Varsity Soccer Team. I was not only a role model for the team; I was representing the school and even the town.”
See Our 2018 Interview With Hank Anderson
The son of a dentist from outside Pittsburgh, Hank Anderson came to Connecticut to attend Wesleyan University. As he was studying for a Master’s Degree, World War II intervened and he joined the Navy in June 1941.
He quickly rose in the ranks and was posted to the USS Bunker Hill in the South Pacific. On May 11, 1945, as the aircraft carrier supported the attack on Okinawa, it was struck by two kamikaze pilots, killing nearly 400 sailors. Only days later, Anderson was on the USS Enterprise when it was attacked by a kamikaze pilot, killing 14.
Anderson returned to his studies after the war, working on his Master’s Degree at Wesleyan and simultaneously on a University of Connecticut law degree. He earned both degrees on the same day in June 1948.
Returning to western Connecticut, where he had put down roots, Anderson found a position with a fellow Wesleyan graduate, Attorney Harry Bradbury. In 1950, he joined with Attorney Francis S. Ferriss to create the firm Ferriss and Anderson. Cramer & Anderson was formed in 1962.
Hank Anderson died at age 101 on June 22, 2019, at home in Brewster, Mass., on Cape Cod, where he lived with his wife “Bunny” (Theresa Virginia). To learn more about Hank Anderson, see a story about his life published in the Greater New Milford Spectrum, and his obituary published in The News-Times.
A memorial service for Hank Anderson was held in September 2019 at the First Congregational Church of New Milford. Partners Art Weinshank and Randy DiBella spoke on behalf of the firm, remembering his professionalism, devotion to the law, heroism in World War II, and broad range of interests.
About Cramer & Anderson
With six offices in western Connecticut, the firm serves clients in nearly 20 practice areas, ranging from Estate Planning and Elder Law to Workers’ Comp, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability, Immigration Law, and more.
Our team of 25 highly-experienced attorneys offers a warm, hometown sensibility combined with a sophisticated, worldly outlook. To learn more, see our website at www.www.crameranderson.com or call the New Milford office at (860) 355-2631.
