New Milford High School graduating seniors David Matos and Calley Thierfelder are the recipients of the 2025 Henry B. “Hank” Anderson Memorial Scholarships.
Two scholarships of $500 each are presented each year by Cramer & Anderson to honor Founding Partner Hank Anderson, who died in 2019 at age 101.
Attorney Elizabeth “Lizzy” Gilbert, who grew up in New Milford and graduated from New Milford High School (NMHS), presented the scholarships on behalf of the firm at the Scholarship & Awards Night on May 28.
Hank Anderson Memorial Scholarship applicants are required to write an essay responding to this prompt: “Describe areas in your life where you demonstrated leadership attributes to overcome one or more obstacles experienced in school, the community or family life.”
Matos, who graduated first in his class and plans to attend the University of Connecticut to study computer science, wrote about creating a cybersecurity club at NMHS that became popular. His essay said, in part:
The Cybersecurity Club began after I scanned my school’s network and found that our printers lacked authentication controls, leaving them vulnerable to tampering. I reported my findings to my computer science teacher, Mrs. Bergonzelli, who encouraged me to channel my passion by starting a club to teach cybersecurity.
Our goal was to prepare for Lockheed Martin’s Cyber Quest competition … . Slowly, engagement grew, and that’s when I started to see their “lightbulb moments.” … By competition day, our club had grown into two teams that were tackling challenges like reverse engineering Python code and exploiting virtual machines. Although we didn’t win, we still remain motivated … .
Thierfelder plans to attend the University of New Haven to study fire science engineering and arson investigation. She has interned with the New Milford Police Department and Fire Marshal’s Office, she is a junior member of the Northville Volunteer Fire Department, and she has been a counselor at firefighting camps.
In addition to writing about overcoming shyness to become an A student, her essay said, in part:
In 2020 I attended Girls Future Firefighter Camp. That day, my life changed. Women make up less than 5% in the industry. I was being taught by that 5%. I knew no one. I was shy, always afraid to be alone, go to school or join in. Looking around [I] vowed to make a difference. To bring THIS experience to my hometown. To tell anyone who would listen. I will show up and show other young girls, you can too! Since attending, my confidence and desire increased. Being a girl, I stood out. I stood up to use my voice in any platform I could. I’d attend speaking events to engage and encourage girls to explore what first responding has to offer. … I vow to make a change. To be heard. I am determined to continue my education and love of first responding at the same time and giving back to the community by encouraging the next generation of amazing female first responders.
Honoring a Legacy
The Cramer & Anderson scholarships were created in 2020 to honor Founding Partner Hank Anderson, who died at age 101 in June 2019 at home in Brewster, Mass., where he lived with his wife “Bunny” (Theresa Virginia).
See Our 2018 Tribute to Hank Anderson
A proud graduate of Wesleyan University and the University of Connecticut School of Law, he was a decorated Navy veteran who survived kamikaze attacks on two ships during World War II. The first was an attack by two kamikaze pilots on the USS Bunker Hill on May 11, 1945, as it supported the attack on Okinawa. Nearly 400 sailors were killed. The second came only days later, when the USS Enterprise was attacked by a kamikaze pilot, killing 14.
Following the war, and after finishing his master’s and law degrees—graduating from Wesleyan and UConn on the same day—Anderson came to western Connecticut to live and work, joining the firm of Attorney Harry Bradbury before partnering with Attorney Francis S. Ferriss to form the firm Ferriss and Anderson.
After Attorney Ferriss died in 1957, Anderson and his friend Attorney Paul B. Altermatt formed Anderson and Altermatt. In 1962, they joined their firm with Cramer, Blick, Fitzgerald & Hume to create Cramer & Anderson, which was originally based in New Milford and Litchfield and has grown to include offices across western Connecticut.
Among his many state and national roles, Anderson served as president of the Litchfield County Bar Association and was a Fellow of the Connecticut Bar Association and American Bar Association. In addition to guiding Cramer & Anderson, he helped to shape the practice of law in Connecticut and beyond.
“Anderson was the recipient of numerous distinguished legal awards,” a UConn Law story recounted. “In 1989 he was voted Citizen of the Year by the State of Connecticut Courts of Probate. In 1990, The Connecticut Bar Association awarded him the John Eldred Shields Award for his professional services to the community at large—over 900 hours of pro bono services. He was also voted Probate Attorney of the Year by the Connecticut Probate Assembly.”
In 2018, the Connecticut Law Tribune honored Anderson with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
About Cramer & Anderson
Cramer & Anderson provides sophisticated legal services, close to home, with regional offices in New Milford, Litchfield, Danbury, and Ridgefield. For more information, see the website or call the flagship office in New Milford at (860) 355-2631.