Westport-based Newman’s Own Foundation today announced its first formal class of fellows.

The innovative Newman’s Own Foundation Fellowship Program provides recent college graduates with work experience in the philanthropic sector. In addition, the program is designed to expand, enhance, and diversify the pipeline of new talent entering nonprofit careers, an announcement said.

The Fellows were selected based on demonstrated leadership skills, as well as commitment to social issues and community development. They have been placed at nonprofit organizations in roles aligned with their capabilities and career interests.

The placements were made by Newman’s Own Foundation in collaboration with the nonprofits.

The Westport Board of Education tonight approved the hiring of search firm Hazard, Young and Attea (HYA) to help replace Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon set to retire next June after 17 years.

According to a school board statement, Hazard, Young and Attea is the Executive Search Division of ECRA Group, Inc. “with an extensive history of success in working with boards in high-performing districts throughout the Northeast and across the country to find candidates who will provide long-term leadership .”

School officials said that of the 328 superintendents hired with HYA’s assistance since 2000, 90 percent led their districts for several years.

“The selection of a new superintendent is the most important responsibility of any Board of Education,” said Michael Gordon, school board chairman.

Staples High School student Rachel Corbally (r), 17, was one of students from 13 nations who made a visit today in Singapore to the Republic’s leading broadcaster, MediaCorp. They gained hands-on experience working with professionals as they learned about television and radio broadcasts. Rachel is one of three Staples students attending the Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit 2015, which continues until Tuesday. Other Staples attendees include Angela Yu and Aliza Gross along with chaperone Mary Fulco, a Staples English teacher. Staples hosted nine Hwa Chong students last November. (See WestportNow Nov. 7, 2015) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Posing for a post-graduation picture at Staples High School today were l-r) Megan Weintraub (going to Elon), Katherine Sommers (Marist), Sydney Robison (Union), Sammy Phillips (Chapman) and Sydney Sussman (George Washington University). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples High School 2015 graduate Tessa Mall, 17, poses with parents Joan and Lou who said Tessa is the fourth generation of the Mall family to attend the University of Colorado.  Lou’s sister graduated from Colorado in 1976, Lou in 1971, Lou’s mother in 1931, and a cousin of Lou’s grandfather in 1905 (undergraduate degree) and in 1907 (law degree.) (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com