Cicconium Scholarship Fund

Students and staff at Seymour High School still smile when they remember one of Antonio “Tony” Ciccone’s favorite jokes.  As a popular science teacher with a quick wit, Mr. Ciccone liked to tell his classes that he had secretly discovered a new element for the periodic table and named it after himself: “Cicconium.”  

According to Mr. Ciccone, the element had remarkable properties -- it was lighter than steel and stronger than titanium. Anyone who possessed Cicconium in their makeup, he would joke, was practically a superhero. Nearly a decade after his passing, that playful classroom moment has become the inspiration behind the Cicconium Scholarship Fund, established in 2025 at the Valley Community Foundation (VCF) by the school and his daughter, Stephanie Ciccone, to honor his legacy as a teacher, mentor, and community leader.

“The name felt like a fitting tribute to a family legacy rooted in science, education, and joy,” Stephanie, now a Vice Principal at the school, said. “As a chemist and science teacher with a great sense of humor, it perfectly captured his personality.”

Born in Naples, Italy, Mr. Ciccone came to the United States at age fourteen and went on to build an accomplished career in science and education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Fairfield University, a master’s degree in analytical chemistry from Seton Hall University, and later completed his sixth-year degree in education at Southern Connecticut State University.  

After working as an electro-analytical chemist in the private sector, he changed professional directions and dedicated his career to being an educator. For many years, he taught science in the Seymour school system, where he became known not only for his passion for chemistry but for his ability to connect with students and encourage them to pursue their potential.

“My father found his true calling in Seymour as a beloved science teacher and longtime coach of the boys and girls' soccer teams,” Stephanie said. “The fund reflects his passion for academics and athletics and celebrates the values he believed in -- hard work, character, and community.”

The scholarship will be awarded to a Seymour High School student who excels in science and plans to pursue a career in the field. But the family hopes recipients will also embody something more than academic achievement.  

“To us, Cicconium means more than excellence in science,” Stephanie said. “It means bringing joy to others, working tirelessly, making sacrifices for people you love, and connecting with others in ways that make the world a better place.”