Waiter receives surprise scholarship

SOUTHBURY, Conn. (WTNH) - At a restaurant in Southbury, one young, hard-working waiter who is living on his own, and working multiple jobs is being surprised with a scholarship.

At the Rathskeller Restaurant and Bar on Main Street in Southbury, every year on Super Bowl Sunday all the proceeds are donated to charity. This year it went to someone even more deserving.

Nineteen-year-old Stefano Baldamus is living on his own, he pays for his own rent, his car bills, and his college tuition. He does it by working two jobs.  One of them is as a waiter at Rathskeller Restaurant and Bar.

"I definitely had to work hard since three years ago, a long time ago our father left the house, and we had to deal with everything ourselves," said Baldamus.

With his sights set on working in the business industry, Baldamus has always remained positive even in the toughest of times.

"When I was here just as a busboy, every day I tried to be the best, and better, and faster, so I could move up and be a waiter and then as a waiter, I want to be the best waiter, and just keep going," said Baldamus.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed.

"Stefano would never ask for help, this is the kind of person he is, he just would never ask, so this is a complete surprise to him," said Linda Weston of Southbury.

Weston is a regular at Rathskeller, it's the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and she decided to approach the owners with an idea that would have a huge impact on Baldamus' life.

"We decided that he's well worth giving the scholarship for him because he is working a few jobs, and asking for no help anywhere," said Janet Antilla of Rathskeller Restaurant & Bar.

Baldamus didn't know that his community pulled together to help pay his tuition until after the Super Bowl.

"He was extremely humble and grateful, and he choked up," said Antilla.

Tonight they presented Baldamus with the surprise.

"This really takes off a lot of stress mostly, and that's really what gets to me when I'm doing homework or trying to do things, you need motivation," said Baldamus.

Customers keep adding to the fund which is currently at $1,000 and counting.