ACES Education Foundation marked its 15th anniversary with a celebration featuring a local student honoree.

The North Haven based nonprofit supports the work of Area Cooperative Educational Services, which provides individualized and alternative education to students in 26 municipalities.

ACES Whitney High School East student and North Haven resident Drew Gambardella was to be honored at the anniversary gala Thursday, March 22 in Branford.

Gambardella, 16, is on the autism spectrum.  He began attending ACES Village School, and integrated preschool, at 3 years old.

"Drew always loved music and loved playing with musical toys as a toddler," said Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, ACES Marketing chief, in a statement.  "He never played an instrument, however, until... he watched a music therapist play piano and became mesmerized," she said.  Gambardella has performed at several ACES-sponsored events, including in November at a convocation for an audience of 800.

"Drew always loved music and loved playing with musical toys as a toddler," said Evelyn Rossetti-Ryan, ACES Marketing chief, in a statement.  "He never played an instrument, however, until... he watched a music therapist play piano and became mesmerized," she said.  Gambardella has performed at several ACES-sponsored events, including in November at a convocation for an audience of 800.

"He's a remarkable young man, and we're delighted to be honoring him," Rossetti-Ryan said.

Other gala honorees were Peter Young, former ACES executive director and current Foundation board member, and Roger Joyce, former Foundation board member.

Rossetti-Ryan said she anticipated 300 attendees at the gala, including representatives from corporate sponsors, community partners and families, staff and board members.  Current sponsors include Anthem, Brown and Brown, USI, Town Fair Tire, Performance Environmental Services and Canon.