Previous Scholarship Recipients
East Hartford Alumni Association and Education Foundation
Namesake Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to up to five graduating students of the East Hartford Public School system who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or a vocational training program. Recipients must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and preference will be given to East Hartford residents.
2023:
$2,000
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Adrian Johnson, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
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Jahnyah Lumpkin, University of Connecticut
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Rumana Shaikh, University of Connecticut
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Elena Tipton, University of Connecticut
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Pearl Udom, University of Connecticut
2022:
$2,000
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Zoey Alaimo
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Isabel Burgos
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Emily Llantin
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Chloe Scheer
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Quintoria Zuniga
2021:
$1,000
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Anne Le, University of Massachusetts Boston
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Gustavo Guzman, University of Connecticut
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Jaiyliah Nicole Cochran, University of Connecticut
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Madisyn Vera, Bay Path University
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Yasmine Essel, University of Connecticut
2020:
$1,000
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Amy Le, University of Connecticut
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Gift Okeke, University of Connecticut
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Jaime Koski, Eastern Connecticut State University
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Mya Mason, Boston University
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Stephanie Sesenu, George Washington University
Alicea Scholarship for Redefining Norms
Access to education is an ongoing issue preventing families from pursuing post-secondary opportunities. Offered by an East Hartford High School class of 2010 graduate, this scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior of East Hartford Public Schools applying to a higher educational institution as a first-generation college student, for whom neither parent has an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Award recipients demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their personal and professional development, in an effort to challenge generational barriers and redefine norms.
2023:
$500
Aniya Caraballo, University of Hartford
2022:
$500
Emily Llantin, University of Connecticut
2021:
$500
Madisyn Vera, Bay Path University
Coach Konopka 'For the Team' Scholarship
The ‘For the Team’ scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who is a student athlete and pursuing continued education with a focused interest in public services. Continued education can take various forms and can be at a 2- or 4-year college or university or a trade school. Recipients put others ahead of themselves, overcome challenges, and seek to continually improve themselves and the people around them. Preference is given to members of the EHHS westling team.
2023:
$2,500
Muhammad Kasliwala, University of Connecticut
2022:
$2,500
Matilda Appiah, Southern Connecticut State University
2021:
$2,500
Gary Shepard, Jr., Framingham State University
Dotson-Renta Family Fund
Offered by an East Hartford High School class of 1999 graduate, the Dotson-Renta Family Fund is awarded to a graduating EHHS senior whose character, intellectual curiosity, and civic engagement capture the spirit of East Hartford High School. The award recipient demonstrates tenacity and drive in academic and personal pursuits, a commitment to community and service, and an inquisitive mind--the desire to learn and explore beyond their own comfort zone. The scholarship award is to be applied toward start-up college costs, including but not limited to a tuition or housing deposit, books, or a computer.
2023:
$500
Victoria Silva-Soto, University of Connecticut
2022:
$500
An Nguyen
2021:
$500
Madisyn Vera, Bay Path University
Melissa Mateo Blank Award
EHHS alumna Dr. Lara N. Dotson-Renta, in conjunction with Mr. Steven Blank, offers this scholarship award in honor of her friend and fellow class of 1999 classmate, Melissa Mateo Blank. Melissa was a lover of words and good writing, and a great believer in the transformative power of education and believing in others, a loyal friend, and a loving partner to her husband Steve. A lifelong learner
as well as an educator, her work teaching English at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, SC meant a lot to her. She had just begun to publish her creative writing when she died of glioblastoma on February 8, 2021. This scholarship celebrates her memory by honoring a student who displays tenacity, grace, and academic achievement.
The Melissa Mateo Blank Award is awarded to a graduating EHHS senior whose character, intellectual curiosity, and civic engagement capture the spirit of East Hartford High School. The award recipient demonstrates tenacity and drive in academic and personal pursuits, a commitment to community and service, and an inquisitive mind--the desire to learn and explore beyond their own comfort zone. Additional consideration is given to students with an interest in literature or writing. The scholarship award is to be applied toward start-up college costs, including but not limited to a tuition or housing deposit, books, or a computer.
2023:
$1,000
Megan Gangaway, University of Maryland Baltimore County
2022:
$1,000
Faith Anane, Boston University
2021:
$250
Hermione Cordeiro Larkin, Johns Hopkins University
Melody A. Currey Public Service Scholarship
Offered by the Currey family in memory of their wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother, this scholarship is designed for graduating seniors of the East Hartford Public School system and, in subsequent years, prior recipients of the Currey Scholarship who are pursuing studies in a field that will allow a graduate to give back to the public. Melody Currey exemplified what it meant to give back and on a daily basis demonstrated how public service worked towards the betterment of those within the East Hartford community and throughout the state of Connecticut.
Melody’s “service to others” began as an active member of the Silver Lane PTA/PTO, followed by service to several other organizations including, the Federal Parent Advisory Council, St. Mary’s, Girl Scouts, EH Little League, and EH Community Care, Inc. In addition, Melody volunteered her time as a member of the EH School Readiness Council, Democratic Women’s Club, Democratic Town Committee, Veterans Who Care, Science Center of CT Leadership Council, and Neighborhood Revitalization. This was followed by Melody elected to serve in the CT House of Representatives and later as Mayor of East Hartford. When Mayor, Melody also served as the President of the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Educational Funding, the President of the Council of Connecticut Municipalities, and the Chair of the Capitol Regional Council of Governments. While Mayor, Melody was appointed by then-Governor Malloy to serve as CT’s Commissioner of Department of Motor Vehicles. In later years she would also serve as CT’s Commissioner of Department of Administrative Services and Acting-Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture. During all this time Melody demonstrated love, kindness, and compassion, while never seeking the spotlight or applause, as was Melody’s mantra. Allow that to act as your guiding star as you prepare your application for this scholarship.
This scholarship is presented to East Hartford residents who are seniors attending an East Hartford Public School, has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, and plans to pursue post-secondary education at a Connecticut accredited community college/college/university or a vocational training program authorized to operate in Connecticut. Additional awards are available for prior recipients of the Melody A. Currey Public Service Scholarship.
2023:
$1,000
Aniya Caraballo, University of Hartford
Elizabeth Kalugira, University of Connecticut
Reimagine Tomorrow Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a graduating East Hartford Public School seniors that plans to pursue an education or career in a science, technology, engineering, arts, or math (STEAM) field. Recipients are students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher that plans to pursue post-secondary education at either a 2-year or 4-year public or private college degree program in the fall. Student athletes and students with strong community service experience are strongly urged to apply.
2023:
$1,000
Joyce Zerrudo, University of Rhode Island
2022:
$1,000
Makayla Shedrick, Central Connecticut State University
2021:
$1,000
Hermione Cordeiro Larkin, Johns Hopkins University
Veltri Family Scholarship
Penney High School graduate Victoria Veltri offers this $1500 scholarship in memory of her parents, Richard D. and Shirley A. Veltri. Richard Veltri was a research scientist at United Technologies Research Center for thirty-six years and held or co-held twenty-seven patents. Richard Veltri was also fourteen-year member of the East Hartford Board of Education, a five-year member of the East Hartford Town Council, and a two-term state legislator representing East Hartford. Shirley Veltri was a registered nurse who worked in the private sector at Pratt & Whitney and St. Francis Hospital in Hartford before serving as a school nurse at multiple schools in the East Hartford school system for many years. Continuing education was the priority of the Veltri household.
This $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of the East Hartford Public School system attending a four-year degree program preparing for a career in one of the following: engineering, mathematics, nursing, or biological or physical science, such as chemistry or physics. The recipient will be someone who:
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Demonstrates high achievement in the sciences or mathematics during high school, as evidenced by a minimum A- average in the sciences or math on high school transcript.
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Demonstrates the ability to undertake activities to serve the greater good, such as volunteer activities.
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Demonstrates community involvement beyond school achievements.
2023:
$1,500
Jahnyah Lumpkin, University of Connecticut
Whitford Family Community Service Award
The Whitford Family Community Service Award is provided to a graduating high school senior in memory of Leonard and Elsie Whitford who as lifelong residents of the East Hartford were dedicated to give back to their community. They believed that through volunteerism, hard work and a little help from those around them, anyone can succeed! Scholarship recipients demonstrate values that make them stand out among their peer group as inspirational individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to enrich the lives of others, or have overcome their own challenges to advocate for others with disabilities. This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated tremendous courage, compassion and caring in serving their community. It is intended to recognize students of noble character who have acted as humble servants to others by putting service of others before self-interest. The award intentionally recognizes the use kindness, creativity, and collaboration to help address real-life problems. And, in the process, provides a learning opportunity that helps build student problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and character. The award is designed to reward young, civic-minded students with a vision for bettering either their local community or their country at large.
2021:
$2,000
Brianna Okantah, Boston University
2020:
$2,000
Shannell Awuah, Syracuse University
