*East Hartford Alumni Association and Education Foundation Scholarship

Scholarships up to $2,500 each will be provided to up to five graduating students of the East Hartford Public School system who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or a vocational training program. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and preference will be given to East Hartford residents.

Students who plan to attend a vocational training program are highly encouraged to apply, as the EHAAEF hopes to award at least one of the five scholarships to such a student.

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*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 $500 scholarship is designed for a graduating senior of East Hartford Public Schools applying to a higher educational institution as a first-generation college student. As a first-generation college student, neither of your parents has an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The ideal award recipient will demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their personal and professional development, in an effort to challenge generational barriers and redefine norms. 

 

*Coach Konopka “For the Team” Scholarship

The Coach Konopka ‘For the Team’ scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship offered to a graduating senior of the East Hartford Public School system who is a student athlete and pursuing continued education with a focused interest in public services (e.g., education, law enforcement, healthcare, social services, military, environmental protection, etc.). Continued education can take various forms and can be at a 2- or 4-year college or university or a trade school. Members of the EHHS wrestling team are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

Puts others ahead of themselves

Overcomes challenges 

Seeks to continually improve themselves and the people around them

Varsity level student athlete

East Hartford resident

There is no minimum GPA for this scholarship.​

In accepting this scholarship, the awardee agrees to coordinate a visit at EHHS (during the course of their college or trade school program) and lead a classroom session or athletic practice, during which their experience over the prior year will be briefly discussed. The goal of this event is for the awardee to serve as a role model for younger students. 

 

*Dotson-Renta Family Fund

Offered by an East Hartford High School class of 1999 graduate, the Dotson-Renta Family Fund is an annual $500 award offered to a graduating EHHS senior whose character, intellectual curiosity, and civic engagement capture the spirit of East Hartford Public Schools. The award recipient should demonstrate a deeply held desire to learn and explore beyond their own comfort zone. The award recipient should maintain a minimum 3.6 GPA. 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.

 

Applicants must also respond to this supplemental essay prompt:

In five sentences or less, describe how your character, intellectual curiosity, and civic engagement capture the spirit of East Hartford Public Schools.

 

*Melissa Mateo Blank Award 

EHHS alumna Dr. Lara N. Dotson-Renta, in conjunction with Mr. Steven Blank, offers this scholarship award in memory of her friend and fellow class of 1999 classmate, Melissa Mateo Blank. Melissa was a lover of words and good writing, 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 $1,000 scholarship celebrates her memory by honoring a graduating EHHS student who displays tenacity, grace, and academic achievement. The award recipient should have a minimum 3.6 cumulative GPA and demonstrate scholarly engagement. 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. Additional consideration may be given to students with interests in literature and writing.

 

Applicants must also respond to this supplemental essay prompt:

In five sentences or less, describe how you embody the characteristics of Melissa Mateo Blank.

 

*Koski-Bissonnette Business Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship offered by an EHHS alum is offered to a graduating student of the East Hartford Public School system pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business or a business-related field. The award recipient will be a high-achieving student.

 

*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 as a public service professional in the fields of government, education, nonprofits, or medicine. 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.

 

Up to two $1,000 scholarships may be awarded 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. Additionally, up to two $500 scholarships may be awarded to prior recipients of the Melody A. Currey Public Service Scholarship who are attending a Connecticut accredited community college/college/university or a vocational training program authorized to operate in Connecticut who reapply.  

 

Reimagine Tomorrow Scholarship

The Reimagine Tomorrow Scholarship is funded by an East Hartford High School alum and administered by the East Hartford Alumni Association and Education Foundation. This $1,000 scholarship is for high school seniors that plan to pursue an education or career in a science, technology, engineering, arts, or math (STEAM) field. All graduating East Hartford Public School students are eligible, with preference given to East Hartford residents.

 

In order to be eligible, students must be a graduating student of the East Hartford public school system who has attained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and 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.

 

Required essay:

In four sentences or fewer, what is your most creative, innovative idea to reimagine tomorrow?

 

*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 scholarship may be applied to direct costs for college – e.g., books, room, fees.

 

The recipient will be someone who:

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.

Demonstrates the ability to undertake activities to serve the greater good, such as volunteer activities.

Demonstrates community involvement beyond school achievements.