CT Students Earn College Scholarship

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund has announced that five Connecticut students who are headed to college in the fall will be the 11th class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the Fund. In addition, 14 current college students who received scholarships beginning in their freshman year will have the scholarship renewed for their upcoming sophomore, junior or senior year.

The five students who graduated from high school last month - from Farmington, Guilford, Milford, New Canaan, and Woodbury - will each receive $1,500 scholarships for their freshman year, which can be renewed for their sophomore, junior and senior years if they maintain a solid academic record.

Students to receive scholarships for their freshman year (and their former high school, college they plan to attend, and academic major) are:

• Joseph Cichowski, Milford; Foran High School, Boston College (Nursing);
• Zachary Neiss, Guilford; Guilford High School, Hamilton College, (Neuroscience);
• Serena Platt, New Canaan; New Canaan High School, University of Virginia (Business);
• Avery Sama, Farmington; Farmington High School, Northeastern University (Pharmacy);
• Rebecca Varnum, Woodbury; Nonnewaug High School, Boston College (Nursing)

“Higher education can provide inspiring and determined young people with new ways to expand their horizons and seize opportunities,” said former Sen. Lieberman. “I am pleased to support these students with this scholarship, and commend their impressive accomplishment. The scholarship provides a way for me to express my continuing appreciation to the people of Connecticut, and it reflects my confidence that these young people, along with past scholarship recipients, will distinguish themselves in their academic studies and beyond, influencing the future of their local communities and our nation.”

This year, the Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund received 533 applications from students attending 179 high schools in 139 Connecticut cities and towns. Since inception prior to this incoming class, the Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund has distributed $279,000 to 55 new recipients and 131 renewal students, who have attended 33 colleges, and pursued 37 varied majors.

The review and evaluation of applications was completed by a selection committee at Scholarship America, based on factors including academic record, demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities, work experience, and career and educational goals and objectives. Financial need is not considered. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and have a record of community service.

The five student recipients from 2022, along with student scholarship recipients who have just completed their sophomore or junior years, will each receive $1,500 for the upcoming academic year when they return to school in the fall. Five students, who were the seventh group to receive the annual scholarships beginning in 2019, graduated from their respective colleges this past spring. The program began in 2013.

To be eligible, students must be high school seniors who reside in Connecticut and received their high school education here, plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year, have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), demonstrate outstanding leadership potential and a record of community service, and be United States citizens or permanent legal residents.

Annually, up to five students are selected to receive a $1,500 award – renewable for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever comes first. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. Scholarship awards are only for undergraduate studies. The 2023 recipients:

• Joseph Cichowski of Milford was Class Valedictorian at Joseph A. Foran High School, and a Scholar Athlete. He earned membership in the National Math and Spanish Honors Society, was a National Merit Commended Scholar, and received the Yale Book Award.
• Zachary Neiss of Guilford participated in the Connecticut State Science Fair, Science Olympiad, Boy Scout Troop 471, Yale's Grey Matter Project -- Guilford HS Chapter, Physics Team, Apple Pi Robotics Team 2067, and GHS Chamber Orchestra. An ICU Volunteer and Peer Tutor, he earned membership in the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. He was a Boehringer Ingelheim Life Sciences Medalist for his research on Parkinson's disease (CT Science Fair), Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Leader, and Eagle Scout.
• Serena Platt of New Canaan served as Captain of the varsity girls tennis team and earned a place on the All-League and All-State teams; awards include selection as "Ram of the Week" for exemplary commitment to team. She was Captain of the varsity girls squash team, and a member of the All-League team; Co-founder of Musical Moments, a nonprofit group performing at local senior centers; Editor-in-Chief of the New Canaan High School Courant and a Member of the National Honor Society.
• Avery Sama of Farmington was Class of 2023 Student Council President all four years of high school and Track and Field Manager. She participated in the Tri Music Honor Society, earned National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society recognition; was an All-State recognized singer, and is a self-taught pianist and songwriter performer in Chamber/ Madrigal singing groups. She is AAPPL Spanish Biliteracy qualified; awards include AP Scholar and Daughters of the American Revolution.
• Rebecca Varnum of Woodbury was Class Valedictorian, Secretary of the Student Council, a member of the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. A Tutor and Pillar Officer, she was a Junior Firefighter, Student Visionary, Peer Leader, and Event Speaker for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She received the Harvard Book Award, St. Michael's Book Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, and is a College Board National Rural Scholar.

The scholarship program is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.

Joseph I Lieberman represented Connecticut in the United States Senate for four terms (1989-2013), having previously served as Attorney General of Connecticut (1983-89) and State Senate Majority Leader in the Connecticut General Assembly. He was the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 2000. Sen. Lieberman used excess funds from his campaign fund to seed the scholarship program, and additional funds have since been raised.

The first class of Lieberman Scholars graduated college six years ago. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin, for full-time study at an accredited institution of the students’ choice. Applications for 2024 will open in February and close in April 2024. Information will be available at https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lieberman/