Lieberman Scholars 2020 Selected

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund announced today that five Connecticut students who are headed to college in the fall will be the 8th class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the Fund. In addition, 15 current college students who received scholarships beginning in their freshman year will have the scholarship renewed for their upcoming sophomore, junior and senior year.

Five students, who were the fourth group to receive the annual scholarships beginning in 2016, graduated from their respective colleges this spring. The program began in 2013, and the first class of Scholars graduated college three years ago.

The five students - from Glastonbury, Lakeville, Old Lyme, Redding and Stonington - who graduated from high school last month 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.

The five student recipients from a year ago, five students who have just completed their sophomore years, and five Lieberman Scholars who have completed their junior year, will each receive $1,500 for the upcoming academic year when they return to school in the fall.

“Higher education can provide the foundation for greater opportunity, enabling determined and inspiring young people to advance their studies and achieve their aspirations,” said former Sen. Lieberman. “I am pleased to support these students with this scholarship. It is a way for me to express my appreciation and give back to 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.”

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund received 71 applications in 2020 from students attending 54 high schools in 46 Connecticut cities and towns.

Students to receive scholarships for their freshman year, with their high school, the college they plan to attend, and major:

• Olivia Fassman, Redding; Joel Barlow High School, Cornell University (Math & Computer Science);
• Keya Ghosh, Glastonbury; Glastonbury High School, Indiana University (Finance);
• Madisyn Gomez, Lakeville; Berkshire School, Wesleyan University (Political Science & Government);
• Samantha Olson, Old Lyme; Lyme-Old Lyme High School, Northwestern University (Economics);
• Stephanie Weber, Stonington; Marine Science Magnet High School (Groton), Lesley University (Human Services);

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.

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 2020 recipients:

• Olivia Fassman of Redding is employed this summer at the Yale Clinical Affective Neuroscience & Development Lab as a Research Assistant. She has also volunteered as a tutor at Danbury Grassroots Academy and worked in analytical science labs, sparking a passion for biostatistics. She enjoyed competing on the varsity tennis and indoor track teams.
• Keya Ghosh of Glastonbury earned National Science Honor Society recognition, was a varsity indoor & outdoor track and field athlete, and member of the Medical Leaders of Tomorrow Club. She is a Big Brother/Big Sister mentor, has volunteered at Trinity Health and Women’s Health Center, and is a classically-trained violinist and certified soccer referee.
• Madisyn Gomez of the Lakeville section of Salisbury is a Black Rock Scholar and member of the Cum Laude Society, and graduated with distinction in history, science and English. She is also a two-time AP Scholar and avid environmentalist.
• Samantha Olson of Old Lyme is a Science Olympiad state champion and middle school Science Olympiad coach. She earned recognition in the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, is an AP Scholar and National Merit Commended Scholar. She is also an All-American Gymnastics recipient and has volunteered at the Florence Griswold Museum.
• Stephanie Weber of Stonington earned National Honor Society (NHS) recognition and was NHS Vice President, helping to execute various service activities. She was also a Student Director for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and attended American Legion Auxiliary Laurel Girls State and the United States Coast Guard Academy Introductory Mission.

The scholarship 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. Sen. Lieberman used excess funds from his campaign fund to seed the scholarship program, and additional funds have been raised. 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 the 2021 scholarship will open in February 2021 and close in April 2021. Additional information will be available at https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lieberman/