Madison Student Receives Grant for Yale Courses

Shannon Lewis ‘16 of Madison, who attends Cheshire Academy, received a Rizzolo-Larson Venture Grant from the school to enroll in two Yale University 2015 Summer Session courses. Lewis completed two college-level classes in writing and international politics. She and three other grant recipients made presentations about their learning experiences at an all-school assembly on Thursday.

She studied alongside college freshmen in her writing seminars which were taught by best-selling author Marian Thurm. The political science course, Lewis said, explored human rights and international activist groups that support effective governance. “I want to major in the subject in college,” she said.

History Department Chair James “Butch” Rogers said the grants allow students to “follow a personal passion with financial support from the Academy.” Previous grants have allowed students to study archeology in Romania, architecture in Germany and volunteer for a dolphin rescue organization.

The annual grant provides up to $5,000 for students to enhance their educational experiences. Applications for the grant open in December.