West Hartford Student Earns Lieberman Scholarship

The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund announced today that five Connecticut students who are headed to college in the fall will be the 9th class of Lieberman Scholars to receive scholarships from the Fund, including Greta Magendantz of West Hartford, who graduated from Hall High School last month.

The five students who graduated from high school last month - from Enfield, Ridgefield, Wallingford, West Hartford and Weston - 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.

In addition, 15 current college students who received scholarships beginning in their freshman year will have the scholarship renewed for their upcoming sophomore, junior or senior year.

In addition to Greta Magendantz, students to receive scholarships for their freshman year (and their former high school, college they plan to attend, and academic major) are: Ellery Campbell, Wallingford; Lyman Hall High School, Brown University (Economics); Cassandra Dean, Enfield; Enfield High School, Northeastern University (Health Science); Julia Grey, Ridgefield; Ridgefield High School, University of Virginia (Biology); and Leila Troxell, Weston; Weston High School, University of Virginia; School of Engineering, Rodman Scholar (Computer Engineering)

“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 502 applications in 2021 from students attending 164 high schools in 141 Connecticut cities and towns.

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.

Greta Magendantz earned The President’s Volunteer Service Award, and was president of the Westmoor 4-H Club and her school’s National Honor Society, captain of the Track & Field team and an All-Conference Shotput Thrower. She participated in her high school’s Comedy Improv Troupe and Unified Theater, and earned the 2020-21 American Legion Award and the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Award in Writing.

The five student recipients from 2020, 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. Five students, who were the fifth group to receive the annual scholarships beginning in 2017, graduated from their respective colleges this spring. The program began in 2013, and the first class of Scholars graduated college four years ago.

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 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 2022 scholarship will open in February 2022 and close in April 2022. Additional information will be available at https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/lieberman/