Weston Student Named Lieberman Scholarship Winner

WESTON, CT — The Joe Lieberman Connecticut Scholarship Fund has selected a recently-graduated Weston High School senior to receive a scholarship.

Leila Troxell, who will be studying computer engineering at the University of Virginia in the fall, was as one of five Connecticut students in the 9th 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 or senior year.

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.

Leila earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, Board of Education Excellence in Mathematics Award, Society of Women Engineers Award, Student-Athlete Booster Award and was named a PTO Scholar. Leila has served as a youth representative on the Girl Scouts Board of Directors, president of Fairfield Save the Children Youth Council, and captain of the Weston Golf Team.

"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.

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.