Ashley Samuel Memorial Scholarship

The Ashley Samuel Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 to provide a scholarship to a worthy High School senior who will go directly to an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or college/university in pursuit of a certificate, diploma or baccalaureate degree. This scholarship is in memory of Ashley Samuel, a dedicated High School Junior with academic rigor and a heart for community service. Ashley was called to her eternal home on April 15, 2017. Ashley leaves behind a legacy of high academic achievements and putting others’ needs before her own. She volunteered her time as often as she could and was very involved in her home parish, St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Maynard, MA. She is recognized for her abilities to bring about the best in others and will be memorialized through the recipient of this scholarship. She was an active member of GROW Ministry and the Samuel family is sponsoring this scholarship to a member of GROW Ministry in her name.

The scholarship will provide a $2,000 award. Scholarships must be applied to the cost of undergraduate tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the educational institution.

Deadline

March 31, 2026

Criteria

  1. Be a graduating female high school senior within the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church             

  2. Demonstrate a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 3.0

  3. Demonstrate strong character, compassion for others and a commitment to community service

  4. Plan to attend an accredited vocational/technical school, community college or college/university

  5. Demonstrate a spiritual fervor

  6. Demonstrate financial need

Application Process

Completed application should include:

  1. Completed application form
  2. Supporting academic documents, high school transcript through the first semester of 12th grade
  3. Two recommendation letters
    • Recommendation letter from Vicar, Sunday school principal or other spiritual  organization leader about spiritual involvement
    • Recommendation letter from a teacher or community leader outside of the Church  about community service involvement.
  4. Personal essay of not more than 250 words
    Essay topic:  Enclose an essay of not more than 250 words on the following: Scripture teaches, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26) Gandhi echoed this truth when he said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”  How has serving others deepened your faith and understanding of your purpose, and how will  you continue to live out this calling through your studies and future life?
Apply

Selection Process

A scholarship committee will review all completed scholarship applications and select recipients.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Payment Process

One recipient will be selected and the winner will be awarded at the 2026 GROW Camp, a check will be issued to the candidate. 

No member of the Scholarship Committee, or his or her immediate family, shall be eligible for scholarship assistance during his or her tenure on the Committee.