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 $1,500 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

January 31, 2025

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 11th grade.
  3. Two recommendation letters
    • Recommendation letter from Vicar, Sunday school principal or other spiritual organization leader about participation in church activities
    • Recommendation letter from a teacher or community leader about community service involvement.
  4. Personal essay of not more than 250 words.


    Essay topic: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” -Gandhi. Reflect on this quote based on your leadership skills, community service experience and involvement in Church.

Apply

Selection Process

A scholarship committee will review all completed scholarship applications and select recipients. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Winner will be announced at the 2025 GROW conference.

Payment Process

Once recipient is  selected, checks 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.

Contact Info