Concord-Carlisle High School student volunteers from grades 9-12 gathered to make calls for The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle Phonathon held Sunday, March 12, and Monday, March 13. Before making calls to the community, adult volunteers helped train students with a brief skit. Crystal Wang, a Concord-Carlisle High School student, noted that “the adults were very helpful when I had questions.” Fifty enthusiastic students helped raise over $30,000 in pledges and awareness of The Scholarship Fund’s mission to provide need-based college scholarships for students who live in or have graduated from secondary schools in Concord or Carlisle.
The Phonathon helps build connections within the community. Many recipients of the phone calls enjoyed having an opportunity to speak with a high school student and trade a story or two. One student, Cameron McLeod, said “Everyone I talked to was super kind and understanding! Even if they couldn’t donate!”
Taijah Harvey, another student, related, “It was great to not only raise money for the Scholarship Fund, but also talk to kind people who had a genuine interest in my plans after high school. It is nice to know that there are people in Concord and Carlisle who graciously donate so that CC students can continue their education.”
CCHS teacher and Trustee of The Scholarship Fund, Bee Loprete, said, “The success of the Phonathon hinges on student volunteers and the local community who answered their calls. The students helped people learn more about The Scholarship Fund, which is focused solely on supporting students with unmet need to achieve their post-secondary school goals. Every year, our kids rise to the occasion, and so does the community of Concord and Carlisle.”
Since 1966, The Scholarship Fund has supported more than 1,400 students from the Concord and Carlisle communities and to date has awarded over $3 million in scholarships toward post-secondary education. Many of these scholarships are awarded from endowed named funds that honor beloved residents of Concord and Carlisle, such as Elaine DiCicco, longtime principal of CCHS, and Charles ‘Al’ Robichaud, who coached the high school football team for 18 years.
Any student with unmet financial need who has lived in or attended school in Concord or Carlisle is eligible for a scholarship. Scholarship recipients are matched with awards according to their need as well as their interests, with named funds dedicated to student athletes, musicians, and students pursuing certain fields of study.
Graduating high school seniors or in-college students who need financial assistance can apply to The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle by visiting www.thescholarshipfundofcc.org. All applicants must file a FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) in advance of their applications. April 1 is the deadline for in-college students and May 1 is the deadline for high school seniors to apply for scholarships for the 2023-24 school year.
Individuals, families, and businesses who wish to join The Scholarship Fund in supporting students in our community can make a tax-deductible donation through The Fund’s website.
To learn more about The Scholarship Fund of Concord and Carlisle visit our web site https://www.thescholarshipfundofcc.org/ and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ConcordCarlisleScholarshipFund
Photo captions:
Keane Dinner ’23 makes calls at The Scholarship Fund Phonathon on Sunday March 12.
Faith Clark ’24 makes calls at The Scholarship Fund Phonathon on Sunday March 12.
