James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship

The James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with Albuquerque Community Foundation by family and friends of James Ledwith in 2011. This scholarship program will award one or more scholarships of up to $2,000 to high school graduates from Albuquerque who plan to continue to pursue a life dream and a professional or educational goal in spite of facing extraordinary life challenges.

The recipient will be a graduating high school senior from the Albuquerque Metro Area (Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, and Sandoval Counties) who has overcome their personal adversity and demonstrates:

• Hope, faith and courage
• Thoughtfulness and service to others
• Living life, pursuing dreams and enabling oneself

This scholarship is to be used for post-secondary education at an accredited nonprofit or public educational institution with the intention of pursuing a life dream and/or professional goal. The school may be a two-year or four-year college or university and the student must attend full-time. Applicants needs to demonstrate that they are capable of succeeding in their educational pursuits and that this scholarship will help them in this endeavor.

One to two awards up to $2,000 will be given annually.

After the Foundation’s committee has met to review applications, recipients will be notified via mail and will be listed on this web page. The recipient’s high school will also be notified of the selection for inclusion in the Senior Honors Assembly.

Additional REQUIRED Criteria/Attachments:

The official letters of reference should explain how the applicant meets the criteria and intent of this program to award a student who has faced and overcome an extraordinary life challenge during their high school years.

One letter of reference must be from a member of his/her high school staff or faculty (a teacher, administrator or activity sponsor). This MUST explain how the applicant has faced an extraordinary life challenge during their high school years. They must explain their role and/or relationship with the applicant.

The second letter of reference may be from someone whose life has been positively affected by the applicant such as a community or activity sponsor, employer, minister, teacher, etc. This letter MUST explain how the applicant has faced an extraordinary life challenge during their high school years and how their example has impacted the person writing the letter. They must explain their role and/or relationship with the applicant.

A personal essay that describes:

• Your life dream and professional/educational goals
• The extraordinary life challenge you have had to face during your high school years and the steps you have taken to pursue your dreams despite this challenge
• How you have demonstrated thoughtfulness and service to others

Only complete applications with a transcript, personal essay and 2 letters of recommendation will be considered.