Chhin Lor Memorial Scholarship

Chhin Lor was a beloved father whose life was defined by perseverance, reinvention, and an unshakeable belief in the power of education. Born in Cambodia, he was sent to boarding school in China at the age of twelve and largely on his own from that point forward. He became a math professor before fleeing during the Cultural Revolution, then rebuilt his life in Cambodia—farming, running a family business, and building something meaningful—until the Khmer Rouge ended that life entirely.

Chhin survived labor camps, escaped through the jungle, and eventually reached a refugee camp that brought him to the United States. He arrived with thirty dollars and four languages and immediately began learning a fifth. He attended night school, pursued his education, and built a career at Hewlett‑Packard—not because the path was easy, but because he never believed difficulty was a reason to stop.

Chhin believed that learning—academic, hard‑won, and lifelong—builds not only opportunity, but character. He understood how transformative access to education can be, especially for those who must forge that path themselves. This scholarship honors his legacy by supporting students who share that same hunger to rise, adapt, and prove themselves through effort rather than entitlement.

The Chhin Lor Memorial Scholarship is open to any Massachusetts high school senior who will be a first-generation college student. Applicants should demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity, a strong work ethic, and a genuine commitment to learning. Ideal candidates are curious about the world, value integrity and fairness, and see education as a means to build a better future for themselves and others.

To apply, applicants are invited to share their journey as a first‑generation student: the challenges they have faced, how perseverance or reinvention has shaped their path, and how education has influenced who they are—and who they hope to become.