Ed and Flora Pellegri Scholarship

$5,000
2 winners, $2,500 each
Open
Application Deadline
Jun 17, 2024
Winners Announced
Jul 17, 2024
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior or undergraduate
State:
Massachusetts or Connecticut
Major:
Law enforcement, nursing, or teaching
Education Level:
State:
Major:
High school senior or undergraduate
Massachusetts or Connecticut
Law enforcement, nursing, or teaching

Everyone faces challenges in their lives in some form or another.

Learning to preserve during the difficult parts of life makes the good parts that much more rewarding. As you pursue your dream career path, remember that no profession is free of challenges. Work hard and learn to overcome the hurdles in your way. The Ed and Flora Pellegrini Scholarship will support Massachusetts and Connecticut students who are pursuing careers in teaching, law enforcement, or nursing.

High school seniors and undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they are studying nursing, law enforcement, or teaching in either Massachusetts or Connecticut. To apply, write about obstacles you’ve overcome and how they have shaped your career path.

Selection Criteria:
Essay, Perseverance, Passion
Published January 30, 2024
$5,000
2 winners, $2,500 each
Open
Application Deadline
Jun 17, 2024
Winners Announced
Jul 17, 2024
Education Level
High School, Undergraduate
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

What obstacles have you had to overcome in your life? How have they shaped you and influenced your career choice?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Liaidan Van Dyke
Holy Name Central Catholic HsHolden, MA
It may not look like much, but my chair was my "home away from home." It was a chair at Boston Children's Hospital's Infusion Center. When I was ten, I noticed my right knee was suddenly the size of a grapefruit. Soon, my other knee, wrists, and ankles were swollen and painful. I was referred to BCH's Emergency Department. I still remember the pop of the J-Tip as I received my first IV, the procedures, countless tests, and my fear. After an admission at BCH, I was diagnosed with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis with Systemic features (JIA). In basic terms, my immune system attacked my joints, causing them to swell from inflammation. This was the day my life changed forever. I saw myself as a lost cause after several medications failed. But then I sat in my chair, where I had two-hour IV infusions, every three weeks, for the next six years. My chair saw the highs and lows of my life; coming from a full school day, straight off the field hockey field and basketball courts, hysterically crying, laughing and celebrating birthdays. It took me a while to accept my diagnosis. My chair is where I experienced the spark of passion for my life’s mission. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. Sitting in that chair helped me to spread awareness about JIA, advocate for myself and others, fall in love with a future career, and grow closer to my grandparents. Sitting in my chair, I decided to volunteer with the Arthritis Foundation. I have a different life than most kids. When looking at me, you might not guess that something is wrong. Most people don't know that kids get arthritis too. When I explain my disease to kids my age, I compare it to older people. I dislike constantly explaining JIA to people, but raising awareness is my mission in life. In 2017, my father ran, and I raised money for the Arthritis Foundation at the NYC Marathon. In 2021, I was the Youth Honoree for the Arthritis Foundation's Massachusetts Jingle Bell Run, and since 2022, I have been one of the Co-Chairs. To date, I have raised over $13,000.00 for the Arthritis Foundation. Sitting in my chair, I learned how to advocate for myself and others. I have served on BCH's Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) for three years, collaborating with staff and doctors to enhance the quality and quantity of programs and practices that affect teen patients at BCH. Being a part of TAC has helped me embrace my JIA, knowing I am helping myself and others like me. Sitting in my chair, I fell in love with my future career. It gave me a front-row seat to watch every nurse's care and compassion for their patients. My biggest dream is to become a Nurse Practitioner and work in pediatrics. I can't thank my nurses enough, and I hope to pay it forward to other kids when I become a Nurse Practitioner. Sitting in my chair allowed me to grow closer to my grandparents. For years, my grandparents would drive me to my infusions. The time I spent with them in the car and sitting in my chair was priceless. I know they won't always be here, and I cherish the time we spent together and their selflessness. My JIA sometimes makes my life challenging because it's an "invisible illness." The time in my chair helped me understand that everything happens for a reason. I am grateful for my JIA and look forward to making a difference for kids in the future.
Staycie Jimenez Soto
Amherst Regional HighSpringfield, MA

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Jun 17, 2024. Winners will be announced on Jul 17, 2024.