James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship

For Hope, Faith and Courage to Pursue Dreams in the Face of Adversity

The James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship Fund was established within Albuquerque Community Foundation by family and friends in 2011. This scholarship program will annually award one or more scholarships of up to $1,000 each to high school graduates from Albuquerque who continue to pursue a “life dream” 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 who demonstrates the choice of:

  • Hope, faith and courage
  • Thoughtfulness and service to others
  • Living life, pursing dreams and enabling one’s self

The scholarship is to be used for post-secondary education at an accredited nonprofit or public educational institution in pursuit of a “life dream” and/or professional goal. The school may be a two- or four-year college or university and the student must attend full time.  The applicant needs to demonstrate that he/she is capable of succeeding in that educational pursuit and that this scholarship will help them in this endeavor.

After the Foundation’s committee has met to review applications, recipients will be notified by 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.

In the absence of a qualified applicant the Foundation may elect to make the award to a previous recipient to continue he/her education or an award may not be made in any year.

Additional REQUIRED Criteria/Attachments:

Letters of reference – the letters of reference should explain how the applicant meets the criteria and intent of this program – to award a student who has faced an extraordinary “life challenge” during their high school years:

1. 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 

2. 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 or peer

A personal essay describing your dreams, goals, challenges and life choices.  Tell us about the challenge or adversity you have had to face, why you should be considered for this scholarship and how it will help you pursue your dreams and goals.

 

Click here for the 2013 application. 

2013 Recipient--Yuridia Loera

 
Visit the family’s  website to read about James’ story. 

This program began in 1996 through the APS Education Foundation and has awarded 26 scholarships in last 16 years. The first recipient is now a university professor. Recipients have been graduates of Del Norte, Manzano, La Cueva, Eldorado, West Mesa, Rio Grande and Sandia High Schools. 

Some of the adversities that students faced include: leukemia and other cancers; being political and war refugees; visual, hearing and other physical impairments; bulimia/anorexia; homelessness/poverty; life threatening immune disease; learning disabilities; and violence/abuse. In spite of these adversities, these students did not let their challenges stop them from pursuing their life & professional dreams. They have provided significant service to others in their communities and have been an inspiration to all.