FCEF Scholarship Awards

Congratulations to 29 Meridian High School seniors who were selected to receive scholarships stewarded by the Falls Church Education Foundation! These scholarships were fully funded by donations specifically designated for these awards. The 2024 winners were announced on Monday, May 20, at the MHS Scholarship and Awards Assembly.

To contribute to a specific scholarship, click here and select "scholarship fund" in the dropdown menu. Please indicate the scholarship name by selecting to Honor someone with this donation. 

2024 FCEF Scholarship/Award Winners
​The Torey Fay Scholarship * Mikayla Turner
Felgar-Da Silva Immigrant Community Citizen Award *  Monira Haidari
The Hoover Prize * Kaylah Curley
The Lian-Manwaring First Generation Scholarship * Danessa Alvarado-Lemus
Matheson-Linamen Scholarship * Joseph Cobucci
Maria Elena Nudell Award * Elizabeth Rotherham
Robert and Nancy Perry Scholarship * Odalys Galicia and Benjamin Gamez Ramirez
Jessica Blair Szymanski Memorial Scholarship * Rachel Brantley, Piper Cannon, Ruby Jones and Rosa Sims
Jessie Thackrey Memorial Scholarship * Piper Cannon
Cay Wiant Creative Award * Ava Lambert
J. Roger and Patricia A. Wollenberg Memorial Scholarship * Avery Pike
Women's Club of Falls Church Scholarship * Megan Carpenter and Ariana Lehrer
Tyrone Q. Byrd Mind, Body, and Character Scholarship * Maureen Tremblay and Julia Wolf
Patricia Doyle Memorial Scholarship * Ethan Hawn
Anna Hennessey Scholarship for Service Learning * Julia Wolf
Bob Morrison Photography and Visual Arts Award * Alexandra Jerez
The Grace Rissetto Scholarship * Jackson Funk
Robert W. Snee Scholarship * Rachael Brantley
Nancy and Beth Sprague Spirit of Meridian Award * Tilden Gale and Sean Lewin
Class of 2007 Unsung Hero Award * Caroline Carmody
Matthew Valley Visual Arts Scholarship * Zoe Kuo
Senior Scholarship for Choral Excellence * Alexis West

Photos of 2024 Winners

FCEF SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTIONS

Scholarships are funded by FCEF; to apply for scholarships, please contact Meridian High School Career and College counseling and/or use the student online system, Naviance.  Scholarship applications are usually due in April and awarded in May/June.  FCEF does not determine the winners of scholarships it funds; decisions are made by donors and/or Meridian High School staff.  Our current scholarships are:

• Patricia Doyle Memorial Scholarship - $1,000 - provided to a special education student selected by Special Ed department
• Torey Fay Scholarship - $1,000 - awarded to a student pursuing a math career and who demonstrates resilience and character
• Felgar-Da Silva Immigrant Community Citizen Award - $2,500 - awarded to one senior who is the child of immigrant parents or an immigrant themselves, and who exemplifies the character traits of resilience, hard work, adaptation, and community involvement
• Anna Hennessey Scholarship for Service Learning - $1,000 - awarded to a senior who exemplifies the character traits of a student dedicated to service learning
• Lian-Manwaring First Generation Scholarship - $1,500 awarded to one senior who will be a first-generation attendee of a post-secondary accredited school, and who exemplifies the character traits of resilience, hard work, adaptation, and community involvement
• Matheson-Linaman Scholarship - $4,000 - awarded to a senior interested in studying engineering
• Mind, Body, Character - Tyrone Q. Byrd Scholarship - $1,000 - awarded to two students who best embody the attributes of beloved former principal, Ty Byrd.  The initial funds donated by the Class of 2016.  
• Bob Morrison Photography & Visual Arts Award - $1,000 - provided to a student who excels in visual arts
• Maria Elena Nudell Award - $1,000 - awarded to one senior whose interests extended beyond academics to include family, athletics, community involvement and school spirit
• Warren & Mary Pace Future Educators Scholarship - $1,000 - for a student intending to pursue educational licensing in college
• Robert & Nancy Perry Scholarship - $1,000 - provided to a student attending community college
• Grace Rissetto Scholarship - $1,000 - presented to an ESOL student selected by ESOL department
• Senior Scholarship for Choral Excellence from the Choral Boosters - $1,000
• Robert W. Snee Scholarship - $1,000 - given to someone who makes a difference at MHS
• Beth & Nancy Sprague Spirit of Meridian Award - $1,000 - awarded to two seniors who exemplify the spirit of Meridian High School
• Jessica Blair Szymanski Memorial Scholarship - $1,500 (renewable for 4 years) - based on personal statements, selected by Szymanski family
• The Franklin & Kent Thackrey Memorial Scholarship - $500 awarded to a student interested in the study of communications/journalism.
• Jessie Thackrey Memorial Scholarship - $1,000 - awarded to a junior or senior interested in pursing a non-traditional career
• Matthew Valley Visual Arts Scholarship - $2,000 - awarded to a student with a significant commitment to the Visual Arts
• Cay Wiant Scholarship - $1,000 - provided to a student who excels in creative writing and performing arts
• J. Roger & Patricia A. Wollenberg Scholarship - need based full-ride scholarship to a Virginia public school (4 year)
• Women's Club of Falls Church Scholarship - $2,000 - awarded to two students who have contributed to community service
• Unsung Hero Award - $500 - awarded to one senior who is a selfless and dedicated individual who quietly contributes to the spirit of success of the Meridian community, whether through a single project or through a series of actions

For a list of previous scholarship winners, please click here. ​

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