Applicants sought for $500 Rep. Ferri scholarships

Posted 3/11/14

Applications are now available for the Rep. Frank Ferri Leadership Award scholarships for graduating seniors.

Four $500 scholarships will be awarded this year, and any graduating senior who …

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Applicants sought for $500 Rep. Ferri scholarships

Posted

Applications are now available for the Rep. Frank Ferri Leadership Award scholarships for graduating seniors.

Four $500 scholarships will be awarded this year, and any graduating senior who attends Warwick Veterans High School or who lives in House District 22 but attends another school is invited to apply. (To find out your district, visit www.sec.state.ri.us/vic.) The funds can be designated for college, technical school or training that leads to certification for a trade. The award will be presented to four graduating seniors who have demonstrated leadership and worked toward equality and fairness for all.

Applicants are asked to complete a brief application available from the Warwick Veterans High School Guidance Office and the office of the Warwick Beacon, 1944 Warwick Ave., Warwick. Applicants must submit a transcript, a letter of recommendation and a resume or list of their scholastic achievements and extracurricular activities, and write a one-page essay responding to the following statement from Bernadette Devlin: “Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.”

Completed applications can be submitted to the Warwick Veterans High School Guidance Office or mailed to: Rep. Frank Ferri Leadership Award, 38 Lippitt Ave., Warwick, RI 02889. The application deadline is April 25.

The scholarship program was established in 2008 by Ferri (D-Dist. 22, Warwick) with the waiver payment he receives for declining the state-paid health insurance he could receive as a state representative. Ferri buys his health insurance through his business, Town Hall Lanes, a bowling center in Johnston, and when he won election to the House of Representatives, he planned to save taxpayers money by opting out of the state insurance plan. Later, when he found out that turning down the insurance would result in a $2,000 waiver payment, he decided to use the money to set up the scholarship for students in his community. In later years, the waiver payment was reduced to $1,000, but Representative Ferri makes up the difference to continue offering the same amount in scholarships.

“Higher education is absolutely imperative today but is becoming less and less affordable. I am fortunate that I was able to receive an education, and I feel privileged to be able help a few students in my district each year with their educational goals,” said Ferri.

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