Applications Now Open!
Applications for the 2023 scholarship award are available!
Applications are due Monday, March 13th 2023.
Apply Now for the Mary Carroll-Kennedy and
Majorie Little Scholarship/Award
About The Mary Carroll Kennedy and Marjorie Little Awards
Any high school senior participating in the Hartford Region Open Choice Program and planning to attend either a two-year or four-year college/university may apply for these financial awards to help cover some of the costs of attending college. Completed applications must be received by the deadline indicated to be considered, and applications must be accompanied by the required essay.
Eligibility and Selection
The Mary Carroll Kennedy and Marjorie Little Awards will be presented to Open Choice high school senior(s) who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicant must be a current Hartford Region Open Choice Program high school graduating senior or junior.
- Applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7.
- Applicant must submit all required information no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 13, 2023.
Apply Now for the Mary Carroll-Kennedy and
Majorie Little Scholarship/Award
Congratulations to our 2022 Recipients!
Akeva Koulla
Avon High School
Akeva is a Mary Carroll-Kennedy Scholarship Awardee for 2022.
She will be attending University of Connecticut in the fall, majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Sarah Antoine
Hall High School
Sarah is a Mary Carroll-Kennedy Scholarship Awardee for 2022.
She will be attending Southern Connecticut State university in the fall, majoring in film television, digital production, and business administration.
Juliana Garcia Chincilla
Berlin High School
Juliana is a Mary Carroll-Kennedy Scholarship Awardee for 2022.
She will be attending Central Connecticut State University in the fall, majoring in Business.
Noelle Blake
Avon High School
Noelle is a Marjorie Little Book Awardee for 2022.
She will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall, majoring in Government.
Didismay Yedra
Portland High School
Didismay is a Marjorie Little Book Awardee for 2022.
She will be attending the Eastern Connecticut State University in the fall, majoring in Education.
About Mary Carroll Kennedy
Mrs. Kennedy began her career in Connecticut as an Educator in 1964. In 1966, Project Concern was developed and managed by the Hartford Board of Education. In 1968, she accepted a position with the Hartford Board of Education as a support teacher for the Project Concern Program.
In 1982, as a result of her dedication and passion for serving children, Mrs. Kennedy was appointed Director of The Project Concern Program and successfully managed her office staff and paraprofessionals, who worked as bus aids and support staff in the suburban public schools to support Choice students and their families.
Mrs. Kennedy continued to be a faithful and effective advocate for Hartford students during the times when Project Concern was the hot project in the Legislature and in years when funding for the project was declining. Throughout those years, Mrs. Kennedy continued her work to give Hartford students an opportunity for educational success and a bright future.
In 1997, Project Concern became part of a statewide Open Choice Program as a solution of the Sheff vs. O'Neil court case and is funded by the State of Connecticut. That year, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), who was appointed by the state to manage the Open Choice Program, hired Mrs. Kennedy as the Program Director. She worked hard to ensure that the transition from Project Concern to Open Choice was seamless. During her tenure the Choice Program's enrollment expanded from approximately 540 students to serving over 900 students.
The Mary Carroll Kennedy College Scholarship & Award was launched on June 19, 2002 when Mrs. Kennedy retired from the Choice Program. A total of $3,200 was initially raised for the scholarship.
Mary later married former superintendent, James Kennedy. They still reside in Connecticut and are enjoying their married life and retirement.
About Marjorie Little
Established in 2016, during the 50th Anniversary of the Hartford Region Open Choice Program, formally Project Concern, the Marjorie Little Book Award has been established in recognition of parent and former employee, Marjorie Little, who was committed to offering Hartford residents a better educational opportunity.
Mrs. Little began serving Project Concern as a parent advocate and helped in developing community support for the program in 1964 at the encouragement of Dr. Alexander Plant and Trudy Johnson-Mero, co-founders of Project Concern. In 1966, she accepted a position with the Hartford Board of Education as a Para-professional for Project Concern in South Windsor. In 1968 Mrs. Little was promoted to the position of Coordinator of Teacher Aids. This role assisted Project Concern high school students in exploring college/university options and researching scholarship opportunities. Mrs. Little worked for Project Concern for 29 years and successfully helped to give 100’s of Hartford students an opportunity for a brighter future. These included four of Mrs. Little’s five children who graduated from South Windsor High School, Plainville High School, East Catholic High School and Mount St. Joseph’s Academy. Mrs. Little also had two grandchildren who graduated from South Windsor High School as program participants. When Mrs. Little retired in December 1994, 1,000 students had graduated from the program. Ms. Little continues to reside in Hartford.
