Lisa Sechrist Memorial Scholarship

The Lisa Sechrist Memorial Foundation (the "Foundation") has been established to provide financial support to underprivileged women to finance their higher education. It is anticipated that distributions will be made through other exempt organizations to women who reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia, largely based on need and other characteristics such as merit, integrity and academic potential. It will be the Foundation's policy to make its distributions without regard to race, religion, color or age or any other protected classifications in accordance with applicable law.

Lisa Sechrist, in whose memory the Foundation is established, tragically lost her life when domestic violence escalated to her death. The Foundation's goals are patterned after the factors that Lisa's family feels contributed to this unfortunate conclusion of a promising young life. Should Lisa have been equipped with or had access to either of the following, her death may have been prevented: A complete college education to provide self-esteem as well as the skills essential to provide a stable and financially sound environment for her family, for a profession, and an affordable, safe place to live (away from her abuser).

The Foundation's scholarship fund will award college tuition, moneys and school-related expenses to qualified candidates based upon need, integrity, merit, and academic potential. The award will be given in the form of a gift, not expected to be repaid, in an amount to be determined after fundraising efforts are farther along. It is anticipated that during this year , the Foundation will provide one (1) scholarship up to $10,000 to one (1) qualified candidate to be paid over a four year time period or shorter, if attending another acceptable program. This scholarship opportunity will be publicized throughout the Fairfax County School System and Prince William County School System by way of Guidance Counselors and public notices.

Criteria:

Applicants for the Lisa Sechrist Memorial Foundation Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

A) At the end of the candidate's high school career, candidate will be awarded with a high school diploma or equivalent.

B) The candidate must demonstrate that she is working toward the completion of her application to an accredited institution of higher learning. Where possible, the foundation will make every effort to assist the candidate with the application. Before the scholarship funds are distributed, the candidate must be accepted to an accredited four-year college, university or a post high school education program. This would include community college or technical schools.

C) Positive consideration will be given to those candidates who are members of honor societies, participate in sports, or other extra curricular activities, demonstrate citizenship and service within the community, and/or exhibit leadership skills within the school or community. These qualities and/or accomplishments will enhance a candidate's standing in the evaluation process.