Scholarships

 

Since 2000, the Shawna Foundation has awarded Uxbridge High School graduates financial assistance to pursue their hopes and dreams after high school. What makes the Shawna Shea Memorial Scholarship unique is that awardees are carefully selected to align with Shawna’s values: helping those who live in the margins of society; having less than average grades; lacking the most advantageous socio-economic opportunities. In 2016, we expanded our Scholarship Program to Southbridge High School where we present an award to a graduating senior accepted and planning to attend Quinsigamond Community College.

Those qualities are best described in a poem written by her father Skip Shea entitled, “She Rode Her Own Wave.” It begins like this:   

 

 

                                                            

 

 

 

 

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Since the establishment of the Shawna Shea Memorial Scholarship, dozens of young people who have graduated from Uxbridge High School have received this award to continue their education. We are truly blessed to be able to provide this assistance in Shawna’s name since we know she would always want to help her friends and anyone who lives on the margins and deserves everything beautiful that life can give.   

The Shawna Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund also includes a memorial award in the name of Michael Liberty, Shawna’s cousin. This award is presented to a male Uxbridge High School graduate who exhibits the qualities of inclusion and respect for all abilities and interests.