• Claire McGeehan Leadership Award

    for Delaware County, PA High School Seniors

  • Nomination Form for Mentors

  • Thank you for your interest in the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award at Media Fellowship House! Created in 2022, this award honors the life and legacy of Claire Dowdy McGeehan, a dedicated Media Fellowship House Board Member, community volunteer, and long-time educator.

    We recognize that the challenges and adversity we face can shape who we become. Through these experiences, we often develop the key leadership qualities of perseverance, resilience, and compassion. Yet, these qualities are not always recognized for the important role they play in shaping leaders and strengthening communities.

    Through this scholarship program, we strive to empower young people by celebrating their diverse life experiences, challenges, and perspectives that build character, develop leadership skills, and inspire a more compassionate and inclusive community.

    The Claire McGeehan Leadership Award provides $2,000 per year for up to four years of a student's chosen post-secondary program. Beyond financial assistance, Media Fellowship House is committed to building an ongoing relationship with scholarship recipients through a network of mentors, offering guidance, encouragement, and support throughout their educational journey.

    THE NOMINATION PROCESS

    The Claire McGeehan Leadership Award nomination process includes two required components: a mentor nomination and a student reflection.

    We encourage mentors and students to work together to complete both parts of this packet by February 28, 2027.

    • Part One: Mentor Nomination: A mentor, educator, counselor, coach, or community leader who knows the student completes the nomination form and shares specific examples of the student's leadership, experiences, and contributions to their community.

    • Part Two: Student Reflection & Introduction The nominated student shares their own leadership story through either:

      • A written reflection of approximately 1–2 pages; or
      • A brief video introduction of approximately 3–5 minutes

    Students are encouraged to reflect on their experiences, leadership, resilience, contributions to their community, and aspirations for the future.

    Both components are required for a nomination to be considered complete. By completing this form, you are completing STEP 1 of the process. The student can complete their part of the process at the link here: STUDENT REFLECTION FORM

     

    ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

    Nominees must:

    • Be a current high school senior residing in or attending school in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
    • Plan to enroll in a post-secondary program in the year following high school graduation. This may include a 2- or 4-year college or university, trade school, certificate program, military service, or similar educational or career pathway.
    • Evidence of financial need is not required. However, Media Fellowship House is committed to promoting opportunities for students from low- to moderate-income households.

    SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
    Please submit this nomination form by February 28, 2027.

    NOTES ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS

    • Media Fellowship House will review completed nominations following the February 28, 2027 deadline.
    • Up to 3 selected finalists and their mentors will be invited to participate in a Leadership Conversation with members of the Award Team in March 2027.
    • Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 15, 2027.
    • The scholarship recipient and their mentor will be honored at an Annual Award Ceremony at Media Fellowship House's Annual Meeting in May 2027.
    • All submissions will be kept confidential and shared only with those involved in the scholarship selection process.


    QUESTIONS?

    Amy Komarnicki, Executive Director
    Media Fellowship House
    scholarship@mediafellowshiphouse.org
    610-565-0434, ext. 102

    Thank you for helping us recognize and celebrate the next generation of community leaders!

  • Ready to get started?

    You will be asked to provide basic information about you and the student you are nominating. To complete the nomination, you will be able to answer a few questions to share about their leadership qualities which make them a good candidate for this award.

  • 1. Your Contact Information

    We collect basic information so that we can stay in touch with you throughout the application process. We promise not to share this with anyone outside of our organization.

  • Please tell us a little more about yourself here:

  • Preferred Pronouns*
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Phone Type*
  • What is the best way to reach you?*
  • Please add me to your mailing list to stay informed of future programs at Media Fellowship House.*

  • 2. Student Information

  • Please tell us a little more about the student you are nominating for the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award. 

    To be eligible, the student must be a current High School Senior currently residing or attending school in Delaware County, Pennsylvania and expected to graduate and move on to a post-secondary program.

  • Is the Student a current Delaware County, PA high school senior?*

  • 3. Leadership Qualities

    Here is your opportunity to share personal stories or specific examples of why you are nominating this student for the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award. The scholarship committee is seeking students who stand out for the three leadership qualities listed below:

  • In this nomination form, please share with us why you believe this student demonstrates any or all of the following leadership qualities. We encourage you to share a story about the student and/or provide specific examples of their involvement in school or community activities. 

    • Perseverance in overcoming adversity
    • A commitment to celebrating differences and promoting understanding
    • Service to the larger community

     

    Please complete this form specifically for the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award. Your responses to each question should describe how you know the student and provide specific examples of their leadership, perseverance through adversity, commitment to celebrating differences and promoting understanding, and service to the larger community. 

    Please do not submit a general letter of recommendation prepared for college applications or other scholarship opportunities. We are looking for your personal perspective on how the student demonstrates the qualities recognized by this award. 

     

  • Overcoming Adversity with Resilience

  • Promoting Diversity and Understanding

  • Service to the Larger Community

  • Last Chance to Brag!

    Use this space to share more about the student and why you have chosen to nominate this student for the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award.

  • SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28, 2027.

    Contact Amy Komarnicki, scholarship@mediafellowshiphouse.org, with any questions or 610-565-0434.

  • Permission

  • If the student you have nominated is selected to win a scholarship, Media Fellowship House may list your name, a quote, and photo (of your choice) to promote this program. This may include posting to social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), MFH website, MFH e-newsletters, and local newspapers.

  • Do you grant MFH permission to share your information as listed in the paragraph above?*

  • Mentor Confirmation: By signing below, I confirm that the information provided in this nomination reflects my knowledge and experience of the student. I understand that this nomination will be reviewed by the Media Fellowship House Claire McGeehan Leadership Award selection committee.

  • Should be Empty: