Claire McGeehan Leadership Award Logo

  • Claire McGeehan Leadership Award

    for Delaware County High School Seniors

  • ABOUT THE AWARD

    Thank you for your interest in nominating a current high school senior for the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award. Media Fellowship House created this award in 2022 to honor the life and legacy of dedicated Media Fellowship House Board Member, community volunteer, and long-time educator Claire Dowdy McGeehan.

    We recognize that it is often those who have faced adversity who develop the key leadership skills of perseverance, resiliency, and compassion. Too often these qualities are under-recognized for the role they play in leadership. Through this scholarship program, we strive to empower our youth by lifting up the diverse life experiences and challenges that build character, develop leadership skills, and inspire a more compassionate community.

    This multi-year scholarship provides a scholarship of $2,000/year for up to 4 years for a student's chosen post-secondary program. We are committed to staying in touch with students over the next four years to provide guidance and support through a network of mentors.

  • Nomination Process

  • 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

    Nominees must also fit the following criteria:

    • A current Delaware County high school senior
    • Plans to enroll in a post-secondary program (2 or 4-year college/university, trade school, certificate program, military, or similar) in the year following their senior year.
    • Though evidence of financial need is not required, Media Fellowship House is committed to promoting opportunities for low- to moderate-income households.

    We ask that you respond to the questions included in the nomination form rather than submit a general recommendation letter.

    Deadline for Submission: February 28, 2026 

    Questions? Please contact:

    Amy Komarnicki, Executive Director

    scholarship@mediafellowshiphouse.org

    610-565-0434, x102

  • Notes about the Nomination Process

  • Media Fellowship House will not communicate with students about their nomination until after the review of all submissions by February 28, 2026. All submissions will be kept confidential unless you request otherwise.

    Three finalists will be invited to participate in a video interview with a member of the Award Team in March 2026.

    One Delaware County High School Student will be selected to receive this award and notified by April 15, 2026.

    Our scholarship recipient and their sponsor will be honored at an Annual Award Ceremony at Media Fellowship House’s Annual Meeting in May 2026.

  • 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:

  • 2. Student Information

    We will only contact the student if they are selected as a finalist for the scholarship and we are requesting a video interview to narrow down the candidates. You are welcome to let the student you have nominated them for this award, but it is not necessary.

  • 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 Delaware County High School Senior expected to graduate and move on to a post-secondary program.

  • 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:

  • 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, 2026.

    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.

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