Claire McGeehan Leadership Award

ABOUT THE AWARD

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 who believed in the power of education, compassion, and community.

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

Through this scholarship, we strive to empower young people by celebrating their diverse life experiences, challenges, and perspectives that build character, inspire leadership, and foster 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 encouragement, guidance, and support throughout their educational journey.

We look forward to learning more about you, your experiences, and the unique perspective you bring to your community.

The Claire McGeehan Leadership Award nomination process includes two required components:

1. Mentor Nomination
   
   You must be nominated by a mentor, educator, or community leader who knows you and can speak to your leadership, experiences, and contributions to your community.
   
   
2. Student Reflection & Introduction
   
   You will share your own leadership story through either a written reflection (approximately 1–2 pages) or a brief video introduction (approximately 3–5 minutes).

IMPORTANT: IDENTIFY YOUR MENTOR FIRST

Before completing this form, please identify a mentor who is willing to nominate you and complete the separate mentor nomination form.

We encourage you to coordinate with your mentor to ensure both submissions are received by February 28, 2027.

Mentor Nomination Form Linked Here

Your scholarship submission will be considered complete once Media Fellowship House has received both your student reflection and your mentor's nomination.

We encourage you to share your story in your own voice and choose the format that feels most comfortable to you. There is no single right way to tell your story, and we look forward to learning about the experiences, values, and aspirations that make you uniquely you.

• Three finalists will be invited to participate in a video interview with a member of the Award Team in March 2027.
• One Delaware County High School Student will be selected to receive this award and notified by April 15, 2027.
• Our scholarship recipient and their sponsor will be honored at an Annual Award Ceremony at Media Fellowship House’s Annual Meeting in May 2027.

We invite you to take the next step and share your leadership story! Once you have identified a mentor who is willing to nominate you, you are ready to begin.

We'll start by asking for some basic contact information, followed by an opportunity to share your leadership story through a written reflection or video introduction.

We look forward to learning more about you and celebrating the experiences, values, and aspirations that make you uniquely you.

The Claire McGeehan Leadership Award celebrates young people whose experiences, perspectives, and contributions help strengthen their communities.

Through this reflection, we invite you to share your story and help us understand how your experiences have shaped the person you are becoming and the leader you hope to be.

We encourage you to reflect on any or all of the following leadership qualities:

• Perseverance in overcoming adversity: How challenges or difficult experiences have shaped your growth, perspective, and resilience.
• Celebrating differences and promoting understanding: How you have helped bring people together, foster understanding, or create a more welcoming and inclusive environment.
• Service to the larger community: How you have contributed to your school, neighborhood, or community and made a positive difference in the lives of others.

There is no single path to leadership. We are interested in learning about your experiences, what matters to you, and the unique perspective you bring to your community.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for the Claire McGeehan Leadership Award, students 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 GUIDELINES

Please respond to the questions included in this form rather than submitting a general essay or college application letter.

You may submit your reflection as either:

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

Please share your responses in your own voice and choose the format that feels most comfortable to you. Your mentor may support you throughout the process, but your reflection should express your own experiences and perspectives.

Deadline for Submission: February 28, 2027 

Questions? Please contact:

Amy Komarnicki, Executive Director

scholarship@mediafellowshiphouse.org

610-565-0434, x102

Please tell us a little more about yourself here:

Please prepare a written reflection of approximately 1–2 pages using the questions below as a guide. You do not need to answer each question separately. Instead, we encourage you to use these prompts to help tell your story.

1. Your Leadership Journey: How do you define leadership? Share an experience, accomplishment, or example of how you have contributed to your school or community.
   
   
2. Resilience Through Adversity: Everyone faces challenges and adversity at different points in their lives. Reflect on a challenge, obstacle, or difficult experience you have faced. How did you navigate that experience, what did you learn about yourself, and how has it shaped your growth, perspective, or leadership?
   
   You are welcome to share an experience that is meaningful to you. You do not need to disclose anything you are uncomfortable sharing.
   
   
3. Celebrating Differences and Promoting Understanding: Share an example of how you have helped bring people together, promoted understanding across differences, or contributed to making your school or community more welcoming and inclusive.
   
   
4. Looking Ahead: What are your hopes and aspirations for the future? How do you hope to make a positive difference in the lives of others or in your community?

Prefer to share your story on video? We invite you to record a brief 3–5 minute introduction.

You may use the questions below to guide your response:

1. Tell us a little about yourself and your interests.
2. Share an experience that has shaped your leadership or helped you grow.
3. What is something you have done to make a positive difference in your school or community?

What are your hopes for the future?

Your video does not need to be professionally produced. We simply want to hear from you!

Video Submission: Please upload your video or provide a link to your recording below.

By signing my name below, I confirm that this submission reflects my own experiences and perspective. I understand that my submission will be reviewed by the Media Fellowship House Claire McGeehan Leadership Award selection committee.

The Claire McGeehan Leadership Award requires a nomination from a mentor, educator, or community leader who knows you and can speak to your leadership, experiences, and contributions to your community.

Your mentor must complete a separate nomination form as part of your scholarship submission.

Please provide the name and contact information of the person who will be submitting your nomination so we can connect their recommendation with your student reflection.

If you are 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.