The Gary Atkinson Imagine Scholarship
100% of donations to the Gary Atkinson Imagine Scholarship Fund to go supporting graduating LHS seniors selected based on who most embodies LHS '73 Valedictorian, Gary Atkinson's virtues .
The Scholarship
Named in honor of Gary Atkinson, an LHS Class of 1973 graduate and valedictorian, "The Gary Atkinson Imagine Scholarship" is awarded annually to a promising Ledyard High School graduating senior.
Contemplating their fiftieth reunion in 2023, surviving members of LHS Class of ‘73 established the Scholarship to meaningfully show their appreciation for LHS itself—the place where we all grew and learned together. Gary was also the Student Council President, representing LHS classes of 1973-1976. Gary's classmates wish to honor their fallen friend, who was tragically taken from this world altogether too early. Gary, along with his wife Judy were among the 270 victims who perished on Dec. 21, 1988 aboard Pan Am Flight 103 when it exploded due to a terrorist bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland.
The Scholarship's goal is to financially support those who exemplify Gary's many virtues as outlined in the Recipient Selection Criteria.
The inclusion of “Imagine” in the scholarship name, incorporates Gary’s classmates wish to highlight the sentiment he exemplified of leaning toward a world where “we all live as one” as advocated by John Lennon's song by that name, released during the Gary's LHS era.
- Scholarship Amount
- $1000
- When will the scholarship be awarded?
- June 4, 2024
Benjamin Fieldsend
Having graduated from LHS, Benjamin now attends UCONN. He was awarded 4 scholarships, all for excellence in a variety of fields. In addition he is a Ledyard Scholar, plays soccer and tennis, is one of the Captains of the Robotics team, and is on both the math and physics teams for Ledyard. He is also a member of the National Honor Society where he runs tutoring for LHS Student and plans on going to Medical school. Gracious, poised, intelligent, kindly, with a strong presence, Benjamin is sure to carry on Gary's legacy of service, leadership and kindness.
We set the bar high for a recipient of this scholarship and Benjamin far exceeded it.
To Qualify
Scholarship Recipient Selection Criteria
- Be World-Class
- Demonstrate leadership in making their world (LHS or their outside community) a better place
- Have Heart
- Exhibit kindness toward others, even under difficult circumstances
- Is Always Learning
- Invest in themselves to advance their capacity to make greater altruistic contributions
- A Team Leader
- Show a knack for bringing out the best in others
Help us reach our goal
Donate Today
100% of donations go to the Gary Atkinson Imagine Scholarship Fund, supporting graduating LHS seniors selected based on who most embodies LHS '73 Valedictorian, Gary Atkinson's virtues .