The Cornelia Connelly

Our most prestigious merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic excellence and character. 

To be considered, please submit each of the following: 

• An essay (no more than 500 words) that answers the question: "What about Holy Child’s philosophy of education do you appreciate and how does it fit with who you are as a student?" Please cite your work if necessary. 

• A creative video that is no longer than two minutes that expresses who you are, what you value you most, and what goals you have set for yourself. 

• A reference letter from a coach, mentor, instructor - someone who knows you well and works with you outside of school. Someone who can attest to your outstanding work ethic and character, and is able to cite specifically why your candidacy for this scholarship should be considered. 

• A reference letter from an alumnus from one of the Holy Child network schools explaining why you as an individual represent the qualities that Cornelia Connelly espoused for her students.

In the Society of the Holy Child Jesus School Network, there is an understanding that our actions speak the message of the Gospel. At Holy Child, we strive to serve those in need as a community, and empower students to serve faithfully. This scholarship is awarded to those who are already modeling virtues of peace, love, understanding, compassion, and mercy – in her home, her community of faith, her school, and in the world. 

To be considered, please submit each of the following: 

• Choose one: Create a video about how you serve. Consider photos from various projects, as well as narration, and music. Be creative! OR write a reflection about how you serve and why service matters to you. 

• A reference letter from an individual who has witnessed your commitment to service and is able to cite specifically why your candidacy for this scholarship should be considered. 

• A reference letter from an alumnus from one of the Holy Child network schools explaining why you as an individual represent the qualities that Cornelia Connelly espoused for her students.

This award is given to the daughter, granddaughter, niece, or sister of a current Holy Child student or graduate of the network of Holy Child schools. 

To be considered, please submit each of the following: 

• An essay (no more than 500 words) explaining the different facets of Cornelia Connelly’s life that resonate with you the most, how you would joyously approach your education at Holy Child, take full advantage of the opportunities available to you, how Holy Child will help set you on the path to realizing your personal goals, and why continuing your family's legacy is important to you. 

• A reference letter from a Holy Child alumna should be sent directly to the Admissions Office. The letter may be written by a graduate of any of the Holy Child schools within the Society of Holy Child Jesus Network. However, the letter may not be written by the parent of the applicant. The letter of reference should speak to the students' character and academic and co-curricular interests. It should demonstrate why the student will take full advantage of the opportunities available to her at Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, MD. 

All applicants new to Connelly School of the Holy Child may apply. 

To be considered, please submit a portfolio of work containing each of the following items: 

• Two of your most successful works in any medium from the past two years. 

• One imaginative 2D artwork in any media complete with an artist statement on a separate sheet explaining your ideas. No smaller than 11x14 inches. 

• One still life drawing in pencil. Include three objects showing the surface on which they are standing, any shadows cast by the objects and the background (size: 11x14 inches). 

• A written analysis of a famous artwork (no more than 500 words). Include a copy of the artwork and write an analysis of the visual elements that you see as well as a description of the artists’ intent. Please cite your work if necessary. 

To be considered, please submit submissions via a link to YouTube or Vimeo, where you can publicly or privately host your video. If you are unable to post a video, please contact Ms. Fager for other options.  

Students may submit videos for one of the disciplines below: 

• Instrumental Music: two contrasting pieces; one to demonstrate technical ability and one lyrical or expressive; 

• Vocal Music: two contrasting pieces from the following genres – classical song in English or a foreign language, jazz, musical theatre; 

• Dance: one piece, in any form, no more than two minutes; 

• Theatre: two contrasting monologues no more than one minute each (must be memorized). 

At Holy Child, our students and families represent a wide spectrum of cultures, identities, and backgrounds. This diversity allows our students, faculty, and community members to better understand and respect different experiences and makes us smarter, wiser, and better able to fulfill our vision of graduating students who go forth to shape a better world. 

This scholarship is awarded to an individual who embraces and celebrates the uniqueness of her community members and promotes diversity and justice for those around her. 

To be considered, please submit a 500 word essay explaining how you have, in your current school and/or community, and how you can, once at Holy Child, continue to "embrace the uniqueness" of all community members and "promote diversity and justice for all"?