RICK SHEA 510 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Rick Shea 510 Memorial Scholarship was established in 2021 to provide exceptional students at Medford High School with the needed resources to pursue higher education. The Scholarship was created in memory of Richard J. “Rick” Shea, a Medford High alum who believed strongly in the transformative power of education and generous, abiding service to one‘s community. Rick was born in a low–income neighborhood in Cambridge before moving to a modest home in Medford as a child. His father Charlie was a truck driver and his mother Barbara worked as a waitress. While attending Medford High, Rick strove to balance a rigorous commitment to academics, athletics and the need to work multiple part–time jobs. He received a scholarship to attend Tufts University, then Suffolk Law School and continued on to become one of the most well–respected trial attorneys in Massachusetts. 

 Rick maintained a strong connection to where he came from whether it was through his mentoring of MHS‘s Mock Trial Club, his pro bono legal assistance for those in need, or his lifelong friendships with the “510 Crew.” Rick passed away in 2020, leaving behind a deeply felt legacy of kindness, openhanded giving and meritorious success; it‘s a legacy that would not have been possible without the financial award he received in high school, when he only dreamed of a college education. A scholarship changed Rick Shea‘s life. It also allowed him to change many more. 

Rick Shea 510 Memorial Scholarships are awarded to students that demonstrate a desire and ability for high academic achievement beyond MHS and would benefit from additional resources to achieve their goals. We look forward to reviewing your application, and thank you for reading Rick‘s story! 

Scholarship

Thank you for your interest in the Rick Shea 510 Memorial Scholarship. In order to be eligible for this need–based scholarship, you must be: 

1.  graduating from Medford High School (Massachusetts) in Spring 2024.
2. pursuing further studies at a two- or four-year college or university; exceptions may be made for post-high school education at a vocational school as determined by the Scholarship Committee.

All of the information requested on the application form is also required for eligibility. Academic achievement, personal accomplishments, financial need and response to the personal statement/essay question are all important factors in our choice of a scholarship recipient, but none of these factors alone can either guarantee or disqualify an applicant. 

Scholarship Recipient Instructions (keep for your records)

Money will be awarded near the beginning of the 1st semester of the 1st year in college. If selected as a recipient of this scholarship, you will need to provide the following information to the scholarship administrators to receive your award funds. Please include the following with your application: 

1.  Your name and student ID for the college where the funds are to go.
2.   University Name, Financial Aid Office contact’s Name and the address where the award money will be sent.

Scholarship recipient/s will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship which may only be used for tuition, required class books, and/or approved education fees. Please note: All scholarship funds will be sent directly to the recipient‘s college account. No scholarship funds will be given directly to the student. Family members/relatives of Rick Shea are NOT eligible for this scholarship. 

Apply for the Rick Shea 510 Memorial Scholarship HERE 

Thank you for applying, and good luck! 

Fund Administrators

• Charles Shea
• Caren Shea
• Michael Shea

Donations

CharitySmith accepts donations in two ways:

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.

For questions regarding your donation or this memorial fund please contact CharitySmith.