The Jessi Ghawi Memorial Scholarship

The Jessi Ghawi Memorial Scholarship is a one-time $5,000 merit-based scholarship awarded to a United States graduating high school senior or currently enrolled non-graduating college student who is a survivor of gun violence or who has lost an immediate family member to gun violence, including suicide by gun.

Jessica Nicole “Jessi” Ghawi was killed in the Aurora Colorado theater shooting in July of 2012. A native of San Antonio, Jessi moved to Denver in 2011 to pursue her career in sports journalism and adopted the name Jessica Redfield for her career. Charity was important to Jessi, and she donated her time to “the little things” in Denver to assist victims of the Colorado fire and the “Little Fighter Foundation” in San Antonio to assist children who are fighting cancer. She was easy to love, and is very missed.

APPLICATION DEADLINE 11:59 PM (ET) 12/31/2019

To apply, please complete the form below and email a copy of your high school transcript, two (2) letters of recommendation, and your most current college transcript (if a current college student) by the application deadline.

Jessi Ghawi Memorial Scholarship Judging Criteria Rubric

Jessi Ghawi Memorial Scholarship Committee:

Sandy Phillips, Chair
Helen Brickfield, Newtown Action Alliance
Amber Goodwin, Community Justice Reform Coalition
Ben Jackson, #NoRA
Alyssa Milano, #NoRA
Po Murray, Newtown Action Alliance
Khary Penebaker, DNC Black Caucus
Lonnie Phillips, Survivors Empowered
Steve Yanovsky, Newtown Action Alliance

Application

Name *

First

Last

I am a... *

This scholarship is available to a graduating High School Senior or those enrolled in an undergraduate baccalaureate program for 2020-2021 school year only.

Phone Number *

Street Address *

(Apt, Suite, Box)

City *

State *

Zip *

Email *

Must be a valid email address

I... *

You are an eligible survivor of gun violence if: *you were present at a shooting, whether or not you or anyone else was injured or killed. * You or an immediate family member (your parent, guardian, sibling, or child) died by gun violence including suicide

High School Name, Location, and Year of Graduation *

High School Transcripts required via email to [email protected]. If unable to send via email, please contact same address to make alternate arrangements

Name of College and Major (if declared)

Transcripts required for current college students (including most recent semester grades) via email to [email protected]. If unable to send via email, please contact same address to make alternate arrangements

Second Choice College

If you have not been accepted into your first choice above, please indicate your second choice college here. Please note that you must be accepted and committed to an accredited college or university to receive a scholarship.

Extra-curricular activities *

Tell us about clubs, jobs, volunteering, sports, interests, or other activities in which you enjoy. Please include how long you have been participating, and how many hours per week you spend on them.

How Gun Violence Changed My Life *

Essay: Tell us how your life is different today because of the gun violence you experienced (700 - 1,000 words)