2023 Strong Roots Scholarship

The Richmond Defense Firm strives to serve and defend the citizens of the Richmond area and has developed a strong connection with the people and places of eastern Virginia.

It takes time, effort, and patience to build a nurturing relationship with one’s community. In today’s world, there are so many opportunities to live a transient life, to move from place to place and never settle down. Many of us seek a sense of community, but there’s usually a small group of people really working to build that sense of unity in the place that we call “home.”

As day-to-day life becomes increasingly digital and experiences become increasingly “remote,” discussion about what it takes to build healthy communities becomes more and more important. We are proud to sponsor the Strong Roots Scholarship and Essay Contest as a way to promote discussion about the meaning of community in the digital age and as a way to sponsor educational opportunities for individuals who are dedicated to building strong communities where passions and careers can take root.

This essay contest and the associated $500 scholarship is open to individuals throughout the country who are enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution during the 2022 – 2023 school year.*

Criteria for Eligibility and Selection

To be eligible for the Strong Roots Scholarship, essay contestants must adhere to the following criteria:

• All candidates must be currently enrolled (or planning to enroll) in an accredited post-secondary program, which includes: community colleges, private or public undergraduate colleges, and universities, private or public graduate degree programs, law programs, and business programs.*
• All candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
• All candidates must possess an interest in community building, as demonstrated by their essay and resumé.

*High School Seniors can apply for this scholarship.

Application Criteria

In order for a submission to be considered “complete,” all candidates must submit the following:

• An updated resumé that includes academic, professional, and volunteer experiences with a focus on community building. Candidates can feel free to highlight relevant coursework or experiences that might not be included in a typical resumé. This document must, however, be limited to actual experiences (that is, “interests” do not count as experiences).
• A 500-word essay that answers the following question:
  • How is the meaning of the word “community” changing in today’s world, and what does that mean for people who wish to build strong, healthy communities?
• A current official academic transcript demonstrating that the candidate’s cumulative grade point average is 3.0 or greater. (Note: applicants who cannot provide an official transcript from their current institution may submit both an unofficial transcript from their current institution, as well as an official transcript from their last school.)

The winner of the Strong Roots Scholarship will be announced in the Fall of 2023.

Deadline and Submissions Information

Candidates must submit their full application (including the essay, resumé, and transcript) via email sent to [email protected]. Scholarship applications should be sent with the subject line “2023 Strong Roots Scholarship.” The official deadline for this scholarship essay contest is August 31, 2023. Questions about the scholarship application must be made by email. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered.