Scholarships

A longstanding component of the DCA mission is providing college scholarships to Darien High School (DHS) graduates.

Celebrating our 81st year of granting scholarships, the DCA awards at least $50,000 each year. Since its inception, the DCA scholarship program has provided over $2 million in funding to more than 1400 DHS graduates. The DCA is the largest provider of scholarships to DHS graduates — with funding for both new and returning college students — and the only DHS scholarship program offering recipients the opportunity to reapply for all four years of college.

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Scholarships are based on both merit and need, and are funded by a wide range of DCA programs – from our Thrift Shop to our Academic Lecture Series to house rentals — and with the support of donations including those of our named scholarship sponsors. Congratulations to all our recipients!

Congratulations to Our 2022 Darien High School Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations to the Darien High School (DHS) Class of 2022 and those who are DCA scholarship awardees. The DCA is proud of the accomplishments of DHS graduates, and pleased to help contribute toward their college education. Scholarships are funded by a wide range of DCA programs – from our DCA Thrift Shop to Academic Lecture Series to house rentals – and with the support of donations including those of our scholarship sponsors listed below.

DHS Class of 2022 Scholarship Winners

Current College Students Receiving Continued Scholarship Funding

Click here for the full list of our 2021 DCA Scholarship winners.

Wagner

Samantha Wagner

DHS Class of 2021 Award

Anne C. Cary Scholarship

University of Vermont

Wagner

Charlotte de Weaver

DHS Class of 2021 Award

Rodriguez Family Scholarship

Roanoke College

O'Brien

Tyler O’Brien

DHS Class of 2021 Award

University of North Carolina
Wilmington

P. van den Broek Scholarship

Arbubakrr

Kinga Srednicka

DHS Class of 2021 Award

Teddy Gray/Steuert Family Scholarship

Elon University

Arbubakrr

Isabella Delazerda

DHS Class of 2021 Award

DR Bank Scholarship

California College of the Arts

H. Grant

Heather Grant

DHS Class of 2021 Award

Anne C. Cary Scholarship

Loyola University Maryland

The Darien Times article “DCA Scholarships Assist with Rising Tuition Costs” provides additional detail on DCA scholarships, and the significant need in our community. To hear what some of our recipients have to say about the impact of a DCA scholarship, please see our Testimonials page.

The scholarship program, including interviews and selection of recipients, is managed by the dedicated volunteers on our Scholarship Committee: Kate Larson (Co-chairman), Susan Vogel (Co-chairman), Kristen Harnisch, Ulla Kremer, Judi Linskey, Elizabeth Moley and Pat van den Broek.

For more information, please contact scholarships@dariendca.org.

Click here to see our DCA Scholarship brochure.

DCA Recognizes Named Scholarship Sponsors

‘Scholarship Stories’ event celebrates 77 years of DCA scholarships

The DCA recently hosted an evening reception thanking the local businesses, families and foundations who sponsor named college scholarships through the DCA.

Our college scholarship program for Darien High School (DHS) graduates is a longstanding philanthropic tradition, now in its 77^th year. The DCA is the largest provider of scholarships at DHS. This past spring, the DCA awarded over $60,000 in scholarship grants.

The highlight of the evening was remarks from three past DCA scholarship recipients, representing a range of ages and backgrounds. These speakers included Althea Perley (DHS Class of 2011), Tricia Rogers Prokop (DHS Class of 2001) and Susan Harrington Hamill (DHS Class of 1976). Rogers, who now has her doctorate and teaches at the University of Hartford in their doctoral physical therapy program, said “As a college student, I was grateful for the DCA scholarship. As a professor who is working with graduate students who are academically successful but may be struggling with the costs, I have an even greater appreciation for the support I received.”

Several special guests were recognized during the evening as well, including DHS Principal Ellen Dunn.

Click here to read the full press release about our event.