Thomas B. Fernald Scholarship

attention high school seniors!


If you answer yes to the following questions you could qualify for the Thomas B. Fernald Community Service Scholarship!
  • Did you attend Shady Grove Elementary School?
  • Have you been an active volunteer or a leader in your community?
  • Are you a high school senior?

​The Thomas B. Fernald Scholarship honors students who have used their time, talent or education to be a leader in their community.  The Thomas B. Fernald Scholars will be awarded money raised by the Shady Grove Elementary School PTA. The Shady Grove Elementary PTA established this scholarship to honor the school’s first principal, Thomas B. Fernald.  Mr. Fernald had a strong impact at Shady Grove, making sure he taught his cardinals stewardship and leadership in addition to academics. 

During his time at Shady Grove, our Cardinals participated in numerous community service projects including Project CARE where the 4th graders applied for an won a Prudential Insurance: Spirit of Community Initiative Grant which provided the students the resources to record books on tape for MVC’s Pediatric Oncology Unit.  Students also adopted grandparents from Ginter Hall, made valentines for patients at the VA Hospital and Children’s Hospital, packed lunches for the homeless residents of Richmond’s Freedom House, and participated in Jump Rope for Heart to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Mr. Fernald made sure that education at Shady Grove included being thankful, being kind and caring to others, helping the less fortunate thus gaining a deeper appreciation for one’s own blessings.

In 2000, the PTA recognized Mr. Fernald’s achievements and began raising funds to honor students who had attended Shady Grove and who have used their time, talent, or education to be a leader in their community. Although Mr. Fernald retired from Shady Grove in 2003, his legacy of giving to others lives on.

Requirement:  Former Student of Shady Grove Elementary

Criteria:  High School senior, active in "community service" - unpaid, volunteer efforts aimed at helping a population in need, a well-rounded individual, an overall good student, and a person of good character.

How to apply:  Provide resume requirements by 5pm on March 15, 2025.  Resume requirements can be found on the scholarship application.*Please note that submissions are digital and 2 copies must be sent. One copy should have the applicant's name visible and the other should not have a visible name. The PTA will use the redacted copy for scoring. 
The Scholarship Committee will determine the number of applicants selected to receive a scholarship. Applicants will be notified via email by May 1st. Questions? please email [email protected]

How to obtain the Scholarship Application: Application here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zXqsErKnxQ73-Lb1Edw-tOKXRC7hGfeA4vyxDroePRc/edit?usp=sharing . Applications are also available in the SGES front office.