2023 Play All In Scholarship

Throughout our lives, we inevitably encounter both positive and negative bumps in the road. What’s always within our control is how we choose to react to what life throws at us.

What happens, and how other people choose to act, isn’t within our control. But our response to those realities is totally within our control. We all have the power to decide to shift our focus away from external circumstances and choose our response to life’s challenges.

We can either choose to feel helpless, or we can make a different decision and look for the opportunities presented by our circumstances. It’s the difference between focusing on problems and focusing on opportunities. What do you truly want for your life? How can you take baby steps to get closer to your goals?

Choose to take responsibility for your responses to the world – and watch the world open up. We aren’t saying it’s easy to have and maintain this mindset – it’s not. But in our work as family and divorce attorneys, we witness firsthand what a difference someone’s outlook makes. Everyone in a divorce or family law matter faces challenges. It’s how they choose to react to those challenges that makes all the difference. Divorce can either be a tragedy or a transformation – it’s up to each individual to decide which to make it. We help our clients navigate challenging times, and then get to watch them create the lives they have always wanted to live.

This is the inspiration behind our Play All In Scholarship. We want to learn from the younger members of our community how you can choose to change and make a bigger life.

In 750-1000 words, we ask students to describe a time in their life when things were moving in a direction they didn’t want, and they decided to change – when they viewed a situation as not a problem but an opportunity. Explain the factors that led to their decision, the obstacles they faced, and the lessons they learned. In addition, we ask them to explain if the following statement is correct and why: “We believe that we can either decide how we want to live, or let life happen to us.”

Applications for the scholarship must be submitted before December 31, 2023. After receiving all submissions, they will be evaluated, and the most deserving candidate will be awarded $2,500.

Eligibility

Applicants can be any high school senior, vocational student, college student, or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and will be enrolled in a two- to four-year post-secondary institution in the spring of 2024.
Employees of Freed Marcroft, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same households of such individuals (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the competition.
Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in strong academic standing.
Preference may be given to students who are either from or enrolled in a secondary school in Connecticut.

Application Requirements

The candidate must submit a 750 to 1000-word essay response to the prompt:
- Describe a time in your life when things were moving in a direction you didn’t want, and you decided to make a change. Explain the factors that led to your decision, any obstacles you faced, and what you learned. In addition, please explain if you agree with this statement and why: “We believe that we can either decide how we want to live, or let life happen to us.”
The candidate must submit a professional resumé that lists their professional and academic experience.
The candidate must submit a transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school and the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students must also submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.

Application Deadline and Instructions:

To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must email their full application (i.e., your essay, resumé, and transcripts) to in**@fr***********.com by December 31, 2023. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered.

Scholarship applications should be sent with the subject line “Freed Marcroft – 2023 Play All In Scholarship Application.”

Please send any questions to in**@fr***********.com as well.