Investing in the makers and creators of Tomorrow
About the Scholarship
Fresh Connections Laundry and Learning Center is a community space in the making — a place built on the belief that every person's path deserves support and celebration. The Fresh Connections Trades Scholarship was created to honor students who are choosing the trades — the hands-on, skilled careers that build our businesses, homes, care for our communities, style our hair, fix our cars, and keep our world running.
Choosing a trade takes courage, clarity, and real skill. Not every student who makes this choice gets celebrated for it the way they deserve. This scholarship is our way of saying: we see you, we believe in you, and we are proud to invest in your future.
This scholarship is proudly funded by Fresh Connections Laundry and Learning Center — a small, woman-owned community business on South Potomac Street that believes in investing in the young people of this neighborhood.
Award
$500 toward tuition, fees, tools, uniforms, or supplies for an accredited trade, vocational, or certification program.
Eligibility
To apply you must:
- Be a current high school senior who resides within the South Hagerstown High School attendance zone as defined by Washington County Public Schools, regardless of which high school you currently attend. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of residency.
- Be planning to enroll in a trade, vocational, or certification program after graduation — including but not limited to construction trades, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, automotive, cosmetology, culinary arts, audio engineering, healthcare certifications, early childhood education, IT and technology, and apprenticeship programs.
- Be graduating in the current school year.
How to Apply
We believe that the best way to show us who you are is to show us what you can already do. The application has three parts:
Part 1 — Basic information - Your name, school, home address, graduation year, trade program of choice, and the name of the school or program you plan to attend.
Part 2 — Your one to two minute video - Show us something you have already done in your chosen trade. If you want to be an electrician, show us a wiring project. If you want to go to cosmetology school, show us a style you created. If you want to be a chef, show us something you cooked. If you want to be an audio engineer, share something you produced or mixed. We want to see your passion and your skill in action. Videos should be between one and two minutes. Longer videos will not be reviewed beyond the two minute mark.
Part 3 — One short answer question (250 words maximum) Why did you choose this trade, and what kind of impact do you want to have — on your family, your community, or the world — through the work you do?
There are no right or wrong answers. We want to hear your voice and your vision in your own words.
We want to hear YOUR voice. Please write this response yourself without the assistance of AI tools such as ChatGPT , Gemini. or full revisions in Grammarly. Authentic, imperfect, and genuine will beat polished and artificial. This is your chance to speak for yourself.
That said, getting help to improve your own writing is encouraged. Write a first draft and ask a friend, family member, or teacher to give you feedback before you submit. Check for complete sentences and fully expressed ideas.
Application Limit and Deadline
Applications are accepted on a first come first served basis. The first 30 complete and eligible applications received will be reviewed. Applications will also close on May 1 regardless of the number received. Submit early to ensure your application is considered.
Selection
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of community judges using a simple rubric based on clarity of career goal, quality and effort of the video, and overall passion and commitment shown in the written response. The winner will be notified privately before the public announcement.
Timeline
- Applications open: April 1
- Applications close: May 1 or when 30 applications are received — whichever comes first
- Winner announced: May 20
- Award: presented to the winner in person in June. Details will be shared with the winner directly.
Questions?
Contact Nicole at Fresh Connections: 📱 Text or call: 410-901-7155 📧 support@freshconnectionslaundry.com 🌐 freshconnectionslaundry.com