John Rich Curran Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund was established in 2005 by the family and friends of John Rich Curran to recognize outstanding graduating seniors from Schuylkill County high schools. John was born in Pottsville in 1955. He was a graduate of Boston University and Antiioch School of Law in Washington, D.C. John planned to work as a public defender in Pennsylvania in an effort to help those who were less fortunate than he was. But this was not to be. Six weeks after his admission to the Pennsylvania Bar, he was in an automobile accident that took his life. According to his family, John valued life and all of its possibilities. Were he alive today, he would encourage young people to take risks in life and not always do the safe or easy thing, but to do what you think is right. He used his education to be a better person and make informed decisions. He would encourage the recipients of this scholarship to do all they can to make their corner of the world a better place.

The fund will provide multi-year scholarships to current seniors graduating from Schuylkill County high schools. Applicants must have a financial need and intend to be furthering their education after high school in a four-year program at a four-year college or university. Applicants must have a cumulative B average (3.0) or better in high school in order to apply. This scholarship will be available to the students at a select group of the 13 schools each year, on a rotating basis. The rotation of eligible schools will be as follows:

2023/2026/2029: Pine Grove Area, Schuylkill Haven, Tamaqua Area, Williams Valley, Marian

2024/2027/2030: Blue Mountain, Mahanoy Area, North Schuylkill, Nativity B.V.M.

2025/2028/2031: Minersville Area, Pottsville Area, Shenandoah Valley, Tri-Valley

This process will repeat in that order on an ongoing basis.