Friends of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, an independent nonprofit organization that expands opportunities at the city’s public high school, has committed to present $71,750 in scholarships this spring. This amount, an increase of $16,250 above the scholarship total last year, has been made possible by hundreds of donors and sponsors. The 47 awards range from $500 to $5,000.

The scholarships have a variety of criteria, including commitment to specific subjects, career fields, volunteer work and extracurricular activities, as well as cultures, family backgrounds and being first-generation college students. Financial need is a requirement for most of the scholarships, though some reward outstanding academic achievement combined with extensive community service. Most applications require personal essays.

Seniors must apply for nearly all by Feb. 26 using the scholarship system on the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School website, crls.cpsd.us. The Charlene Holmes Memorial Awards, established in honor of a beloved member of the high school’s Class of 2014 who lost her life in a 2012 drive-by shooting, are given to students – nominated by teachers, guidance counselors, and other CRLS staff members – who have shown caring toward their peers and are planning to pursue professional careers. The Calvin Hicks Memorial Award for the Study of Music, which may be awarded to a student at any stage in their musical progress, is the one scholarship the nonprofit presents that may go to a ninth-, 10th-, 11th- or 12th-grader.

The nonprofit has added seven scholarships to its roster for 2021, with four new sponsors plus an expansion of awards specific to the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Members of the Cambridge business community who would like to support students preparing to make a positive impact on the future through those areas can donate to the “100 by 100” Cambridge Business Community STEAM Scholarships fund.

Marc Levy, Cambridge Day’s editor and publisher, reached out to establish the Cambridge Day Sue Reinert Scholarship for Journalism. Tutoring Plus, an organization that provides volunteer tutors and mentors to Cambridge students, is offering a scholarship for a senior who has benefited from its academic services. They join returning sponsors CambridgeSeven, Cambridge Trust, Fresh Start Contracting, The New York Community Trust and Philips North America. DivcoWest, an annual donor as a Spring Bash sponsor, has already stepped forward with support knowing the pandemic will override the gala for the second consecutive spring.

Also new this year, the Zagarella family is honoring the memory of John D. Zagarella Sr. with two scholarships that may be used for either college or trade school by recipients who have played sports and overcome obstacles. Richard G. Gilreath is honoring the memory of Richard S. Gilreath with scholarships for members of the CRLS track and cross-country community. Ongoing sponsors include the Gardner family; Calvin Hicks’ family and friends; Juliette Kayyem and David Barron; John P. (Jack) Leydon and family; David A. Link, M.D., and family, friends and colleagues; Rose and Victor Rifkin’s friends, family and descendants; Neil B. Rosenburg; Mary Tavares Sutula and family; and basketball superstar Patrick Ewing, who graduated from CRLS in 1981.

To learn more about Friends of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School’s scholarship program, join the “100 by 100,” donate, become a sponsor or establish a scholarship, please visit focrls.org or email [email protected]. FOCRLS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

This post was updated Feb. 16, 2021, with additional information from Friends of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School.