EMS Captain Craig M. Arnone was an active firefighter, EMT and an aspiring paramedic student with the Somers Fire Department when he was tragically killed in the line of duty in December of 1996.  To honor his memory, the Somers Volunteer Fire Department Association offers the Craig Arnone Memorial Scholarship to eligible applicants pursuing post secondary education in a Paramedical, Medical or Public Safety program.

This $1,000 scholarship is open to any resident of Somers, Ellington, Enfield, Stafford, East Windsor, East Longmeadow, Hampden or a relative of a member of the Somers Volunteer Fire Department Association. The Scholarship is awarded to a student in any year of post secondary education providing he/she is enrolled for the school year following the award in July and has not received the award previously.

The major criterion for award is based on the student’s community involvement, in particular how the student made the community a better place to live. Academic performance will be included in the review but is of secondary importance.

The following rules govern the Craig Arnone Memorial Scholarship:

1. An eligible candidate must be a resident of Tolland County, Enfield, East Windsor, Hampden or East Longmeadow.

2. All candidates must be a High School graduate.

3. All candidates must be enrolled in a Paramedical, Medical or Public Safety program. The programs may include fire and emergency medical training.

4. The application must be completed and signed by the applicant.

5. A one or two page essay must accompany the application. The essay should describe the applicant’s community service/community involvement, high school and extracurricular activities and why the applicant deserves the scholarship.

6. The application, including the essay must be submitted or post marked by May 1st.

7. The decision of the Scholarship Committee is final.

Detailed information and application is below. Deadline is May 13, 2024.