Katherine Elizabeth “Katie” Dobroczynski was only 10 years old when she passed away in 2013. A Southington resident, she was an active member of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs and she loved to swim, fish with her dad and play golf at Hawk’s Landing Country Club. To honor her memory, the Katherine Dobroczynski Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at Main Street Community Foundation in 2014 with initial donations from the coworkers of Katie’s mother, Christina Dobroczynski. It has grown through additional donations from family, friends and the community so that the scholarship is now a permanent legacy. The first award will be granted this spring, the year Katie would have graduated from Southington High School.

Preference will be given to current members of the Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs as Katie was a proud member who participated in numerous before and after school programs there. Applicants must be pursuing studies in the area of neuroscience, veterinary medicine or elementary education.

“Katie had epilepsy, a neurological condition,” said Christina as she discussed the reasoning for the scholarship criteria. “But Katie had a passion for animals and wanted to be a veterinarian. She also loved kids and had a gift for connecting with them. We want to help students who possess the same qualities Katie did and continue her legacy.”

To view all eligibility criteria and requirements, and to apply for the scholarship, visit MSCFScholarships.CommunityForce.com and search for the Katherine Dobroczynski Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Anyone interested in making a contribution to the Katherine Dobroczynski Memorial Scholarship Fund may do so at any time by donating online or by sending donations to Main Street Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2702, Bristol, CT 06010.