2026 Virginia R. Rollefson Scholarship Winner: Ashley Kelly
The Rockfall Foundation is proud to recognize Ashley Kelly, recipient of this year’s Virginia R. Rollefson Environmental Leadership Scholarship, for her outstanding leadership, initiative, and commitment to advancing sustainability within her community.
About Ashley
Ashley is a senior at Haddam Killingworth High School, where she has distinguished herself as a dedicated student, athlete, and community leader. She maintains a 3.8 GPA and has completed over 475 hours of volunteer service. Ashley is actively involved in numerous extracurriculars, including serving as President of the Environmental Club, Co-Captain of the Varsity Cheerleading team, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Beyond academics, Ashley is also engaged in her community. She volunteers with Middlesex Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital, mentors younger athletes, and participates in performing arts and equestrian sports. She will attend Colby-Sawyer College to pursue a degree in nursing while continuing her involvement in equestrian athletics.
Ashley’s Environmental Project: Shoe Recycling
Through her participation in the Climate Leaders Fellowship, Ashley designed and implemented a project to divert sneakers, boots, and cleats from landfills, addressing a gap in recycling within her community.
The project included:
- Organizing and managing a community-wide shoe collection program
- Partnering with her school’s Environmental Club to collect and sort donations
- Expanding participation to all four schools in Regional School District 17, as well as local childcare centers and community members
- Outreach through school announcements, social media, and classroom presentations
- Raising awareness about the environmental impact of footwear production and disposal
The project diverted hundreds of pairs of shoes from landfills while also helping to distribute footwear to communities in need.
A Model of Environmental Leadership
Ashley’s application stood out because it clearly showed how her work made a difference, turning environmental awareness into thoughtful change. The scholarship committee selected Ashley because her project demonstrated leadership, had tangible environmental impact, engaged the community, and aligned with Rockfall’s mission.
Her work also demonstrated a strong understanding of the broader environmental context by educating peers about the lifecycle of footwear, including the resource-intensive manufacturing process and its carbon footprint. Therefore, Ashley connected local action to global climate challenges.
The Rockfall Foundation is proud to support Ashley as she continues her academic and professional journey, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in the years ahead.
About the Scholarship
The Virginia R. Rollefson Environmental Leadership Scholarship, offered by The Rockfall Foundation since 2018 recognizes outstanding contributions by a high school senior residing in the Lower Connecticut River Valley for carrying out a program, project, or activity that benefits preservation, conservation, restoration or environmental education. One $1,000 scholarship is awarded each year to a student who demonstrates leadership and initiative. Eligible students must reside in Chester, Clinton, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Killingworth, Lyme, Middlefield, Middletown, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, or Westbrook. The scholarship must be used for qualified tuition, books, room and board or supplies. To learn more about the scholarship, click here.
