Nominations were due by April 8, 2024 to be considered for the 2024 Award. The selected recipients must be available to attend the May 2, 2024 Law Day celebrations, to be held in Hartford, Connecticut.
The CT Bar Institute (CTBI) established the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award (“Monaco Civics Award”). The Monaco Civics Award is presented annually during the Connecticut Bar Association's (CBA) Law Day Celebration. The Monaco Civics Award will be accompanied by a monetary grant, drawn from the Ralph J. Monaco Civics Education Fund.
Award Criteria: The Monaco Civics Award is awarded to either one or more current Connecticut high school students, in their junior or senior year of study, who have demonstrated a significant commitment to advancing civic engagement, civics education and/or the rule of law. Participation in extracurricular activities promoting civic engagement, civics education, and the rule of law, such as mock trial, student government, speech and debate, Model U.N., or other forensic activities and student activism shall be considered favorably.
Monetary Award: Each 2024 Monaco Civics Award will be accompanied by a $1000 monetary grant provided to the selected recipients. Amounts of such monetary grants for future years will be determined by the Awards Committee annually.
Award Committee: The Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Awards Committee (“Monaco Awards Committee”) is responsible for promoting the Monaco Civics Award; selecting the recipients of the Monaco Civics Award each year; determining, within available funds, the number and amount of Monaco Civics Awards to grant in a year; and fundraising for the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Fund.
The Monaco Awards Committee suggests that nominations be submitted by a teacher, coach, club advisor, or similarly-situated individual with personal knowledge of the nominee’s activities and commitment to civics education and the rule of law, which may be described in greater detail in the nomination form below. In the event of a self-nomination, a letter of reference from such an individual, while not required, would be helpful in the Monaco Awards Committee’s consideration of the nominee.
For questions regarding the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award please contact CBA Executive Director Keith Soressi at ksoressi@ctbar.org.