Who was Megan?

Megan Leah Kleczka was a beautiful, smart, promising, and extraordinary
young woman who passed away on April 27th, 2007 due to injuries
sustained in a car accident.  We (her friends and family) were blessed with
her presence for 20 short years, and our world is so much better for having
known her.  "A ray of sunshine" is how many people described her.

Megan saw the best in everyone and found ways to make people recognize the
best in themselves also.  She had a way of making people feel comfortable in
their own skin, whether they were friends she held close to her heart, the
younger people she mentored, or simply anyone who had the privilege of
confiding in her.  

Megan's legacy does not lie simply in her individual relationships, though.  
At the age of 20, she had a focus, drive, and sense of purpose that eludes
many people twice her age. She was passionately involved in many causes
and had already begun to make a change in the world.

Two days before her death, she visited the Connecticut State Capitol in
support of a bill that would guarantee medical and legal protection to victims
of sexual assault. On the day of her funeral, we found out that the bill passed
and we were so proud of her contribution.  

This is one small example of her activism and passion for issues related to
women's health and safety, equality, and justice.  Megan envisioned a world
in which every man and woman were in control of their biological destiny,
and consequently their economic destiny.   

Megan's friends, family, and I (Sarah) have been working to build my sister's
memorial scholarship fund - The Megan L. Kleczka Endowed Scholarship at
Eastern Connecticut State University.   We recently surpassed our
fundraising goal of $10,000 - the amount required to create this endowment.
 I am so proud that Megan's name will continue to be spoken for generations
to come.  We are currently shifting the focus of this website from fundraising
to an in-depth tribute to Megan's life.   Check back in the next few weeks for
our new website!   Click below to bookmark us - because you might not
remember how to spell "Kleczka"!  
The Megan L. Kleczka Memorial Endowed Scholarship

The Megan L. Kleczka Endowed Scholarship was established as the result of
tireless fundraising by Megan's loved ones - primarily during the summer of
2008.   On August 24th, 2008, a final contribution from the Good News
Theatre Company allowed us to meet and exceed our fundraising goal of
$10,000.  For more about The Good News Theatre Company and the
production that generated their donation, please see our "Godspell" tab.  
For more about the Eastern Connecticut Sate University Foundation, please
see our "Contact Us" tab.   Details of the scholarship criteria appear to the  
right and in our "Community" tab.

The Megan L. Kleczka Memorial Scholarship will be awarded for the first
time in the spring of 2009 for use during the Fall 2009 semester.  It will be
awarded annually thereafter without end.  The principal is never depleted,
and Megan's legacy will affect generations to come.  It is a tremendous
comfort to Megan's loved to acheive this goal, and we would like to extend
a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped with time, money, or other
resources.  
We would like to thank these local and
national  businesses for their support
during our fundraising process:
Megan Kleczka
The Retreat Day Spa of Putnam, CT

Kristie Serra Photography of Tampa Bay, FL
            krisiteserraphoto.com

 The Flying Carpet Studio in Woodstock, CT

 Town Line Sugarhouse in Eastford, CT

 McCurdy Insurance in Sturbridge, MA

 Dunkin' Donuts of Keene, NH.

  Numerous other businesses who have contributed to       
Godspell (specific thanks in the Godspell program).

 All local businesses that posted our flyer or allowed
advertising.
Remembering an Extraordinary Girl
To donate any additional amount:
The scholarship fund was not closed for donations when the endowment was
created.  If you would still like to contribute to Megan's legacy, please visit our
Firstgiving page, or contact ECSU directly.   For more information about
Firstgiving, see our "Contact Us" tab.  To visit our fundraising page, click on the
Firstgiving graphic.
Bookmark and Share
The following criteria has been established for the selection of
the annual recipient of the Megan L. Kleczka Endowed Scholarship:

The recipient(s) must be a full-time student at Eastern
Connecticut State University in good academic standing and
committed to women’s social issues, for example:  sexual
health education, sexual assault services and/or
reproductive justice.  Preference will be given to a student in
the field of women’s studies, social work or sociology with
financial need