Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award and Fund

The Ralph J. Monaco Memorial
Civics Education Award

Nominations for the 2025 Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award must have been submitted by Friday, April 4, 2025 to be considered for the 2025 award. Selected recipients must be available to attend the May 2, 2025 Law Day Celebrations, to be held in the Connecticut Appellate Courthouse in Hartford.

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 2025 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.

Ralph J. Monaco, the CBA's 87th president, passed away on Saturday, July 10, 2021. Attorney Monaco served as president during the 2010-2011 bar year, and was, at the time of his service, the second youngest president in the history of the CBA. He was a dedicated member of the CBA, leading numerous important initiatives, before, during, and after his service as president. Attorney Monaco was a partner at Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco in New London, Connecticut and was renowned for his skill as a trial lawyer. He was a true role model for many within the profession, and always exhibited the highest levels of professionalism and civility. His untimely passing was a shock to the Connecticut legal community, and a tragic loss to the CBA.

Attorney Monaco’s record of service and leadership to the legal profession is truly inspiring. He was always willing to answer the call to service, and led highly effective CBA initiatives focused on the most pressing issues of our times. Attorney Monaco was a champion of civics education, revitalizing the Civics Education Committee, on which he served as a co-chair and member for many years thereafter. He was also instrumental in the efforts to create the CBA Paralegal Section. Attorney Monaco served as co-chair of both the Rule of Law Committee and of the Financial Impact on the Legal Profession Subcommittee of the COVID-19 Task Force, which provided much-needed information, resources, and advocacy for the profession at the height of the pandemic. Additionally, he served as the legislative liaison of the Litigation Section. He previously served as chair of the Opioid Taskforce, as a member of the House of Delegates and Board of Governors, and as chair of the Young Lawyers Section.

Attorney Monaco was a pillar of his community, dedicating his service to many boards and charitable causes. He was a devoted and proud husband and father, and his memory and legacy are carried on by his wife Dina, and his daughters Abby and Anna.

Past Ralph J. Monaco
Memorial Civics Education Award Winners

2024

Mario Cavone
Wilton High School
Uzoma Chukwarah
Hartford Classical Magnet School
Danielle Kanter
Fairfield Ludlowe High School

2023

William Barry
Old Lyme High School
Isabella Saraco
Mercy High School
Jay Zimmerman
Waterford High School

2022

Ava Cunningham
Valley Regional High School
James DeDenato
Xavier High School
Mel Shkrepi
Thomaston High School

Ralph J. Monaco
Memorial Civics Education Award News

CBA Celebrates Law Day 2024
Monday, May 6, 2024

The CBA Civics Education Committee held its annual Law Day Celebration at the Connecticut Appellate Court in Hartford on May 2. Law Day is a national celebration held annually to celebrate the role of law in our society and to help encourage a deeper understanding of the legal profession. The Law Day event also included the presentation of the 2024 Ralph J. Monaco Civics Education awards.
CBA Celebrates Law Day 2023
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

The CBA Civics Education Committee held its annual Law Day Celebration at the Connecticut Appellate Court in Hartford on May 5. Law Day is a national celebration held annually to celebrate the role of law in our society and to help encourage a deeper understanding of the legal profession. The Law Day event also included the presentation of the 2023 Ralph J. Monaco Civics Education awards.
CBA Celebrates Law Day 2022
Tuesday, May 17, 2022

The CBA Civics Education Committee held its annual Law Day celebration at the Connecticut Appellate Court in Hartford on May 6. This year’s Law Day Celebration was the first held in-person since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s event also included the inaugural presentation of the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award.

The Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Fund

The Connecticut Bar Institute ("CTBI") established the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Fund (“Monaco Memorial Fund”). The CTBI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the CTBI is to offer continuing legal education to Connecticut lawyers and the public, to provide scholarly legal publications, and to provide community outreach.

The Monaco Memorial Fund is a designated fund at the CTBI. The sole purpose of the Monaco Memorial Fund is to provide funding for the monetary grants accompanying the Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Civics Education Award. The full principal of the Monaco Memorial Fund shall be available for that purpose.

Make a Donation

If you prefer to make a donation by mail please follow the instructions on the form below.

Mail Donation Form

Fund Contributers

The Ralph J. Monaco Memorial Awards Committee

Livia DeFilippis Barndollar

Raeann Bromark

Daniel J. Horgan

Lina Lee

Dina Monaco

Lawrence Morizio

Daniel A. Schwartz

James T. (Tim) Shearin

Jonathan Weiner