The Scottsdale Charros have a long history of supporting Scottsdale’s youth through scholarships, grants, and other education-based initiatives. The Scottsdale Champion scholarship is designed to recognize one male and one female Scottsdale resident who have demonstrated superior achievement in high school. Attending an SUSD public school is not a requirement to receive this scholarship.
Prospective candidates will have exemplary grades, involvement in campus and/or civic life and excelled in extra-curricular activities during their high school career, including, but not limited to athletics, drama, academic endeavors and pursuits, student government, music and the arts, etc. The Charros wish to award these hard working and talented students who we hope will bring promise and fuel the bright future of the City of Scottsdale.
Two scholarship recipients will be awarded a one-time scholarship of $2,500 each, which may be used for the following:
- Tuition and fees at a four-year university or community college of their choice.
- Room and board expenses.
- The cost of books and educational supplies required for a course of study.
- Miscellaneous living and school expenses, such as parking fees, technology, etc.
All scholarship recipients must meet the qualifications outlined in the following scholarship application. Completed applications must be submitted to The Charro Foundation by January 27, 2023. Incomplete applications will not be considered for scholarship funding.
The scholarship recipient will be notified in March 2023, after the application review and assessment process is complete. Recipient will be honored at our Scottsdale Charros Education Awards event on April 21, 2023.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U. S. citizen and legal resident of the State of Arizona and the City of Scottsdale as well as a graduating high school senior.
- Have no less than a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school academic subjects.
Your application will consist of the following elements:
- Applicant Information Form: provides basic applicant information and also provides an opportunity to list your accomplishments and tell the selection committee about your interests.
- Applicant Essay: 500-word essay addressing the following: “How living in Scottsdale has shaped your future plans and how you can be a champion of Scottsdale in the future.” High consideration is given to this essay when choosing a scholarship recipient.
- Teacher/Professional Reference: Must be downloaded, completed by a teacher and uploaded with your application or emailed directly to sarah@charros.com. We ask for a recommendation from one of your classroom teachers. You will want to select a teacher who best knows your performance and capabilities and can effectively and fairly assess your potential as a scholar.
Selection Process
An initial review of applications will be made by the Scottsdale Charros and staff. Completed and qualified applications will then be assessed by a review panel on the basis of the student’s overall record of achievements and activities; together with an appraisal of the qualities of intellect and character by student-selected reference. We also consider the list of school and community experiences you submit as part of your application. We look for sustained interest as well as diversity. It is insufficient to “load up” on school organizations in the senior year, for example. The key for us is persistence, and an indication from you as to which activities are most meaningful.
For example, many scholars have well-developed musical talent or other artistic skills, though they may not aspire to be professional musicians or artists. We value knowing of this interest and the level of mastery. Attainment in athletics is similarly valued.
We also look for evidence of leadership in your election or appointment to important school offices, school and community awards received, etc. Initiatives in organizing church or community volunteer projects are also important to us. Some students have carried a demanding academic load as well as held a part-time job through school. In these instances, we like to learn why the student chose to work and how these demands on time are balanced.
A student’s high school academic record — grades, types of courses taken, grade trends — towers above all other factors in the application review process. In assessing academic performance, we ask ourselves one overriding question: “How well has this student utilized the academic resources available in the school and community.” We examine the high school transcript, paying close attention to the scope and rigor of the academic program. In considering test scores, we use the highest score an applicant has received on any given test regard-less of the year the test was taken.
Candidates will be considered without consideration of race, gender, color, religion, physical handicap, age and national origin.
If you have any questions about this scholarship, please call the Scottsdale Charros office at (480) 990-2977.