This scholarship will be available to college-bound high school seniors from Hampton Roads. We anticipate making our decisions by June 15, 2023, and the scholarship money will be sent directly to the college or university at which the student has been accepted for the Summer or Fall 2022 session. A reception will be held in June for each winner and their surviving parent. For more information regarding this scholarship application, please see below.
To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must:
1. Be seniors enrolled in a public or private high school in the Hampton Roads cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Franklin, Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of White, Newport News, Poquoson, Southampton or Portsmouth;
2. Be accepted to an undergraduate curriculum at a 2 or 4 year college or university as a full time student and have proof of that acceptance;
3. Have lost a parent or legal guardian to cancer;
4. Show interest in their pursuit of personal excellence;
5. Show interest in service and compassion for others vis a vis their school-based activities, community service activities, or work-related activities;
6. Submit their resumé along with two letters of recommendation from the following list of possibilities (letters from individuals having 2 different roles in the life of the applicant is preferred): teacher, guidance counselor, coach, clergy, mentor or work supervisor (NOTE: letters of reference may NOT be submitted by family members);
7. Submit an essay of no more than 500 words describing the circumstances around the loss of the parent or legal guardian to cancer, the impact on the family, and the way in which the applicant has shown exceptional character in his or her daily life, specifically deep caring and compassion for others as well as ongoing dedication to personal excellence;
8. Agree to a face-to-face interview by the scholarship committee if requested;
9. Submit to any and all verification procedures that the committee deems necessary;
10. Agree to provide feedback to the committee about the benefit this scholarship has had on their pursuit of higher education, if awarded.
The following process must be followed by applicants:
1. Fill out the scholarship application (including essay as instructed above, photocopied letter of acceptance to a 2 or 4 year college or university, and resumé). Applications are due by 11:59 PM on 5/31/2023.
2. Solicit 2 letters of recommendation as outlined above. Please make sure these letters are submitted by the person you have chosen to write your recommendations by 11:59 PM on 5/31/2023. (NOTE: There will be more information on how to do this on the application form.)
3. If the scholarship committee deems it necessary, a face to face interview may be required. The applicant will be notified by phone if this is the case.
4. Applicants will be judged on their application, essay, the way in which they have shown care and compassion in school, community or work environment, and their dedication to personal excellence.
If you wish to apply for the Kendra Ruestow Atherton Memorial Scholarship for Hampton Roads high-school graduates, it can be found here.
Our board reviews these applications and votes on the best eligible candidates to be awarded based on their commitment to excellence, service and passion for others, and exceptional character.
If you have additional questions regarding this scholarship, please contact Hunter Atherton at hunter@athertoncd.com.
