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Submissions: Submit this attached Google Form, along with attaching the required documents, no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 2026
Interviews: Interviews will be held on your campus up to 2 weeks after the submission deadline. Information will be emailed out to applicants.
Recognition: Students will be recognized and receiving their award on Marissa's Birthday, May 14th, 2026, along with possible recognition at their schools senior award ceremony.
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to advocating for underserved youth along with the following:
Must Attend School in the Morgan Hill School District or must attend Opportunity Youth Academy
Must be an expected graduate in the 2026 school year
Show a passion for standing up for others — especially those who are underrepresented or ignored
Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
Transcripts must be submitted as part of the application package.
Submit a reflective response (max 350 words) answering two of the scholarship prompts. (see list below)
Must be available the evening of May 14th, 2026
OPTIONAL: Students are able to attach up to 2 letters of recommendation
We encourage students to take their time and reflect deeply when completing these writing prompts. We are genuinely excited to hear your story—how you became the person you are today and how you hope to make a difference in the future. This is your opportunity to share your struggles, your triumphs, and the experiences that have shaped you. Nothing you find meaningful will be overlooked; every insight you share matters to us.
We also welcome examples of how you have stood up for others, advocated for your peers, or contributed to your community—big or small, your actions make an impact.
Applicants are required to answer at least 2 of the 6 questions and keep each of their responses to a maximum of 350 words. Use this space to be thoughtful, honest, and authentic—your story is important, and we want to hear it.
1. Domestic Violence Awareness or Experience: Domestic violence often goes unseen and unheard, especially among youth. Please share your story—whether it’s experiences you’ve faced personally, or times you’ve supported a friend or peer—and describe how you have raised awareness or taken action in your school or community. What challenges did you encounter, how did you overcome them, and what impact were you hoping to create?
1. Domestic Violence Awareness or Experience: Domestic violence often goes unseen and unheard, especially among youth. Please share your story—whether it’s experiences you’ve faced personally, or times you’ve supported a friend or peer—and describe how you have raised awareness or taken action in your school or community. What challenges did you encounter, how did you overcome them, and what impact were you hoping to create?
2. Personal Hardship & Resilience: Please share a personal challenge or hardship you faced growing up—such as family instability, foster care, exposure to violence, food insecurity, or emotional struggles. How did this experience shape your goals, values, resilience, or desire to help others?
2. Personal Hardship & Resilience: Please share a personal challenge or hardship you faced growing up—such as family instability, foster care, exposure to violence, food insecurity, or emotional struggles. How did this experience shape your goals, values, resilience, or desire to help others?
3. Meaning & Reflection of Advocacy: What does it mean to you to advocate for someone who cannot speak up for themselves? Share a specific situation where you did this and explain what it taught you about courage, responsibility, compassion, or leadership.
3. Meaning & Reflection of Advocacy: What does it mean to you to advocate for someone who cannot speak up for themselves? Share a specific situation where you did this and explain what it taught you about courage, responsibility, compassion, or leadership.
4. Advocacy & Leadership Action: Describe a time when you used your voice, leadership, or personal experience to support someone else, address an important issue, or create positive change. What did you do, and what impact did it have on those involved and on you?
4. Advocacy & Leadership Action: Describe a time when you used your voice, leadership, or personal experience to support someone else, address an important issue, or create positive change. What did you do, and what impact did it have on those involved and on you?
5. Forward-Looking Advocacy & Systemic Change: If given the opportunity, what issue affecting youth in your community would you address, and how would you create meaningful change? What inspires your vision, and why is this issue personal to you?
5. Forward-Looking Advocacy & Systemic Change: If given the opportunity, what issue affecting youth in your community would you address, and how would you create meaningful change? What inspires your vision, and why is this issue personal to you?
6. Why You Represent Our Mission: Our mission is to honor young people who continue to work hard, stay compassionate, and rise above difficult or unfair circumstances. Explain why you believe you represent this mission and what qualities, growth, or lived experiences make you a strong candidate for this scholarship.
6. Why You Represent Our Mission: Our mission is to honor young people who continue to work hard, stay compassionate, and rise above difficult or unfair circumstances. Explain why you believe you represent this mission and what qualities, growth, or lived experiences make you a strong candidate for this scholarship.
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