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SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
The Fund awards to qualifying Lima Shawnee High School Seniors Alumni Legacy Scholarships and Named Scholarships. Alumni Legacy Scholarships encompass four broad areas of study: Arts and Humanities; Business/Vocational; Education; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Named Scholarships are determined by individual donors, subject to the review and approval by the Scholarship Committee and based upon submitted applications.
Award recipients are decided by a volunteer Scholarship Committee comprised of selected donors and representatives of Shawnee Local Schools and the Lima Community Foundation.
Alumni Legacy Scholarships are given to deserving Shawnee High School graduates under the following criteria:
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be accepted into an accredited college, university, or vocational program.
Students must exhibit fairness, honesty, a respect for the rights of others, and show community involvement.
Financial need is a considered priority, but not a necessity, for a scholarship award.
Criteria for Named Scholarships may be more or less restrictive, depending upon the wishes of the donor and subject to approval of the Scholarship Committee. It is important that all students interested in receiving consideration for a scholarship review the applications closely. They may also want to talk with their assigned SHS counselor.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Welcome to the Application process for the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund. We have tried to provide all the information you should need but please feel free to ask any questions you may have by contacting the SHS counseling office or you may send an email to info@LimaShawneeScholarshipFund.org.
GENERAL INFORMATION
In 1927 the first class of fourteen students graduated from Shawnee High School. Since that day, thousands of young people have joined that original class as Shawnee High School graduates. The Shawnee Class of 2026-2027 will be the 100th graduating class. To highlight and acknowledge this 100 years of education excellence the Lima Shawnee Scholarship Fund was created.
Especially meaningful, this fund was established in 2019 by individual alumni, Shawnee families and community members who care deeply about Shawnee High School and its students. Scholarships granted by the fund are available to SHS graduating seniors, who submit complete application requirements and are selected through the review process. All areas of educational interest, vocational training, academic study and majors will be considered.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
The number of scholarships and amount of each scholarship awarded depends upon the eligible applicants and the funds available.
Each applicant may apply for multiple scholarship for which they are qualified and eligible.
Applicants will not automatically be considered for all scholarships. Each applicant needs to indicate the scholarships for which they wish to apply.
Do not hesitate to submit an application because you are not sure that you qualify - please discuss this with an SHS counselor.
The Personal Statement/Essay allows you to tell us more about yourself. Talk about your life experiences, your goals and your dreams. (See the additional information provided for assistance with your Personal Statement).
WHAT SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR 2024?
ALUMNI LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Shawnee Alumni Legacy General Scholarships are available to all SHS graduating seniors.
Requirements: All scholarships require completion and submission of the Scholarship Application.
Funding & Distribution: Four $1,000 scholarships will be granted. All areas of study and training will be considered.
NAMED ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
Students who are eligible for Alumni-Legacy scholarships may also be eligible to receive a Named Scholarship. These scholarships are established by donors who care deeply about Shawnee High School and its students.
A Named Scholarship can establish a direct connection between you and the donor; most donors welcome the opportunity to meet or correspond with the students who receive their awards.
The application for Named Scholarships requires completing the general application process. Any additional requirements are listed under each of the specific scholarships.
Funding & Distribution: Scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 will be granted. Specific areas of study and training may be required.
LIST OF NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS
(alphabetical order)
THE THOMAS AND CAROLYN FRAIL FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
This $2,000 scholarship was created by the family of Thomas and Carolyn Frail as a lasting legacy and memorial tribute to honor the exemplary and selfless way they lived their live serving their family, their friends, and their community. Tom Frail was a teacher, coach, and athletic director at Shawnee before retiring in 1986. He was inducted into the Shawnee High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
THE STEVEN J. GORDON SCHOLARSHIP
This $2,000 scholarship, established in 2022, is designed to honor a graduating senior who has demonstrated a real commitment to making Shawnee a better place through leadership and participation in school activities. Please include in your essay what you have done to make the school better for students who will follow you.
THE RON HUBER SCHOLARSHIP
This $2,000 scholarship, established in 2024, honors Ron Huber - a teacher, coach and administrator who dedicated over thirty years to improving the lives of Shawnee High School students.
Ron began his association with SHS in 1967. Over the next thirty years he was a Social Studies teacher, tennis coach, and assistant principal before retiring in 1998. In 1990, Ron was named Ohio History Teacher of the year.
THE KIRK FAMILY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Created by donor Everett "Butch" Kirk III, this endowed scholarship will provide a $2,000 grant to a graduating senior interested in pursuing an education in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics Shawnee Local Schools. Requirements: The requirements for this scholarship are the same as the Alumni-Legacy Scholarship process and application.
THE KEITH AND DEBORAH WANDELL SCHOLARSHIP
The Keith and Deborah Wandell Scholarship, established in 2020, is available to all SHS graduating seniors.
Requirements: The requirements for this scholarship are the same as the Alumni-Legacy Scholarship process and application.
Funding & Distribution: The scholarship will be an individual grant in the amount of $4,000.
THE ZARZAR FAMILY AND PORTMANN FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
The Zarzar-Portmann Scholarship, established in 2021, is available to all SHS graduating seniors. In addition to the standard application and process, the personal essay should include the student's desire to study the sciences with the intended purpose/goal to pursue a career in Medicine or Nursing. Funding & Distribution: The scholarship will be an individual grant in the amount of $5,000.
PERSONAL STATEMENT/ESSAY
A personal statement is a short personal essay that you need to write for your scholarship application. The personal statement is one of the only parts of the application where the people reviewing your application get to hear directly from you. It’s their opportunity to see what has shaped and inspired the person you are today.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT?
It tells something about you that is not seen in other parts of the application
It helps to demonstrate your potential
It gives the reader an idea of who you are
It is free of spelling and grammar mistakes
TIPS FOR WRITING A PERSONAL STATEMENT
Writing a personal statement takes some time and effort. Start early to give yourself time to write the best personal statement.
Use your own voice so your statement sounds like you and communicates who you are.
Start with a strong introduction and hook the reader from the very beginning.
Start over if an idea isn’t working. If your first idea isn’t working don’t force it to be the topic, just start over.
Don’t be afraid to edit and revise.
Let trusted others provide feedback
Don’t get stuck on the “right” topic. There is no right topic.
EXAMPLE IDEAS FOR YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
Has there been a time when you have had a long cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
Tell the reader how you made Shawnee a better place for future students. How might that help you reach your future goals?
Application Process: Programs
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