Just Athlete Scholarship 2023-2024

Sports in Schools Mission

To improve the lives of under-resourced youth by increasing access and opportunities to sports in their schools.

Sports in Schools Just Athlete Scholarship Mission

To recognize, uplift and celebrate Washington State high school senior athletes for their race and social justice efforts in their communities.

Background

Since 2009, Sports In Schools has existed to support marginalized schools and address the disparities in school-based athletics. To date, we have partnered with dozens of schools, impacting thousands of students, and provided more than $1,200,000 worth of resources. Civil unrest around race and social justice issues persist and there is a heightened awareness during these unprecedented times, especially in our black and brown communities. At Sports in Schools we felt compelled to do more and in 2020 launched a scholarship program called Just Athlete. Since then we have provided $2,000 scholarships to six (6) very deserving youth, with two each in the spring of 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Why Just Athlete? 

Among many stigmas that exist in black and brown communities, is the stigma that athletics is a primary path to college and beyond. However, according to the NCAA, the harsh reality is that only 2% of high school athletes are awarded some form of athletic scholarship to compete in and attend college.

We know the path to success for black and brown student-athletes has many routes, and that they are far more than just athletes. They are amazing young people who, among other things are participating in creating a just world through the ways they embody and are involved in race and social justice efforts in their schools and communities. Our goal is to elevate and celebrate student athletes and the work they do around race and social justice.

In 2023-2024 we will again recognize two (2) senior student athletes with a $2,000 scholarship each to be used for post-secondary education expenses.

Scholarship Eligibility

• Must be a senior at a high school in the state of Washington
• Must be a participant, for at least one year, in any sport(s). This includes managers and athletic trainer interns and non-traditional school athletics
• Must have participated in a race and social justice effort in school or community
• Must plan to attend a post-secondary institution (2 or 4-year college, university, or vocational/technical school) within 2 years of graduating high school

Application Process

Applicants must complete the application, respond to essay prompts and provide two (2) references.

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from one of the two references is optional but suggested. In the instance that a recommendation letter is not submitted, the committee will contact the applicant’s references via phone or email.

The application with essay responses, along with two (2) references, must be received by the 3/15/2024 deadline.

• Essay Requirement 750 words maximum for each of the following questions:

1. What has participating in high school sports taught you about yourself?

2. What aspect(s) of race and social justice are most important to you and why?

3. In what way(s) have you engaged in anti-racism and/or social justice efforts in your school and/or community, and what have you learned from this engagement?

Applicants can complete their application online at: https://tinyurl.com/JustAthleteApplication2024

• Applicants may choose to type or handwrite their essay answering the questions above. If choosing this option, please include full name, school, sport(s), phone number, and email in the heading of the essay. If typed, essays should be 12-pt font and double-spaced. If you do not have computer, internet, or printer access, we will accept handwritten essays or texted photos of handwritten pages, but please write legibly. 

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• References Requirement (2 required)

1. Two references are required in the online application from:

• a coach or athletic director
• a race & social justice program advisor
• a teacher, a counselor or other adult mentor in your life. 
  

A Letter of Recommendation (LOR) from one of the two references is optional but suggested. In the instance that a recommendation letter is not submitted, the committee will contact the applicant’s references via phone or email.

• Letter of Recommendation (1 is optional but recommended)

There are 2 different ways a Letter of Recommendation may be submitted:

1) You can provide the LINK BELOW to individuals and ask them to complete the online form. *This is likely the easiest method for submitters.   

https://tinyurl.com/SIS-recommendation2024 

2)  A Letter of Recommendation can be sent via email or a Word document describing the recommender’s connection to you and why they recommend you for this scholarship. Letters of Recommendation should be sent to katie@sportsinschools.org by 2/29/2024.

Only complete applications (with three essay responses and two references) submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time on March 15th, 2024 will be considered.  

Note: If you do not have a phone, computer, internet, or printer access, you can also mail handwritten essays, reference names and contacts and LORs to us directly. Please ensure they arrive before the 2/29/2024 deadline. Our mailing address is:

Sports In Schools

1211 E. Denny Way, Box B1

Seattle, WA 98122

If selected for an interview, the applicant will have a virtual 30-minute interview with Sports in Schools Scholarship Committee members.

If selected as a finalist, the “Just Athlete” awardee is requested to attend our Sports in Schools annual fundraiser on May 4, 2024. Awardee will be able to invite two family members and one coach or other adult mentor as honorary guests.

Funds will be disbursed via reimbursement with a copy of receipts. Multiple receipts can be submitted. SIS will reimburse up to $2000 max of school-related expenses including but not limited to: tuition, books, room & board, equipment (laptop,accessories, etc.).

Timeline:

All questions regarding the Just Athlete Scholarship should be directed by email to katie@sportsinschools.org or via mobile at (425) 327-6006.