Merit Awards

The Foundation’s merit awards are are awarded annually. Some awards require a completed application and others are awarded strictly by student merit (GPA). When required, a list of qualified students is provided by a school district control point.

529 College Savings Awards $80,050 (2020-21)

In 2002 to encourage high achieving students to financially plan for college, the Foundation started a 529 College Savings Awards for 5th and 6th graders with straight A’s in their 4 core subjects. Due to a change in the Elementary level grading system the grade levels changed to 6th and 7th graders. Currently, these students are awarded $150. Additionally, there are 2 students from each middle school awarded a $500 check. These are awarded after a resumé and essay is submitted and scored by volunteers. This award is payable to a financial institute and not directly to the student. The early awards only saw a 36% deposit rate but while working with the local Credit Unions, the school district PTAs, sending reminder letters, and the creation of a College Savings workshop the deposit rate has improved to 78%. In 2021 507 students were awarded checks to start or add to a college savings.

Meet Some of Our 529 College Savings Award Recipients

Junior 4.0 $18,400 (2019-20)

This award has been part of the Foundation since its inception in 1993. In the words of the Founder, “Seniors get a lot of recognition at the end of the school year, I want juniors to be recognized and to keep up their good work.” In May 184 students were awarded $100 checks.

Scholar-Athlete Merit & Outstanding Awards $41,300 (2019-20)

The qualification for the merit award is to maintain at least a 3.5 GPA and letter in their sport in the year of the award. For the 16 Senior Outstanding Awards, the student must also complete a resumé showing team captain leadership, individual or team awards, and participation in multiple or community sports. This award starts at $125 and increases by $25 for a maximum of $500. These awards were started in 1996 by Dr. Mary’s late husband, Dr. Dal, who was both a scholar and an athlete and who personally was inspired by a similar high school award. He was valedictorian of his high school and inducted into both the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (2006 for diving) and the University of Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame (2007). The foundation continues these awards in his honor.

High School Scholarship $252,500 (2019-20)

The scholarship is restricted for a community college degree, trade school, or an adult school career certification program. Recipients were selected based on a minimum 2.5 GPA, written resumé, an essay, and a personal interview. Foundation volunteers score all essays using a robust rubric and also participate in the interview process. It is disbursed in four $625 payments and must be utilized within six-years of award date. Requirements for disbursements are initially proof of registration in a qualifying program with an equivalent of 10 units, and subsequently registration in the next semester with 10 units while maintaining a GPA of 2.5. The names of all Merit awardees are listed at the end of the school year in the local Downey paper.

Downey High School Robotics Program