Each year, the Optimist Club of St. Paul petitions all high schools within St. Paul, public and private, to identify and submit applications for students who have succeeded academically and civically in the face of adversity. Applications have 5 key components: General Characteristics, Academic Achievement, Adversity Faced, Extracurricular Activities and Community Service.

Adversity could be economic, familial or from disability.
The applications are judged individually by a minimum of 6 judges, and the top 15 are invited to attend a recognition dinner along with family members and a school representative.
At the dinner, each student is introduced, and asked a question about an area of interest they have expressed. This brief answer provides the audience an opportunity to witness the extraordinary recipients of the scholarships.

Timing:

September: Applications sought
October: Winners announced
November: Recognition Event

For more questions, please contact john.h.tillotson@smithbarney.com

St. Paul Friend of Youth Foundation Honoring Acheivement in the Face of Adversity, and Supporting Higher Education