Keegan Wahler Memorial Scholarship Electronic Application

Application Guidelines
     The Keegan Wahler Memorial Scholarship Association offers scholarships to high school seniors of the Pleasanton Unified School District who have been accepted at accredited universities, colleges, junior colleges, vocational/trade schools and the like. Each scholarship will be a minimum of $500.

Application Process
1. Complete the application at the bottom of this page.

2. Write a one to three page essay describing a major challenge or hardship that you have been faced with in your life and have overcome, or largely overcome. Talk at some length about what this hardship has meant to you in your life. How has it thwarted you in achieving your goals? What negative feelings and outcomes did it create in you and the people around you? And, what has given you inspiration to continue to challenge it? How far do you think you have progressed in overcoming it, and how much more do you have to go? It is not a prerequisite that you have totally overcome this hardship: some challenges last a lifetime. What steps and issues will be important in continuing to master this challenge? What are your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve, and what kind of person do you want to be? Alternatively, you may submit a video, audio, or multimedia presentation on VHS tape, CD ROM or audio cassette tape in lieu of a written essay. It should communicate the same information as the essay: Who are you as a person? What has been your hardship? How have you beaten the odds? And where is your life heading?

3. Submit your essay or multimedia story no later than April 1st, but not before February 2nd. This website will not accept applications submitted after April 1st, so if a truely extenuating circumstance will or may create a problem in meeting this deadline, be sure to email us as soon as possible to make arrangements. Essays are to be included in this form. These essays and presentations will be read, in confidence, only by the selection committee of the Keegan Wahler Memorial Scholarship Association and will not be shared with anyone else without your permission. If you choose to submit a multimedia story you should still submit this form electronically and then submit the presentation to your school's councelling office (indicate that you have done this on the hardship essay page). Multimedia presentations should be labeled with your name, school, date and name of our scholarship association (so that the school knows who it goes to).

     Past scholarship winners have faced such issues as life threatening illnesses, learning disabilities, severe monetary hardships, drug and alcohol abuse, family problems, major illness in the family, death of a parent or sibling, etc. Types of hardships that would generally not be considered appropriate for this scholarship would include not making the cheerleading team, not being allowed to take as many AP classes as you think you could handle, having run a marathon, etc. A good test of your essay is to have a trusted friend or two read it, and if it brings tears to their eyes or warmth to their hearts, you're on the right track. Your story should be very gripping and compelling. Perhaps you need some help writing it: formulating your theme, or checking your spelling and grammar to make sure those things don't distract the reader from your story. It is OK to get help from your English teacher, parent, or guidance counselor, but of course they cannot write it for you, it must be your own work. The application is to be submitted electronically at www.keeganfund.org/apply.

     If you have any questions about this application procedure you may submit them by email to keeganfund@comcast.net and they will be answered as quickly as possible.

     If you have previously submitted an application, and would like to amend the information in our files, please follow this link to edit said information.

Please read the statement below and check one of the following options to digitally sign this application.
A written signature form will be sent to those who are to be interviewed.

     I certify that the information provided on this application and required attachment(s) is correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that false information will be considered grounds for immediate withdrawal from all consideration for this scholarship. I understand that all information submitted becomes the property of this Association. The information is confidential and will be used in accordance with government regulations.

May we use your essay for promotional purposes?
     I certify the above statement, and I authorize the Keegan Waher Memorial Scholarship Association to tell my story publicly as an example of an outstanding scholarship recipient.
     I certify the above statement, but due to the sensitive nature of my story, I authorize the Keegan Wahler Memorial Scholarship Association to publicize only my name, my school, and the amount of my scholarship.