Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

The Kappa Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has established the Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship in honor of a dedicated member, Josie Washington. A committed educator in the Dallas public school system, Washington spent a significant portion of her career teaching at Lincoln High School. She was an active member of numerous organizations and was always ready to volunteer her services. After her passing, she left an endowment to her sorority, which the Kappa Zeta Chapter decided to use to create a scholarship fund in her memory and to honor her generosity.

Objective

The scholarship aims to recognize a high school senior who embodies the spirit of an "Unsung Hero". This student has either overcome unusual circumstances, performed humanitarian services, or carried out heroic deeds within their community, school, or through their public or religious affiliations.

Award

The recipient of the scholarship will be chosen based on the provided documentation, recommendation letters, and an interview. The winner will be announced in Spring 2025.

Eligibility

1. The applicant must be a high school senior residing in a city within the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
2. The applicant must intend to pursue further studies after high school, either at a 2-or 4-year college or an accredited technical/trade school.

The application period for the scholarship begins on November 16, 2024, and ends on January 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted. A student checklist detailing the application process and information about all available scholarships can be downloaded.

Application Process:

1. Create a Google Drive folder named First Last_24-25 KZ Scholarships (for example, Jane Doe_24-25 KZ Scholarships).
2. Adjust the share settings of your folder to allow "anyone with the link" to view it.
3. Create six (6) additional folders within the main folder and name them as follows:
4. Within the main folder, create and name six (6) additional folders as listed below and insert the corresponding documents:
   1. Official Transcript (Unweighted GPA-4.0 scale): Include a copy of your official high school transcript with rank and unweighted GPA (4.0 scale). Ensure you have requested an unweighted copy of the transcript from your counselor.
   2. Community Service/Volunteer Hours: Include a single document summarizing all community service and volunteer hours, with dates of activities and total hours calculated.
   3. Student Extracurricular Activities: Include a single document listing all extracurricular activities, awards, etc., with dates of activities.
   4. Recommendation Letters: Include two letters of recommendation from any of the following: High School Teacher/Administrator/Counselor, Community Leader, Minister/Church Leader, or Supervisor from work or Community Service Project.
   5. Scholarship Essay (PDF Copy): Include a PDF copy of your essay on the topic: "Who is your hero and why, and how have their actions impacted your life?" (500 words or less). Name the file as follows: Josie Washington Memorial Essay.
   6. Headshot (JPEG or PNG): Include a digital headshot photo in JPEG or PNG format.
5. Complete the application form (Click here to complete the application).
6. Include the link to your Google Drive folder in section number (6) of the application. Ensure the link is set to “anyone with link” may view. The application and Google Drive folder submission must be completed by January 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM.