Applications are CLOSED

Please contact Jenn Godar with questions at jgodar@sjakeepingfaith.org

Application only scholarships

The scholarships below are available, with application deadlines listed for each scholarship and the qualifications required for each.

Zach Graas “Dream Big” Memorial Scholarship

The Zach Graas “Dream Big” Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Zach Graas, class of 2011. While Zach was not a straight-A student nor a star athlete, he possessed two key attributes — the ability to dream big, and the grit to achieve those dreams. Zach pursued his goals with relentless determination. What set Zach apart from others his age was his ability to get out of his comfort zone and engage with the people around him, whether he knew them or not. A brain cancer diagnosis at the beginning of his college career didn’t slow him down in the pursuit of his greatness, nor did his 6-year battle against brain cancer. Zach achieved more in those 6 years than many people achieve in a lifetime.

Qualifications:

Established in 2019, in memory of Zach, this $1,500 scholarship is designed to recognize a Junior student (rising Senior for the 2026-27 school year) who is determined, has a positive outlook and shows friendship to all. It is someone who embraces challenges and lives life to its fullest.

SJA for SJA Memorial Scholarship

The SJA for SJA scholarship was established in memory of Stefanie Jo Adams, wife of football coach Jeff Adams. While Stefanie had a profound love of music and education, she loved supporting her family in their various activities and found joy in doing so.

Qualifications:

This $1,500 scholarship is designed to recognize TWO current Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior student (rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior for the 2026-27 school year) who is CURRENTLY involved in band, orchestra, or football. Two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded.

David B. Jones Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established this year to honor the memory of David B. Jones, father of five graduates of St. James Academy. Though cancer claimed his body, it could never conquer his spirit nor erase his legacy. David instilled a spirit of competition, excellence, and achievement in all his children, and strove to support them in all their endeavors.

Armed with his stopwatch and heat sheets, he was a constant presence on the sidelines and at the finish line. So it is fitting that this scholarship supports student athletes in their own pursuit of excellence and achievement.

Qualifications:

This $1,000 scholarship recognizes a Freshman (rising Sophomore for the 2026-27 school year), currently involved in either swimming or track and field, in need of tuition assistance with a strong academic record.

Lauren Dopp Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Lauren Dopp ‘09 as a memorial to honor her special qualities of purity, honesty, faith, and complete determination.

Lauren’s friends speak of her as a woman of radical faith and say that she possessed an unbelievable desire to love. She spoke her mind and abandoned social boundaries as she befriended all who would let her. She had a heart for service, and she lived for others. Her devotion to honesty and truth made her a loyal friend and teammate. She admitted her flaws and committed to her struggles. She faced life head-on and made the most of every opportunity she was given. Her ownership of her flaws made her a hero to those around her. Lauren continues to be an example of faith and purity in our St. James community with the tradition of saying “Be, Know, Do” at the closing of our prayer circles.

Qualifications:

This $500 award recognizes a returning St. James Academy Spirit Team member (either cheer or dance) who best represents the ideals set forth by former member Lauren Dopp.

Applications are due by May 12, 2026 at 10pm. 

Gabriel Puchalla ‘22 Legacy Scholarship

The Gabriel “Gabe” Puchalla ‘22 Legacy Scholarship was created in memory of St. James alumnus and United States Marine, Gabe Puchalla, who passed away suddenly of an aortic rupture in March 2023, while on base in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Gabe’s passing was later determined to be initiated by undetected testicular cancer that aggressively spread.

While at St. James, Gabriel was a varsity letterman in wrestling, earning a trip to State his senior year. He excelled in history, and was specifically passionate about American History and World Wars. Although a quiet student, Gabriel found his voice whenever the conversation turned to these topics. As a junior, Gabriel marched himself to the local recruiting office where he made the decision to pre-enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He became intensely focused on developing the qualities needed to attain this goal, balancing his school activities while regularly attending physical training with other Marine recruits.

After graduating high school in 2022, Gabriel joined the Marine Corps and excelled in each post he had. While at Camp Lejeune, Gabriel worked as a Radio Field Operator and was promoted to Lance Corporal on March 2, 2023.

Gabriel had an unwavering love for God, country, and family. He possessed a quiet strength and a warrior mentality, persevering through any challenge set before him. He maintained a sense of humility, making sure others received credit before himself. Gabriel was the kind of person you’d want with you in the trenches, literal or figuratively.

Qualifications:

This $500 scholarship is designed to recognize TWO current Sophomore or Junior students (rising Juniors or Seniors for the 2026-27 school year) who has a desire to help others while being humble, lives as an example of servitude and leadership, and shows perseverance when facing challenges. 

Nancy Skahan Legacy Scholarship

The Nancy Skahan Legacy Scholarship was created in memory of Nancy Skahan, mother of SJA alumnus Rowen Skahan ’22 and current students Aidan ’25, Connor ’25 and Carys ’27. As an educator for nearly 30 years, she was passionate about education and spent most of her career as a reading specialist helping countless students and staff in that role.

The other thing that surpassed her passion for teaching was her love for her family. She was their biggest cheerleader in all of their curricular and extracurricular endeavors through the years, and she quietly demonstrated her strong sense of determination and faith to her children and all those who were blessed to know her.

Qualifications:

This $1,000 scholarship is designed to recognize a current Sophomore or Junior student (rising Junior or Senior for the 2026-27 school year) who has a heart for learning, pursues academic excellence, and shows faithfulness to friends and community.

Nomination only scholarships

The scholarships below are for nomination by staff/coach only.

Barrett Family Christian Servant Leadership Legacy Scholarship

Through his faith and humble service to others, Ben Barrett, class of 2019, exemplified Christian servant leadership. He always prioritized the needs of others, serving with humility, charity and love while focusing on stewardship for the common good.

Qualifications:

The $5,000 award is designed to recognize one Sophomore or Junior (rising Junior or Senior for the 2026-27 school year), who in their time at St. James Academy has shown that they embody Christian servant leadership through their actions at school or in the community. This scholarship is by Nomination Only.

Mark Huppe “Let’s Get With It Today” Legacy Scholarship

Mark Huppe was our beloved Athletic Director for 13 years at St. James Academy. Mark will be remembered for his spirit, energy, and faith. He was a lifelong runner, finishing 10 marathons in his 50’s and continuing to walk 4 miles a day up until the day before he passed. Mark showed us all the value of gratitude and kindness, with a special talent for bringing people into the fold with humor and compassion.

The $5,000 award is designed to recognize a Junior (rising Senior for the 2026-27 school year) who in their time at St. James have wanted to be a part of the SJA community and a part of something bigger than themselves. All in for SJA whether in athletics, as a team manager or other activities.

Isabelle Ford “Grace Iz Forever” Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship is by FACULTY AND COACH NOMINATION ONLY. The $1,000 award is designed to recognize one Freshman (rising Sophomore for the 2026-27 school year) and one Sophomore (rising Junior for the 2026-27 school year), who in their short time here have shown a heart for service, extraordinary faithfulness to friends, pursues academic excellence, and lives life to its fullest. This scholarship is by nomination only.

Samantha Branson “Joy and Happiness” Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is by NOMINATION ONLY by the English Department Faculty. Samantha Branson was a disciple, teacher, and mother at St. James Academy who brought happiness and a loving heart to everyone who knew her. She was known by all, for her love of Jesus and her students, her passion for literature and writing, and for the “Wall of Happiness” that adorned her classroom walls each year, allowing students to share with each other those things, big and little, that brought them happiness. A scholarship was established this year in her honor, so that her memory and example can live on within our SJA community.

Qualifications:

This scholarship is by FACULTY NOMINATION ONLY. This $500 award is designed to recognize a current Sophomore or Junior (rising Juniors or Seniors for the 2026-27 school year), nominated by the English Department Faculty, who emulates joy and happiness, loves literature, and creates community in the classroom.

The Sean Clark 21 “A FRIEND TO ALL” Memorial Scholarship

The Sean Clark #21 Memorial Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Sean, whose strong faith, kind heart, and selfless character touched everyone who knew him. Sean was the kind of person who stood up for others, volunteered when no one else would, and welcomed those who might have been overlooked. He was proud of his heritage, confident in who he was, and lived his faith through his actions every day. 

Qualifications:

This $2100 scholarship recognizes a student who embodies these same qualities — someone who values inclusion, courage, compassion, and faith, and who strives to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 

A student who is a current Freshman, Sophomore, Junior (rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior for the 2026-2027 school year) who must be nominated by a staff member or coach who has observed these qualities in them. 

Do you know a student who: 

• Stands up for others, even when it’s hard 
• Welcomes those who might be overlooked 
• Volunteers with humility and courage 
• Lives their faith through action 
• Is proud of who they are and their heritage