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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 $1,000 scholarship is designed to recognize a Junior student (rising Senior for the 2023-24 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 $750 scholarship is designed to recognize a current Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior student (rising Sophomore, Junior or Senior for the 2023-24 school year) who is CURRENTLY involved in band, orchestra, or football. Two $750 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 2023-24 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 ’09.

Nomination only scholarships

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

Amici Fideles “Faithful Friends” Scholarship

This scholarship is by NOMINATION ONLY by Faculty, Staff and Coaches. This award is anonymously sponsored by an SJA family whose child received caring support from friends at St. James at a critical time. These friends surrounded the student with faithful friendship by showing compassion, love, attentiveness, determination, commitment and forgiveness when it was needed. The parents were so touched, they created the scholarship fund, “Amici Fideles”, or “Faithful Friends”.

Qualifications:

This scholarship is by FACULTY AND COACH NOMINATION ONLY. The $500 award is designed to recognize two Sophomore students (rising Juniors for the 2023-24 school year) who pursue academic excellence, set a good moral example, and have shown extraordinary faithfulness to a friend in need. In 2022, we had 27 students nominated for this scholarship, by faculty, staff, and coaches.

Isabelle Ford “Grace Iz Forever” Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship is by FACULTY AND COACH NOMINATION ONLY. The $500 award is designed to recognize one Freshman (rising Sophomore for the 2023-24 school year) and one Sophomore (rising Junior for the 2023-24 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 2023-24 school year), nominated by the English Department Faculty, who emulates joy and happiness, loves literature, and creates community in the classroom.