Helps educators or groups of educators to implement innovative, unique student projects that enrich learning, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; and result in increased achievement.

The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM.

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Provide music educators funds to enhance access to, enrich the quality of, and expand the educational experiences of their students.

The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM.

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This Professional Development Grant was established through the Lawrence Schools Foundation, to provide professional learning opportunities and summer professional learning compensation to facilitate responses content area learning standards, for Lawrence Public Schools educators of grades 9-12.

The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on April 30 by 5:00 PM

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Building administrators are encouraged to apply for a grant to fund a purchase, project or program for which state or federal funds are not available.

The deadline to apply for Foundation grants will be on February 1 and September 1 by 5:00 PM

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Applicants must have graduated from Billy Mills Middle School (South Middle School) and are pursuing a career in a skilled trade.  Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and demonstrate financial need.  Applicants must have been involved in school activities and plans to attend any 4-year college/university or 2-year junior college/vocational and/or technical school.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Application Form: LHS General Application

Applicants must be involved in school activities and/or athletics.  Applicants must have been involved in community activities and plans to attend any four-year college/university or two-year junior college/vocational and/or technical school.  Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Application Form:  LHS General Application

Applicants must have a GPA between 1.5 and 2.75 with interest in studying English, art or music at an accredited institution or the military.  Applicants must attach a nomination letter from an English, art, or music teacher, or by an administrator or counselor.

Additional Requirements: Applicants must attach a nomination letter.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Application Form: LHS General Application

Applicants must be a member of the LHS wrestling team and demonstrate financial need.  Applicants must be involved in school and community activities.  This scholarship can be used at any post-secondary education institution. 

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $500

Application Form: LHS General Application

Applicant must identify as a LGBTQ senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and plan to attend a 4-year college or university. 

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $2,500

Application Form: LHS General Application

Dale(FSHS class of 2009) was a student who preferred the back row of the classroom and could frequently be caught sleeping during first hour. Dale never met a stranger. His personality was larger than life and his smile was the biggest you ever saw. He was a natural born leader that people gravitated towards. Dale lived by the motto of “go big or go home”. He was a member of the varsity soccer team his sophomore through senior year. Senior year he was team captain and was selected to the All-State soccer team. His picture still hangs just down the hall, outside of the gym. He was also a member of the varsity golf team all 4 years of high school, qualifying for state his senior year. 13 years ago Dale stood on this very stage and accepted a full ride scholarship from the United States Air Force. After four years and a lot of work, Dale graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. In his last semester Dale was informed he had been selected to receive a coveted pilot training slot that he had worked so hard for. In his short time as an instructor pilot, Dale won many awards for being the best instructor pilot and was someone every student respected and enjoyed flying with. Dale Shillington was killed in a military aviation training accident on July 21, 2016. 

Description: The scholarship was established by Allen Moore in memory of Dale Shillington, Free State class of 2009. 
Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $2,000
Criteria:  Minimum GPA of 2.5, involvement in school activities with formal or informal leadership roles, involvement in community activities, school athletics, plans to attend any 4-year college/university and/or planning to serve our country.
Application Form: FSHS General Application

The scholarship was founded in 1990 and at the time it was targeted to professional development and special education. It was established to honor Karen’s daughter Erin Dayton, who died at age 16.

Requirements: Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, plan to attend a two-year college, junior college, vocational and/or technical school and demonstrate a financial need.  The award will be selected by the staff at the Lawrence College and Career Center.  

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Application Form: LHS / FSHS  General Application

Applicants must have participated in Future Cities for any USD497 team and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.  Applicants must be involved in school activities and submit a 250 word essay.  This scholarship can be used at any post-secondary education institution. 

Essay question: Please explain the most valuable lesson you learned by participating in the Future Cities program and how that has impacted your life.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $500

Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application

Applicants must have attended Liberty Memorial Central Middle School and is pursuing a degree in Art at any 4-year college/university or 2-year college (junior college, vocational and/or technical school). Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. 

Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application

John Bork, an attorney who prosecuted public officials and murder cases, was also an avid wrestling dad to his three sons. Two wrestled at LHS and the third wrestled at Free State, graduating in 2002. John thought that wrestling taught great life lessons and skills as evidenced by his youngest son’s receiving a Division 1 wrestling scholarship. John hoped that this scholarship, given in his memory, would give a graduating FSHS wrestler a bit of help as that student pursues whatever education avenue that comes next.

Description: Applicant must be planning to attend a 4-year university or a 2-year college/junior college, vocation or technical school and must have lettered in wrestling at Free State High School. Applicant must have exhibited leadership qualities and high academic standards.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $500

Criteria: Lettered in wrestling and merit

Application Form: LFSHS General Application

Description: This scholarship was established by what is now The Children’s Shelter in memory of Jonell Williams. Applicant must currently be or have been involved with the court system, or at risk for court intervention. Preference given for students who are or have been a resident of The Shelter. Applicant must be nominated by their guidance counselor. See your guidance counselor to be nominated.

Additional Requirements: Nominated by guidance counselor

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Criteria: Open to any graduate who meets the criteria above

Application Form: Counselor must send in nomination form

Number of Scholarships: 1
Award Amount: $1,000
Application Form: LHS General Application

Applicants must have plans to attend the University of Kansas or Emporia State University to major in Elementary Education or Business or the applicant plans to attend Peaslee Tech.  

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $500

Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application

Description: Michael Latham graduated from Lawrence High School in May 2013. He went on to graduate from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Bioengineering.

This fund was created to provide a scholarship for one Lawrence High School senior to attend college and will be entering into the field of Engineering. The scholarship is created with a current three-year term.

Criteria for selection:

• Specific Field of Study: Engineering
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0
• Financial Need
• Preference may be given to a student who is first generation in family to attend college

Number of scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Application Form: LHS General Application

The Preston Scheibler Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Preston, LHS class of 2008. Preston enjoyed playing on the basketball and baseball teams at LHS. During the summer baseball season his teams would consist of both LHS and LFS players. Preston had close friends from the north side of town. After high school, Preston worked with students that had disabilities. He had a wonderful heart for all people, but especially those who needed extra help and compassion.

After his death in 2011, the family wanted to award a student from LHS and Free State with a $1,000 scholarship in his memory.

Description: Applicant must have and IEP based on academic challenges and be involved in school activities. Applicant must plan to attend a 2 or 4 year Kansas university/college, or vocational /technical school. Special one-page essay is required.

Additional Requirements: Please attach your response to the following question: In college you will be responsible for advocating for yourself. How will you explain your disability and your needs to your college professors?

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Criteria: IEP (not gifted)

Application Form: LHS  / FSHS General Application

1. Construction Management or Civil Engineering Scholarship: Applicants should be planning to pursue a career in construction management or civil engineering at a Kansas post-secondary institution

2. Trade School, Vo-Tech School or Community College Scholarship: Applicants should be planning to pursue an education that will lead them to a field foreman position within the construction industry.

Number of Scholarships: 2
Award Amount: $500
Application Form: LHS General Application
Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $1,000

Criteria: IEP (not gifted)

Application Form: LHS  / FSHS General Application

Description: This scholarship was started in memory of Ryan Walker (1986-2003). Applicant must plan to pursue a music degree. Applicant must exhibit leadership skills and be involved in school activities.
Number of Scholarships: 1-2
Award Amount: $500
Criteria: Open to any graduate who meets the above requirements

Application Form: LHS  / FSHS General Application

Applicants may include student or parent(s) of the student, who is battling cancer, in remission or unfortunately deceased due to cancer.  Applicants should let their school counselor know they would like to be considered for the scholarship and then complete the application form.  Students will be interviewed by Joe Satriano, trustee of the Foundation.

Number of Scholarships: TBA (unlimited)

Award Amount: Varies

Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application

Applicants should demonstrate a financial need and be involved in community activities, with preference given to students who are Muslims.  Applicants need a minimum 3.5 GPA and plan to attend any four-year college/university

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $2,000

Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application

Applicants must be a member of the LHS Wresting Program with plans to continue their education.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Award Amount: $500

Application Form: LHS General Application

The W.I.N.G. – Woodlawn Inspiring the Next Generation scholarship was established to support Woodlawn Riverhawk Alumni in their pursuits and passions after their time in Lawrence Public Schools. The donors want to support the next generation in success by contributing to their community.

Number of Scholarships: 2

Award Amount: $500

Application Form: LHS / FSHS General Application

The A.C.E Award recognizes and applauds classified employees whose efforts benefit students, faculty and staff, and others within and outside the USD 497 community. Students, faculty, classified and administrative staff may nominate any permanent part-time or full-time classified employee.  Award recipients will be announced each fall and each spring.

The recipient of the A.C.E Award will receive a $500.00 award.

The deadline to submit a nomination will be on February 28 and September 30 by 5:00 PM.

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Nearly 25 years ago, several Lawrence businessmen and educators, who are all named “Bob,” came to the school district with the plan to annually recognize a teacher who has a special gift for teaching and turning kids on to learning.  The recipients of this award all have one thing in common – their classrooms are fun, they inspire creativity, and learning is infectious.

Fast forward to today–There are now fifteen “Bobs” in the bob’s club including female “Bobs”. Although most of our “Bobs” are right here within our community, we even have one that is out of state and Nationally known.  In addition, their generosity and support has grown to inspire THEIR sons and daughters to do the same. In 2007, the sons and daughters of the Bobs created The Special Award for Dedication to Education. It also serves to honor a teacher who goes the extra mile for all kids, especially kids who need it most.  It honors a teacher whose work embodies the district’s mission of “Learning for All, Whatever it Takes” – and comes with a generous $5000 gift for an educator.

The most impactful and humbling part of this program is that fact that our Bobs choose not to have the spotlight on them but rather on the recipient of this award. 

$10,000 BOBS AWARD NOMINATION GUIDELINES:

• Anyone, including students, staff, peers, alumni & community members may nominate an educator.
• Teachers may not nominate themselves.
• Supporting letters from colleagues, parents, students, alumni and community members may be included with the original nomination letter.
• All Nominations Must Be Submitted                                          By 5:00 PM On April 30, 2025 to:
  LAWRENCE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
  110 MCDONALD DRIVE
  LAWRENCE, KS 66044
  or via Email: djohnsto@usd497.org

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