Scholarships
The Carriere Family Scholarship for Teachers
The Carriere Family Scholarship for Teachers was established in 2007 with a generous gift from Decatur residents Jane and Ed Carriere.
Jane R. Carriere was an employee of City Schools of Decatur from 1986 to 2007. During this period, she served as a fifth grade teacher, as a math teacher at the middle school and as the math and science coordinator for the school district. Edward E. Carriere Jr. is an attorney who has served as a state court judge in DeKalb County and has served since 1988 as a judge in the municipal court for the City of Decatur.
The purpose of the Carriere Family Scholarship for Teachers is to enhance instruction in mathematics, science, and special education by supporting teachers from City Schools of Decatur who are seeking an advanced degree with an emphasis in one or more of these areas.
Teachers applying for the scholarship must have a minimum of three years employment with City Schools of Decatur and must be a K-5 classroom teacher, a 6-12 mathematics or science teacher, or an Exceptional Student Services (ESS) teacher. Additionally, applicants must have been accepted and plan to attend an accredited college or university. Degree programs offered by institutions that offer primarily or exclusively on-line instruction are not eligible. Award recipients must remain an employee of City Schools of Decatur for a minimum of one academic year following the payment of this award.
Up to $1,500 is available to teachers who qualify.
The deadline for 2010 is Friday, April 16.
Application required. Download the application (PDF file).
Past recipients
2009: Marca Tigner
2008: Stephen Gathany and Susan Brooks
The Patrick Family Scholarship
The Patrick Family Foundation was established in 1988 by Decatur residents Joseph E. and Geraldine A. Patrick. Decatur High School alumnae Joe (Pat) Patrick (DHS 1963), Hilda Buchanan Patrick (DHS 1962), and Dorothea Patrick Smith (DHS 1968) established the scholarship fund in 2002.
It is the largest single scholarship available exclusively to Decatur High School students. Recipients of the award are selected based on demonstrated initiative, potential for success in higher education, and financial need. The $5,000 award is renewable for four years of post secondary study.
Scholarship amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for 4 years
Application required. Download the application (PDF file).
Past recipients
Class of 2009: Sallie Mack
Class of 2008: Rachel Britain
Class of 2007: Thomas James Brown
Class of 2006: Angela Riley
Class of 2005: Beth Mack
Class of 2004: Cacye Means
Class of 2003: Michelle Wilder
Class of 2002: Bobby Floyd
Sarah Woolf Memorial Scholarship
The Sarah Lynn Woolf Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Sarah Woolf, a member of the DHS Class of 2003 who passed away during her junior year from a rare form of bone cancer.
The scholarship is given each year to a female member of the graduating class who exhibits the qualities that defined Sarah's life: a determination to excel in all of her endeavors, academic accomplishment exhibited through high grades earned in demanding coursework, and an infectious spirit of optimism.
Scholarship amount: $5,000
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipients
Class of 2009: Olivia Gorbatkin
Class of 2008: Rachel Waldron
Class of 2007: Olivia Sedlack
Class of 2006: Sara Proctor
Class of 2005: Bemene Baadom-Piaro
Class of 2004: Meredith Webb
Class of 2003: Gillian Connally
The Carl and Mae Renfroe Memorial Scholarships
The Carl and Mae Renfroe Memorial Scholarships were established in honor of former Superintendent of schools, Dr. Carl Renfroe and his wife Mae. The Renfroe scholarships are awarded to one male and one female member of each Decatur High School graduating class who demonstrate academic promise and a determination to succeed.
Scholarship amount: $1,000 for male recipient and $1,000 for female recipient
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipients
Class of 2009 (female): Egan Connor Short
Class of 2009 (male): Matt Sistrunk
Coye Foundation Scholarship
The Coye Foundation Scholarship was founded by Allan Coye, a graduate of Decatur High School - Class of 1997. The mission of The Coye Foundation is to implement programs aimed at increasing educational opportunities for minorities by addressing the lack of resources in many underserved communities. The intent of this scholarship is to award a partial scholarship for post-secondary study to an African-American graduating senior who has shown a commitment to leadership, community service, scholarship and personal growth while at Decatur High School.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipient
Class of 2009: Anna Kelley
Thomas Hauk Memorial Scholarship
The Thomas Hauk Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor the life of Thomas John Anthony Hauk who died in 2002 at the age of 16 from complications related to Addison's disease. The award is given each year to a graduating male from Decatur High School who participated on the wrestling team (or some other competitive sports team) and embodies Thomas's personal qualities of courage, friendship and peace-making.
Scholarship amount: $1,500
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipients
Class of 2009: Ezzard Glenn
Class of 2008: Jimmy Spearman
Class of 2007: P. Joseph Gillespie
Class of 2006: Christopher Hilton
Class of 2005: Peter Erickson
Harry Edwards Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship
The Harry Edwards Class of 1960 Memorial Scholarship honors the life and legacy of Harry Edwards. Harry graduated from Decatur High School in 1960 and from Georgia Tech in 1964. He was commissioned in the United States Navy, earned his pilot wings, and was assigned to the aircraft carrier the USS Constellation. While on a mission over North Vietnam on October 20, 1966, Harry’s plane was shot down. His remains were later recovered and buried with full honors in Arlington National Cemetery.
As a student and as an officer, Harry always exemplified the highest ideals of integrity, honor, and citizenship. In establishing the Memorial Scholarship, his classmates remember Harry, his unique contributions to the Class of 1960, and his service to the United States of America. Recipients of the award exemplify citizenship, school spirit, honesty, integrity, and self-discipline. These were traits that were characteristic of the life of Harry Edwards.
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipients
Class of 2009: Jacob Hamalian
Class of 2008: Babbs Bowden
Class of 2007: Nathan Tavel
Class of 2006: David Allen
The Mary Elizabeth Brown Wilson Scholarship
The Mary Elizabeth Brown Wilson Scholarship honors the life and work of Decatur Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson for her dedication and sacrifice to the cause of justice. Ms. Wilson played a key role in the desegregation of Decatur public schools and libraries during the 1960s. Driven by principle, Elizabeth Wilson was relentless in her non-violent protest against injustice and inequity in our community. Her actions changed the course of history and served to ensure that every child in the City of Decatur has an equal opportunity to receive a quality education.
Scholarship amount: $500
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipients
Class of 2009: Shawn Harrison
Class of 2008: Juan Cardoza-Oquendo
Class of 2007: Kirstin Williams
Class of 2006: Emmanuel Obe
Bill Mealor Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The Bill Mealor Jr. scholarship was established in memory of Decatur High School student Bill Mealor, son of Bill and Marie Mealor. The scholarship is presented each year to a graduating senior male who best displays the positive attitude and overall determination and spirit that was characteristic of Bill Mealor.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past Recipients
Class of 2009: Wilson Billingsley
Class of 2008: Corey Spraggins
Class of 2007: Joshua Schindler
Class of 2006: Demarco Bullock
Class of 2005: William Lee Huggins
Class of 2004: Andrew Kelly
The Westchester Lifeskills Scholarship
As a legacy to the Westchester Elementary learning community, this scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Decatur High School who exemplifies the learning for life and personal life skills that were emphasized at Westchester.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
There is no application process. To qualify for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by Decatur High School faculty. The Decatur High School Scholarship Committee reviews nominations and awards the scholarship based on the criteria listed above.
Past recipients
Class of 2009: Anna Rose Gable
Class of 2008: Sarah Harber
Class of 2007: Karman Duchon
Class of 2006: Kate Stucke
