This scholarship, established in 2002 by members of the Patrick Family, who are DHS alumni, is one of the largest scholarship available to Decatur High School students. Recipients of the Patrick Family Foundation Scholarship must:

• exhibit integrity and a strong work ethic in all situations
• demonstrate initiative and promise
• show potential for success in post-secondary study

NOTE: Financial need is a criterion for this award, and applicants for whom the cost of college may be a barrier will be given priority. 

2023 Recipient: Kiree Harris

• has shown leadership qualities in the classroom and/or school community
• has demonstrated resiliency in the face of obstacles
• maintains a GPA of 3.3 or above
• demonstrates a desire to challenge themselves academically

This scholarship was established in 2019 by Lynn Paxton in honor of the lives of her parents, Lawrence and Gertrude Paxton. Lawrence and Gertrude were both dentists who graduated from Howard University, a historically black university. Recipients of the Lawrence and Gertrude Paxton Memorial Scholarship must:

• demonstrate integrity and a strong work ethic in all situations
• exhibit a drive to improve their community with a focus on social welfare and humanitarian goals
• have demonstrated resiliency in the face of social or economic obstacles
• exhibit strong scholarship (but not necessarily at the top of his/her class)

Preference will be given to students of color, students interested in entering a health profession or students attending a historically black college or university. Financial need is a criterion for this award, and applicants for whom the cost of college may be a barrier will be given priority.

2023 Recipient: Jukeria Tate

This scholarship was established in 2022 by the McNally family and is targeted towards a graduating senior who:

• Maintains a GPA of 3.0 in core academic subjects
• Demonstrates strong work ethic and integrity
• Is involved in the community

Preference will be given to students who intend to study in the fields of engineering, science, accounting or finance.

2023 Recipient: Aniyah Jones

This award honors the life of former DHS student Bill Mealor, Jr., who passed away during his senior year in 1986. It is given to a male student who exhibits tenacity, determination, spirit, and enthusiasm in the face of adversity – all qualities that were characteristic of Bill Mealor, Jr.

2023 Recipient: Tae’von Gatling

This scholarship, founded by DHS alumnus Sam Gladding in memory of his parents, Russell Burton and Gertrude Templeman Gladding, is awarded to a student who is hard-working, service-minded, focused on bettering humanity, unselfish, humble, outgoing, fair, and who plans to attend a four-year liberal arts college/university.

2023 Recipient: Audrey Levy

This award, honoring Han Choi’s life and board service to DEF, is awarded to a student who has overcome significant challenges with determination, faith and resiliency. Student must be in good standing at DHS and must demonstrate leadership, service, academic excellence, and integrity with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

2023 Recipient: Miles Moorfield

This award, named for Harry Edwards, whose plane was shot down in Vietnam, recognizes a student who exemplifies citizenship, school spirit, honesty, integrity, and self-discipline – character traits that Harry demonstrated as a student and an officer.

2023 Recipient: Zakariye Abdulahi

Created in memory of Imani Thompson Twine, this scholarship is awarded to a female member of the senior class who exhibits the qualities that defined Imani: leadership, academic excellence, perseverance, maturity, love for others, and the ability to impact all types of people.

2023 Recipient: Zoe DeLuca

Awarded to a female student is well regarded by her peers – the kind of person they would describe as kind to all, warm and non-judgmental, and friends with a variety of students. Preference given to applicants who are determined to pursue higher education or vocational training after high school, and deserve a little more help to get started on their career path.

2023 Recipient: Kira Czech

This scholarship honors the life of Kennedy Segars, a Decatur High graduate from the class of 2018. Kennedy’s bright future was tragically ended by a drunk driver. She attended a historically black college and had aspirations of becoming a lawyer. Her memorial scholarship is given to a senior who demonstrates leadership and a commitment to community service and preference is given to a student attending a historically black college.

2023 Recipient: Brooke Cobb

This scholarship honors the life and legacy of Madison Lewis and is awarded to a graduating senior who participated in DHS athletics and exemplifies the best of Bulldog Spirit. The recipient demonstrates leadership, good sportsmanship, a strong work ethic on and off the field, and serves as a role model to teammates.

2023 Recipient: Maggie Kennedy

This scholarship was established to honor the life and work of Decatur Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Brown Wilson for her dedication for the cause of social justice. It is awarded annually to a senior who demonstrates ongoing involvement in community service, achievement that reflects a commitment to education, and resilience in overcoming adversity.

2023 Recipient: Hailey Poelker

The Rachel Britain Memorial Scholarship, founded in 2020, honors the life and legacy of Rachel Britain, an active and engaged member of the Class of 2008 at Decatur High School who passed away in 2019.  The award is presented to a student who has shown a commitment to community service, demonstrates kindness, compassion, an interest in bringing people together and financial need.

2023 Recipient: Abe Werner

This award is designed to support the mission of the Rotary Club to promote ethical business practices, peace, and goodwill in local communities and the world. The recipient each year must demonstrate a strong commitment to community service.

2023 Recipient: Hannah Pomfret

Awarded to a high-achieving, female student who has taken challenging classes and is driven to achieve her personal best and who consistently demonstrates a spirit of optimism and positivity that uplifts all those around her. This award is named for Sarah Lynn Woolf, whose care for others lifted them up, even while she battled cancer. Sarah did this because it was who she was, and she never sought recognition or the spotlight.

2023 Recipient: Lily Mae Barcik

This scholarship honors 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 to a graduating senior who embodies Thomas’ personal qualities of courage, friendship, and peace-making.

2023 Recipient: Rohan Kappagantula

Awarded to an African-American student with a minimum 2.5 GPA and plans to attend a two- or four-year college, who demonstrates leadership skills, and strong work ethic with determination to achieve, and a commitment to furthering their education. Priority given to students who have generational ties to an African-American family that extend back to when schools were segregated.

2023 Recipient: Harrison Hannah

This scholarship, was founded in 2007 by Jane Carriere, retired City Schools of Decatur mathematics educator, to enhance instruction in mathematics, science and special education by supporting Decatur teachers who are seeking an advanced degree with an emphasis in one or more of these areas. Applicants must be either a K-5 classroom teacher, a math or science teacher for grades 6-12, or a K-12 Exceptional Student Services teacher.

The link for the application will be HERE when the process begins in spring 2024 for the 2023-24 school year.

These scholarships provide funding for summer enrichment opportunities for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Priority is given to families who demonstrate financial need. The application process is now open. Click the link HERE for the application form and complete on or before April 15, 2022. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. 

Close-Up is an annual trip to Washington D.C. for high school students to learn about our government and how to be civically involved citizens. DEF works in partnership with Decatur High School to ensure that every student who wants to attend this life-changing trip can, regardless of their ability to pay. Interested students should contact Duane Sprull, CTAE Director at Decatur High School at dsprull@csdecatur.net.

The Regina Presley Scholarship was established by Bill and Patricia Shropshire and their children Kate and Eric Swett to provide an annual full-tuition scholarship at the Frasier Center for a Decatur family who has a need of daycare services. The fund is named in honor of Regina Presley, a longtime caregiver at the Frasier Center who retired in 2018.