Silent Servant Scholarship Award
Purpose, Guidelines and Conditions
PROGRAM CONTACT
PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
EMPATHY IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR
Students quickly acquire empathy, and successively compassion, by engaging in public service in their communities. Such selfless service achieves peaceful behavior at school and personal self-worth. As adults, these students become able parents and productive members of society.
The primary purpose of the Peter R. Marsh Foundation’s Silent Servant Scholarship Award is to provide high school educators with a meaningful opportunity to utilize an in-school award presentation and the Award Recipient’s personal testimony to create a developmentally-receptive audience of student-peers in a “teachable moment” to learn behavioral empathy and community service opportunities from their educators.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD GUIDELINES AND CONDITIONS
UPDATED FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
PLEASE READ THE GUIDELINES AND CONDITIONS EVEN IF YOU’VE PARTICIPATED IN THE PAST.
- The Student Nominee must be attending a public high school in the United States.
- The Student Nominee’s past and current public service activities are:
- for altruistic reasons only, marked by unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
- independent, voluntary and beneficial to the citizens of the greater community outside their school (off-campus).
- without monetary or material reward or personal gain including favor, advancement or recognition.
- devoid of any imposed requirement to serve, discrimination, matters of social conflict or difference, or service related to social, political and governmental ideologies, activities and practices.
- Before completing a Scholarship Nomination, all applicants (Nominators) should read the Scholarship Award Reviews and the Frequently Asked Questions posted on this website as well as the Foundation’s Facebook page.
SCHOOL PARTICIPATION
- All public high schools within the United States are eligible to participate in the Silent Servant Scholarship Award program.
- To participate, a high school representative completes and submits the online “Nomination Form” provided on this website.
- By submitting a Nomination, the Nominator represents that the school and the Student Nominee meet the Guidelines and Conditions of this Scholarship Award program and the intent to accomplish its Purpose.
- A Nomination Form may be submitted at any time between September 1st and 45 days prior to the end of the school year. Schools with a population in excess of 500+ may submit two (2) Nominations per school year; schools with a population of 1,000+ may submit three (3).
- A high school representative(s) selects the student nominee and the student-forum in which the Award will be presented.
- Allow a minimum of four (4) weeks for the Foundation to process the Nomination and provide the Award materials to the school via USPS and UPS.
THE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
The Scholarship Award provided by the Foundation consists of:
- $595.00 conveyed by check made payable to the student.
- a custom-engraved plaque which incorporates the student's name.
THE STUDENT AWARD PRESENTATION FORUM
- Students who believe in their worth as a person have learned empathy. They enjoy emotional health, are peaceful in school and are fit to make meaningful career choices.
- Empathy is a learned behavior. A well-planned in-school Award Presentation Forum provides educators with an idyllic teachable moment to instill empathy in their students.
- Family members of the Award recipient should be encouraged to attend the Award Presentation.
- A photo of the student receiving their award during the assembly presentation is to be provided to the Foundation.
SUPPORTING CONDITIONS
- Scholarship Award funds provided to a student are unconditional (the student may use the funds in any manner they choose).
- Scholarship Awards are made in recognition of public service and achievement and are not intended to finance or reward any future activity of the student- recipient.
- The Foundation reserves the right to adjust the elements of the Silent Servant Scholarship Award without prior notice.
CONTACT AND QUESTIONS
info@prmfoundation.org
PARTNERS of HONOR
Featured Stories
Music Grant: "Just to be able to have the funds to purchase needed materials and to provide transportation to the performances has been incredible. Our three performances out of the building are truly my student's favorite part of the year. They have grown into confident young musicians from being able to perform in this kind of setting where everything they do is deeply appreciated."
Music Grant: "Receiving the Music Grant was deeply rewarding to me as a teacher because it reaffirmed the importance of the human connection that music creates. Teaching can be exhausting, and in today’s educational climate it is easy to lose sight of the “why” behind what we do when so much focus is placed on testing, data, and measurable outcomes. This grant allowed our students and me to step outside of those pressures and experience the true purpose of music education — building joy, connection, empathy, and community. Watching students interact with senior residents through music, laughter, conversation, and shared experiences was a powerful reminder that some of the most meaningful learning cannot be measured by a test score. Seeing residents light up during performances and watching students recognize the impact they could have on others brought renewed purpose and energy to my teaching. The grant provided opportunities that nurtured not only musical growth, but also kindness, confidence, and human connection, which are just as valuable as any academic achievement."
Music Grant: "While performing the 1950s themed concert at one location, the students noticed many of the residents singing every word to many of the songs. After the performance, a resident asked to demonstrate several dance moves from that era. The students joined in & let him teach them some new moves. The resident and the students quickly bonded during this impromptu activity. Then the students visited with all the residents in small groups and asked what dances were their favorites. It was a heart-warming interaction!"
