Scholarships

Bette Smedley Charles graduated from Downingtown High School as a member of the Class of 1958.  She greatly enjoyed her high school years, earning excellent grades and participating in many activities.  After graduating, she became active with the Alumni Association. The friends she made in school proved to be lifelong friends.  Reunions became much more than once a year event. Legendary holiday parties, monthly lunches and summer picnics with her “gang,” as she affectionately called her classmates, filled her calendar. The school spirit Bette experienced in high school positively affected the rest of her life. Bette passed away in 2016 at the age of 75. Many members of the Class of ’58 attended her memorial service.

Bette’s family has established the Bette Smedley Charles, Class of '58, Memorial Scholarship in her honor. Each year a $500 scholarship will be awarded to one graduating senior from Downingtown School District with a minimum 3.0 GPA who displays genuine school spirit.

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  Bette Smedley Charles, Class of '58 Memorial Scholarship

Thomas Evans graduated from Downingtown High School as a member of the Class of 1964. He excelled in woodworking and enjoyed his “Industrial Arts” classes the most.  After graduating, he went to work at Lukens Steel and worked there for 40 years.  Woodworking was a passion of his that he enjoyed all the years of his life.

Thomas passed away in 2018 at the age of 73. Thomas' family has established the Thomas Evans Memorial Scholarship in his honor. Each year a scholarship will be awarded to one graduating senior from Downingtown High School West who has a talent in, or a passion, for woodworking.

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Thomas evans memorial scholarship

The family of Thomas Hill established this scholarship fund to commemorate Thomas J. Hill who graduated from Downingtown High School in 1964. Following graduation Tom got married and served in the military.  When he completed the service, he became a pipefitter. He and his wife Bonnie raised four children.  Tom passed away in 2022. His wife is thankful for the education Tom received while he was in Downingtown and want to help others pursue their college careers.

This scholarship shall be awarded to two (2) graduating seniors from Downingtown High School East, Downingtown High School West or the Downingtown S.T.E.M. Academy in the amount of $500 per recipient.  One (1) scholarship to be awarded to a graduating senior who is enrolled in or planning to enroll in a S.T.E.M. degree and one (1) scholarship to be awarded to a graduating senior who is enrolled in or planning to enroll in a vocational, technical or trade school to pursue an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, credit-bearing certificate, or an industry-recognized credential. 

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thomas hill scholarship

In 2017, the Jerome Nowak scholarship was established as a gift from Brett Gerry, a former Downingtown High School student, who wanted to honor his coach.  Jerome Nowak, retired DHS-West Tech Ed teacher, was Mr. Gerry’s cross-country coach. During that time, they won two Ches-Mont titles and qualified for the Pennsylvania State Championships.  Coach Nowak is recognized as a terrific coach and mentor, teaching athletes the importance of perseverance, sportsmanship, decency and respect for others, and above all else, humility. 

After graduating from Downingtown High School in 1989, Mr. Gerry went on to earn a bachelor’s degree Colgate University, a masters from Yale University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.  Mr. Gerry always remembered his favorite coach as he moved on with his life, serving as an associate counsel to President Bush, an attorney for Goodwin Procter LLP, a law clerk at both the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States, before moving to Boeing and being named President of Boeing Japan. 

Each year a graduating senior from one high school who is pursuing technical or vocational training is selected to receive a $5,000 scholarship.

jerome nowak fund & scholarship

The purpose of the Michelle Puentenueva Salowe Scholarship is to honor the memory of Michelle Puentenueva who graduated from Downingtown High School West as a member of the class of 1987. It was there Michelle developed a deep sense of community, which allowed her to learn and express her opinions in a safe and supportive environment.  At Downingtown High School West Michelle met fellow students who shared her values and became lifelong friends.

Each year a graduating senior from DHS-West who faced or is working through a significant challenge in their lives, including those with a developmental disability and is enrolled in or planning to enroll in a post-secondary college or trade school is selected to receive a $500 scholarship.

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MICHELLE PUENTENUEVA SALOWE SCHOLARSHIP
 

The Siegel Family Scholarship Fund provides need-based scholarships for Downingtown Area School District graduates and graduating seniors. Currently, this scholarship is awarded to 1 graduate or graduating senior from a Downingtown Area School District high school (Downingtown East High School, Downingtown West High School and/or the Downingtown S.T.E.M. Academy) for pursuit of a college degree in teaching or the natural sciences. The scholarship will be $10,000 per year for up to four years (assuming certain ongoing qualifications are met) and must be used for the purpose of paying college or university tuition, books and related fees.

Emily was a remarkably talented DHS West graduate who died at age 22 never getting the opportunity to realize her dream of a career on Broadway.  Her parents have set up a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior from DHS - West.

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emily singleton memorial fund & scholarship

Tommy Slater was a much-loved student at West Bradford Elementary School. Tommy passed away on September 24, 2013.  A memorial fund to benefit West Bradford Elementary School has been set up in Tommy's name. Funds raised from this drive will benefit educational projects approved by Tommy's parents.  

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tommy slater memorial fund

The purpose of the Mariyam Sufi Memorial Fund and Scholarship is to honor the memory of Mariyam Sufi, a passionate woman of color who worked in the STEM field, after graduating from Villanova University in 2001.  She was always up for an adventure, and greatly enjoyed her time at Villanova, where she made friends who became family.  Mariyam had a zest for life, was a strong advocate for women and displayed passion and courage in everything that she did, leaving an indelible mark on her family and friends.  Mariyam’s life was cut short by a hard-fought illness at the age of 27.  

This scholarship has been setup to carry on her legacy and to help a deserving student in need pursue their passions in STEM.  The scholarship will be granted annually, in the amount of $1,000 to a woman of color pursuing STEM at a college or university.  The hope is that by enabling this student to pursue their goals, they will increase diverse female representation in STEM, and will also continue to enable and empower those who come after them.  

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mariyam sufi scholarship

Florence W. March set up a trust in her husband's name - Charles A. Way - a Downingtown graduate and recognized by Downingtown in the Hall of Fame.  Each year a male and female senior scholar athlete from Downingtown West is awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

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charles a. way memorial scholarship