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.
To make a donation to the Jerome Nowak Fund & Scholarship, please click here.