For DonorsFor Applicants

Allison Thomas Swanberg Memorial Scholarship

Funded by
$1,500
1 winner$1,500
Open
Application Deadline
Feb 14, 2025
Winners Announced
Mar 14, 2025
Education Level
Any
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student
GPA:
3.0 or higher
State:
Colorado
Background:
Community service and/or volunteering experience

Allison Thomas Swanberg was a selfless, proud, and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and dear friend to many. Lifelong resident of Arvada Colorado, Allison dedicated much of her life to serving her community. Allison's passion for service touched the lives of many in her community, and is exemplified by her position as the Scholarship and Grant Coordinator at Arvada West High School, the school she attended as well as her three daughters. In this role, she helped countless students apply for and receive scholarship aid, allowing numerous students to pursue their dreams. She passed away in June 2022 at the young age of 62 years old. This scholarship will continue Allison’s legacy of helping students achieve their educational goals, no matter the stage in their journey.

Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student attending a Colorado college or university who has at least a 3.0 GPA and community service or volunteering experience may apply for this scholarship.

To apply, tell us what community service means to you and how you plan to give back to your community through your career.



Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published July 4, 2024
Essay Topic

What does community service mean to you and how do you plan to give back to your community through your career?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Jocelyn Guardado
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsArvada, CO
Zoey Langerak
Fort Lewis CollegeWESTMINSTER, CO
Society’s foundation is built on community service. Our world often cuts community service perimeters into those who volunteer or donate. Overlooked are those who choose to give back to their community daily. Those who choose kindness over hate. Those who show others the benefit of the doubt. Those who choose to be the light in someone else’s day. People often fail to realize that serving their community is about making it a better place. A task as simple as putting a smile on someone’s face. There are often leaders who exemplify my definition of community service. These involve coaches, teachers, parents-people who guide us to who we are. These people have the power to determine the atmosphere of an entire community. My future career goal is to teach. Teaching means giving your life to ensure others live the best version of theirs. Inspired by countless teachers who taught me that a grade does not define me, I plan to continue their legacy—guiding students to achieve their fullest potential to succeed in a field that suits them most. My softball career drove me to Durango, Colorado—home to many underserved Native American Communities. Teaching on a reservation is an ambition I wish to pursue. Serving a community’s younger generation, who are so often overlooked. Giving back to a group of people in which much was taken from. Teaching, to me, involves setting a tone in an entire community. Teaching people that they are seen, and their ambitions are essential. Laying the structure for a growth mindset. As a teacher, I believe in instilling a community service mindset into all. How do you plan to make today better for someone else? My time playing softball at Arvada West High School exemplified the importance of community service and steered me toward one of my future careers. My first love was for the game of softball. My coaches, who chose to serve the softball community, opened the door for me to play in college. My plans after high school involve coaching. I want to give back to the community that has taught me many lessons and blessed me with great opportunities. Coaching means instilling confidence in young girls, helping them find an identity in something larger than themselves, and giving young women a love for something that could determine their destinies. A coach, as I have learned, has the potential to ruin dreams or build upon them. Coaching entails more than teaching softball-related skills. Life lessons are learned upon playing a game. A coach can give a young lady skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, etc. In the meantime, I serve my community best by uplifting those around me.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Feb 14, 2025. Winners will be announced on Mar 14, 2025.