Marion John Shepard, Jr. Scholarship
The first of 10 children born to Marion John Shepard, Sr. and Dora Stray Shepard, “Shep” was educated in the Mobile, Alabama school system. He graduated from Central High School, S.D. Bishop Junior College and Alabama State University. He was married to Mattie Marshall Shepard, also a teacher, for 52 years. He was an educator for 33 years at Mary G. Montgomery High School where he taught history. He was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year. He also taught countless at-risk youth for 15 years at James T. Strickland Youth Center.
He worked for 51 years as the Youth Sports Coordinator in the City of Mobile’s Parks and Recreation Department. He coached football, was a pitcher for the Mobile Mets baseball team, and also played basketball and softball.
“Shep” was a role model to many young people, including his siblings. Both of his parents passed at an early age so he was instrumental in assisting his siblings to navigate life.
Losing a parent, especially at a young age can be a deeply traumatic, life-altering experience that can take years to process. In addition to the emotional turmoil, there can also be instability, financial insecurity, and loneliness. Many children who lose a parent may have to be taken in by family members or the government which can mean a total life change. In light of these effects, it can be difficult for young people to focus on their education or find the motivation to continue to pursue their dreams.
This scholarship aims to honor Marion John Shepard Jr. by supporting students who have lost a parent so they can stay on track and complete their education.
Any undergraduate student who has lost a parent and is pursuing a major related to education may apply for this scholarship.
To apply, tell us why you have chosen to pursue a career as a teacher.
Why have you chosen to pursue a career as a teacher? Please share how this decision was influenced by your loss of a parent.
Winners and Finalists
Winning Application
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FAQ
The application deadline is Jul 8, 2025. Winners will be announced on Aug 8, 2025.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Aug 8, 2025. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.