Marcus Stroman Scholarship

The 2025 California wildfire season has left a path of devastation, with Pasadena and Altadena communities deeply impacted. Homes have been destroyed, families displaced, and entire neighborhoods left to rebuild in the wake of relentless fires. Beyond the immediate destruction, these wildfires have placed an immense financial and emotional strain on students and their families, making the pursuit of higher education feel more uncertain than ever.

For many high school seniors in Pasadena and Altadena, the dream of attending college has been overshadowed by the urgent need to help their families recover. The financial burden of tuition, coupled with the economic instability caused by the wildfires, creates significant barriers for students who are determined to continue their education.

Understanding the immense challenges students face, New York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman established the Marcus Stroman Scholarship, an initiative of his Height Doesn’t Measure Heart (HDMH) Foundation. The HDMH Foundation is dedicated to empowering in-need youth, helping them rise above their circumstances, reach their full potential, and achieve their dreams. 

In its second year, the Marcus Stroman Scholarship now seeks to uplift students from Pasadena and Altadena, California, particularly those whose families have been impacted by the 2025 wildfires. This scholarship will provide two students with $25,000 each to help them pursue their college education without the added stress of financial uncertainty.

Marcus Stroman’s journey – both in baseball and in life – demonstrates the power of persistence, determination, and resilience. His college education at Duke University played a crucial role in shaping his success, and he remains a strong advocate for higher learning. Through this scholarship, he hopes to ease these financial burdens so that students can focus on excelling in college and beyond.

Any high school senior from Pasadena or Altadena with a 3.0+ GPA who identifies as low-income is eligible to apply for this scholarship.

To apply, students must submit an essay and video describing the college of their dreams, why they wish to continue their education at that university, and how the 2025 wildfires have impacted their goals and aspirations.