2011-2012 Application Criteria and Process

The 2011-2012 SPIRIT Scholarship
The Robert Yin SPIRIT Foundation Inc. is excited to host the 2nd Annual SPIRIT Scholarship. The scholarship is a $5000 award given annually to a Thomas S. Wootton High School graduating senior who demonstrates school spirit, positive attitude, leadership qualities, and community involvement. As an acronym, SPIRIT stands for “Show Potential, Integrity, Responsibility, and Inspire Thousands!” The young SPIRIT Scholar who wins this award represents such values. 

Wootton is one of the Top Schools in the nation. Wootton students are recognized for their high achievements in science, humanities, music, arts, and sports. Wootton's students represent a diverse community of ethnic, national, and religious backgrounds. 

The Foundation encourages students from diverse educational and personal backgrounds to apply - as Robert, after whom the scholarship is dedicated, would want.

25 Applications Accepted on a 1st-Come Basis
Only the first twenty-five applications will be accepted. Once twenty-five applications are received, the ability to apply will be closed. The application and recommendations for the SPIRIT are open between March 4 and April 1, 2012. The application process includes submitting an application, writing about personal values, and posting an original YouTube video - created specifically for the SPIRIT Scholarship competition - all online.

Celebrate the Winners!
The winning SPIRIT Scholar will be announced on Friday, May 18, 2012 at an awards ceremony, at VisArts at Rockville Town Center. The monetary prize of $5000 will be paid to the accredited U.S. college that the SPIRIT Scholar will attend. The Foundation also awards up to five applicants (including the winner) $100 each for the SPIRIT Honor, a prize for outstanding videos. Its a party for friends and family, so be sure to bring your loved ones.


The applicant must meet the following criteria:
  1. The winning SPIRIT Scholar will have an exceptional record of showing potential, integrity, responsibility, and inspiring thousands. The winning SPIRIT Scholar is consistently active over multiple years, in both school and extracurricular programs. He or she characteristically displays a broad array of strengths and talents in academics, athletics, and arts or performing arts, rather than a single specialty. The winning SPIRIT Scholar is a good citizen, leader, and team member. He or she helps the community and friends with a positive, constructive attitude.
  2. The applicant will graduate from Wootton in the current school year, with a minimum 2.5 GPA, with plans to matriculate to an accredited U.S. college or university. 
  3. Provide your writing, in approximately 300-600 words as a suggested guideline, which speaks to one of the following topics (choose one): 
    1. Robert Yin said, "I will create a better life for myself and others." Can you imagine yourself saying those words someday? If so, tell us a story with you as protagonist, in the future, acting on that. 
    2. Inspired by a quote from local singer/songwriter Evan Polisar, "Every day's a memory... do what you know you should," tell us a story about when you did something good that will never be forgotten.
    3. Tell us a story about one thing or one person in the world who inspires you.
  4. Create an original YouTube video. The video must meet this criteria:
    1. Include an image of the applicant (for no less than 10 seconds) and his or her voice reading the essay. 
    2. Include a creative element:  slideshow, audio, photos, music track, video footage, etc. related to the essay.
    3. The video may not use pre-recorded copyrighted audio or video. If you use copyrighted material without license or permission of the original artist, you will be disqualified.
    4. State the applicant's first name. Stating the surname is optional. In order to protect and respect your privacy over internet, we ask you to not disclose your full name/address or other personally identifiable information.
    5. Include the YouTube metadata tags: Robert Yin SPIRIT Scholarship.
    6. Allow public viewing. Provide the video's url on your SPIRIT application, in order for the judges to view it via internet.
  5. Participated in at least 1 of the following school programs:
    1. Class Planning (e.g. Senior Planning) or Student Government
    2. Special Programs or Signature Programs offered through Wootton High School (e.g. Humanities & Arts, STARS, etc.)
    3. Music, fine arts, and dance classes
    4. Child development or Special Education
  6. Participated in at least 2 of the following extracurricular programs:
    1. Varsity sports
    2. Academic competitions, for example fairs, Science Bowl, Chemathon, mathletes, It’s Academic, etc.
    3. All-State performance festivals
    4. Performance groups (school or community-based)
    5. School clubs
    6. Community Service
  7. The applicant must apply online using the "SPIRIT Scholar Application" form no later than April 1, 2012.
  8. One teacher, who has known the applicant in a professional-to-student relationship, must recommend the applicant using the online "SPIRIT Scholar Recommendation" form by April 1, 2012.
  9. One friend of the applicant, who has known the applicant in a peer-to-peer relationship, must recommend the applicant using the online "SPIRIT Scholar Recommendation" form by April 1, 2012.
  10. The winning SPIRIT Scholar must attend, and all applicants are encouraged to attend, the awards ceremony and announcement of the SPIRIT Scholar winner on Friday, May 18, 2012 at an awards ceremony, at VisArts at Rockville Town Center.
  11. There is a $30 application fee, which includes application processing, plus complimentary admission to the May 18 Awards Celebration for the applicant plus two guests - with the intention you bring your parents or guardians. Register and pay fee HERE.
  12. Additionally, the Terms and Conditions listed here also apply.

Attention Wootton 2012: Got SPIRIT? Then, GO FOR IT!

Got SPIRIT? Then show us!


Tell us Your Story (choose one): 
  1. Robert Yin said, "I will create a better life for myself and others." Can you imagine yourself saying those words someday? If so, tell us a story with you as protagonist, in the future, acting on that. 
  2. Inspired by a quote from local singer-songwriter Evan Polisar, "Every day's a memory... do what you know you should," tell us a story about when you did something good that will never be forgotten. 
  3. Tell us a story about one thing or one person in the world who inspires you. 

Teachers and Friends - What is the Applicant's SPIRIT?


Terms and Conditions:
  1. Rules:
    • 25 Applications will be accepted on a 1st-Come Basis up until the deadline. Applications must fully meet criteria, and include the $30 Application Fee. 
      • Incomplete applications risk being disqualified.
      • The applicant's is responsible for the accuracy of his/her application, including name and other information.
    • The Foundation reserves the right to quote from the student's application, recommendations, and repost videos from the SPIRIT Scholar applicants with the SPIRIT Foundation's YouTube account, http://www.youtube.com/user/rememberRobertYin.
    • Immediate family members of the applicant may not recommend the applicant in the role as a teacher or friend.
    • If the Foundation receives multiple applications from the same applicant, or multiple recommendations by teachers or friends for the same applicant, the latest submission received by the April 1 deadline is the one that will count.
    • If the applicant does not attend the Awards Celebration, barring unforeseen extenuating circumstances, the Foundation reserves the right to give awards to candidates who do attend the celebration.
    • The Robert Yin SPIRIT Foundation reserves the right to change the Terms and Conditions without notice.
  2. Awards:
    • A $5000 monetary award will be given to the accredited U.S. college institution, to which the SPIRIT Scholar declares he or she will matriculate, during the summer before freshman year. The Foundation will contact the college to inform of the award and confirm enrollment. 
    • If the winner is considering "deferred enrollment" for the freshman year, the Foundation will support a deferred enrollment decision.
    • The Foundation wishes to award up to five applicants $100 each for the SPIRIT Honor, a prize for outstanding videos. 
  3. Judging:
    • The judging team will assess the applicant's long term contributions to student life, the essay, the YouTube video, and the recommendations. 
    • The judging team assesses the applicant's school and community background, accomplishments, and long-term commitments.
    • Family members of the Foundation or its judges may not apply.
    • The Foundation shall verify the winning SPIRIT Scholar.
  4. The Foundation will inform the applicants by email on or after April to acknowledge receipt of the application.
  5. Email rememberRobert@gmail.com, if you have questions or updates.

Was Robert Yin a SPIRIT Scholar?