2013-2014 Application Criteria and Process 

The 2013-2014 SPIRIT Scholarship
The Robert Yin SPIRIT Foundation Inc. is excited to host the 4th 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. 

30 Applications Accepted on a 1st-Come Basis
Only the first thirty applications will be accepted. Once fifty applications are received, the ability to apply will be closed. The application process includes submitting an application, and writing about personal values. The online application and recommendation for the SPIRIT are open between February 7 and Sunday, April 6, 2014. The SPIRIT Foundation has asked staff from WHS to nominate a handful of students this year, in order to help with outreach and to encourage students to apply. However, all student are welcome to apply.

Tips for a winning submission
The typical Wootton kid is like Robert and his good friends. You are happy, talented, brimming with energy, and ready to capture the world. Show us how you “Show Potential, Integrity, Responsibility, and Inspire Thousands!” Neatness counts, so proofread your writing before you submit. Touch on each criteria. Specifically address the question asked of you in the writing element. We do NOT want only a high-achieving resume or GPA, per se, we want good moral character and a loving personality.
You can Win the 2014 SPIRIT Scholarship.
Write an essay first, do a video later...

Robert Yin said, "I will create a better life for myself and others." 

Share YOUR speech and story about YOUR idea.

Dedication to diversity
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.

Privacy Policy
SPIRIT Foundation values your privacy and will not release your email or personally identifying information to 3rd parties. The identities of SPIRIT Scholarship applicants are confidential, and are known only to the Foundation member and a team of Wootton HS staff who are helping with the scholarship process. Your application may be subject to fact checking during the judging process. The name and essay/speech of the winners will be announced publicly first at the WHS awards assembly in May 2014, and on the www.RememberRobert.org website. The winning video will be viewed over the internet on YouTube. 

The SPIRIT Scholar shall meet the following criteria:
  1. You show potential, integrity, responsibility, and inspire thousands! 
  2. You are reliable, active in, and committed to school and extracurricular programs, over multiple years. You show strength and talent across a broad swarth of academics, athletics, and arts or performing arts, rather than a single specialty. You are a good citizen, leader, and team member. You help your community and friends with a positive and constructive attitude.
  3. You are a Wootton senior, with a minimum 2.5 GPA, and you plan to attend an accredited U.S. college or university. 
  4. You participated significantly 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
  5. You participated significantly 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, community organizations, and faith-based groups
    6. Community Service
  6. Craft a speech and story about your idea or work - approximately 300-600 words is a suggested but not mandatory guideline - answering: Robert Yin said, "I will create a better life for myself and others."
  7. Apply online using the "SPIRIT Scholar Application" form no later than Sunday, April 6, 2014.
  8. You must attend the annual WHS awards assembly, in May 2014, at which WHS will announce the SPIRIT Scholar winner(s). A lunch reception will follow in the WHS Career Center, and all applicants and their families are invited to attend. 
  9. You optionally may submit a video with your application, if you wish. The video is only mandatory for the SPIRIT Scholarship winner(s) and due in June, 2014, yet if anyone is moved to create a video early and despite no guarantee that you will win, then God bless you, and thank you! We would love to see it!
  10. Additionally, the Terms and Conditions listed here also apply.
And if you win:
  1. The selected winner must produce and post an original YouTube video - created specifically for the SPIRIT Scholarship competition:
    1. Submit a draft video to SPIRIT Foundation by June 15 for a check-in on your progress - review, feedback, etc. (Either post as private and unlisted on Youtube, or send via email.)
      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 copyrighted audio or video material without license or permission of the original artist, because that is illegal.
      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.
    2. Submit a completed video by June 30, 2014. Failure to do so may result in your disqualification as a SPIRIT Scholar winner.
      1. Allow public viewing.
      2. Include the YouTube metadata tags: Robert Yin SPIRIT Scholarship 2014.
Terms and Conditions:
  1. Rules:
    • 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 SPIRIT Scholar applications, recommendations, essays, or videos on the www.rememberRobert.org website or post applicants' videos the SPIRIT Foundation's YouTube account, http://www.youtube.com/user/rememberRobertYin.
    • If the Foundation receives multiple applications from the same applicant, the latest submission received by the April 6 deadline is the one that will count.
    • If the applicant does not attend the Awards assembly, barring unforeseen extenuating circumstances, the Foundation reserves the right to give awards to candidates who do attend the announcement.
    • 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. 
      • Students and parents or guardians: please advise the Foundation of any requests you have regarding award distribution in advance. For example, if there is negative impact due to an existing 529 Account or college financial aid package.
      • If the winner is considering "deferred enrollment" for the freshman year, the Foundation will support a deferred enrollment decision.
    • The Foundation may optionally give either video and/or runner-up awards, with the amount to be determined.
  3. The Foundation will inform applicants by email on or after the April deadline to acknowledge receipt of the application.
  4. Email rememberRobert@gmail.com, if you have questions or updates.

Was Robert Yin a SPIRIT Scholar?