How It Works

Donors can direct their contributions to particular funds. If you are interested in setting up a new named fund, contact us. Awards are generally not application based; awardees are nominated and selected in an objective and nondiscriminatory process by the school faculty and administration based on each award’s criteria. One hundred percent of donor contributions goes to awardees.

Named Funds

Alden Gilchrist Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established by Calvary Presbyterian Church in memory of music director and composer Alden Gilchrist (1930–2014), who tirelessly advocated music education in Bay Area schools. The fund provides extracurricular music lessons and performance opportunities for dedicated students who could not otherwise afford them. 2017–Present

Ari McGuire Memorial Award

This annual award, established by Carole De Nola and Joseph McGuire in honor of their son and Theater Tech alum Ari McGuire (1996—2019), goes to a student who embodies Ari’s community-building energy through empathy, loyalty, humor, hard work, and team spirit. 2022–Present

Dan Kryston Scholarship Fund

This annual scholarship fund was established in memory of Asawa SOTA theater educator Dan Kryston (1952–2011), who directed the school’s musical theater productions and was the originator of the school’s Musical Theater department. 2011–2018

Dr. Robert Squeri Award for Excellence in Visual Art

Artist, educator, and philanthropist Robert Squeri (1923–2018) established this annual five-person award program to enable gifted and extraordinary Visual Arts seniors to pursue studies in the arts and arts education. He also generously made provisions in his trust to fund the awards into the future. 1994–2022

FOSOTA Alumni Promise Award

Funded by FOSOTA, this award goes to a student who demonstrates the potential to advocate arts education and arts-based learning by building community and staying connected to Asawa SOTA after graduation. 2021–Present

FOSOTA Art for Change Award

Funded by FOSOTA, this award is for a student whose creative practices inform, challenge, inspire, and move communities toward understanding, acceptance, and change. 2021–Present

FOSOTA Arts Education Award

Funded by FOSOTA, this award honors a student whose creative practice or projects promote arts education and arts-based learning through outreach, inclusion, and mentorship to the broader student community. 2021–Present

Gordon Chalmers Award

Given annually to a student who has overcome adversity in order to excel, this award was established in memory of San Francisco native Gordon Chalmers (1939–2018), whose half-century career in the SFUSD fueled his passion to help students realize their dreams of attending college and making a difference. 2019–Present

Joe Rosenblatt Award

Established in memory of music educator and former Asawa SOTA principal Joe Rosenblatt (1941–2018), this annual award recognizes an unsung hero who has worked selflessly behind the scenes for the improvement of the school and community. 2018–Present

Marsha Pannone Scholarship Award

Given annually to a multi-talented student, this award was established in memory of multi-talented artist Marsha Pannone (1944–2003), who was head of the Visual Arts department from 1985 to 2003 and passionate about students reaching their highest potential and becoming thoughtful human beings. 2004—Present

Nick Karr Fund

Established in memory of 2007 Visual Arts alum Nick Karr (1989–2013), this fund provides nonrestricted scholarships. 2013–Present

Yvonne McClung Choreography Award

Yvonne McClung, former SOTA principal and dance educator, established this annual award for the student who excels in choreography. 2002–Present