For the past five years, Stephen and Kristi Growdon have supported Shorecrest High School seniors through their Shorecrest College Opportunity Tribute (S.C.O.T.) Scholarship.
“Establishing and sustaining the SCOT Scholarships is our way of giving back to the Shoreline community and to the students of Shorecrest High School,” said Stephen, a former high school history teacher. He sat down with us to share what inspired the scholarship, how recipients are selected, and why the family entrusted Seattle Foundation to help sustain it for generations to come.
What prompted you to start the scholarship?
I was a high school teacher for 20 years, and worked with many students as they prepared for, and applied to, colleges. For many of these students the question of how they would pay for college was scarier than taking the SAT, seeking letters of recommendation, or even facing dreaded college rejection letters. We established the SCOT Scholarships to help remarkable students pay for tuition and not graduate from college with substantial debt.
What have you learned through the process of setting up and running the scholarship?
We have offered the SCOT Scholarships for each of the past five years. From the application process we have seen that there are many outstanding high school seniors in great need of financial assistance to attend the college of their choice. Each student has his or her own story to tell, life stories that are often compelling and inspiring. We want to support these amazing students in their college endeavors.
You have multiple applicants each year. How do you select your recipients?
We evaluate each applicant on three criteria: academic achievement (40%), financial need (40%), and outside activities (20%). We look for students who have demonstrated the grit needed to succeed in college, who have clear financial need, and who have shown an eagerness to help others and contribute in a meaningful way to society.
How does your role as an educator influence your selection?
I really enjoyed working with high school students. High school years are a fascinating and impressionable stage in a person’s life, and one where a caring adult can have a big impact. I saw the opportunity to help set students up for success after high school as a great opportunity, and a chance to give worthy students recognition, support and a vote of confidence.
Why did you select Seattle Foundation to be the conduit for these awards?
Seattle Foundation is the logical organization to manage the SCOT Scholarships going forward. We have funded the scholarship with an endowment to ensure that it will continue indefinitely. Seattle Foundation has the experience, people, outreach, and financial stability to manage our scholarship, ensuring Shorecrest students are supported for generations to come.
What advice do you have for others considering starting a scholarship?
My father had a wonderful motto that inspired us to take action: “Never suppress a generous impulse.” If you are considering starting a scholarship, our advice is simple: don’t overthink it, just begin. The impact you have on a young person’s trajectory far outweighs the administrative effort and cost. We hope others will listen to that internal nudge and find their own ways to invest in the next generation.
Is there anything else you want to share or that the public should know about S.C.O.T. scholarships?
We could not have started and managed the SCOT Scholarships for the past five years without the strong support and involvement of Suzanne Monson, and of the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation. We also want to recognize the staff of Shorecrest High School. They are an amazing and dedicated collection of educators, committed to supporting students and their families. Go Scots!
Photo: Pictured from left to right: Jocelyn Hudson (Counseling Secretary), Jenny Breed (Counselor), Wendy Friedman (Counselor), Camron Catt, Lyla Higgins, Ava Watson, Kristi Growdon, Stephen Growdon, Hermela Dagnachew, Lila Stannard, and Olive Ziliak.