Doug Semon 'Zelmo' Scholarship Supporting Grants for FIRST®

Purpose: Honors the legacy of Doug Semon, technology pioneer and dedicated mentor, by fostering passion, excitement, and self-confidence in the next generation of science and technology leaders.

Background: Doug Semon was the beloved husband of 2010 WIT (Women in Technology) honoree Leslie Ellis. He had a successful career in the cable industry and was a dedicated mentor for George Washington High School's FRC Team 1410, "The Kraken," supporting the FIRST Robotics program in Denver. He passed away unexpectedly in 2020.

Establishment: Created by the SCTE Foundation in partnership with past SCTE/WICT Women in Technology Award honorees.

Eligibility:

• Active high school FIRST teams
• Teams must be nominated by professionals in the broadband industry

Award Use: Grants support teams' ongoing participation in FIRST® Robotics Competition, part of the world's leading youth robotics community.

Focus Areas:

• Hands-on STEM education
• Inclusive leadership
• Innovative engineering
• Building confidence in young people
• Preparing students for technical careers and lifelong success

Geographic Scope: High school FIRST teams across the United States (example recipient from Denver, Colorado)

Application Process

Required Information:

• Applicant name (first, middle, last)
• Email address
• Phone number
• Full address (street, city, state, ZIP)
• Country
• Employer/Organization
• Essay: Explain why you are applying for these funds

Submission: Online application form available on the SCTE Foundation website.