Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship Fund

Geographic Scope: Rochester Hills, Michigan (Stoney Creek High School graduates only)

Background: The fund is established in memory of Emily Victoria Solek, a 2017 graduate of Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan and a rising senior at The University of Michigan's Ross Business School when she died in a fatal automobile tragedy. The scholarship was funded by over 3,600 people and created an endowment to honor Emily's legacy of zest for life, pursuit of joy, and compassion in connecting with individuals.

Purpose: To provide college scholarships to high school graduates of Stoney Creek High School who plan to pursue a four-year degree program at a college or university.

Award Details:

• Amount: Up to $8,000 per year (may vary based on endowment income)
• Recipients: One or two recipients per year based on qualifications, essays, and endowment income
• Awarded annually since 2021

Eligibility Requirements

1. High School: Must be a graduate of Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan
2. Education Plans: Must be pursuing a four-year college degree
3. Academic Achievement: Minimum cumulative GPA near 3.0
4. Extracurricular Activities: Meaningful involvement demonstrating important life skills (leadership, soft skills, personal growth)
5. Character Traits: Must demonstrate strong compassion, drive, and zest for life in supporting others at individual or community level
6. Financial Need: May be considered but is not a requirement

Selection Criteria

Applicants are evaluated based on:

• Academic achievement
• Extracurricular involvement and demonstrated life skills
• Character traits embodying compassion, drive, and zest for life
• Essay responses demonstrating how applicant acts on compassion

Administration

Administered by the Rochester Community Schools Foundation

Contact/More Information: https://rcs-foundation.org/scholarships/

Application Process

1. Primary Application: Complete the online application through the Rochester Community Schools Foundation website at https://rcs-foundation.org/scholarships/
   • Indicate your preference to be considered for the Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship
   • Prepare one essay as required by RCS Foundation
2. Additional Essay Requirement: Attach a second essay response specific to the Emily Victoria Solek Memorial Scholarship with the following prompt:
   • Prompt: "Please share a short story or commentary which demonstrates how you act on your compassion for others, either as individuals or to the broader community — you may wish to note how you invest your time and talents for other people, how you cultivate interpersonal relationships, or how you give your time or friendship to others in a special and personal way."

Required Materials

• RCS Foundation online application form
• One essay (RCS Foundation requirement)
• One additional essay response to the character/compassion prompt (Emily Victoria Solek-specific requirement)
• Reference letters (as noted on the scholarship website)

Submission Format

• Submit through RCS Foundation online application portal
• Attach additional essay to online application