Thanks to the generosity of alumni and community donors, the Blackhawk School District Educational Foundation (BSDEF) is proud to offer a variety of scholarships and award opportunities to members of the Blackhawk High School Class of 2026.

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By completing a single online application form through our website, students will be considered for all scholarships and awards for which they are eligible. All application information will be verified with the Blackhawk High School Guidance Office. Each application is carefully reviewed by a committee made up of BSDEF Board members, designated donors, and representatives from the Guidance Office and Administration.

 

Applications will open in late 2025 or early 2026. Please return to this website for the most up-to-date information.

 

As of October 1, 2025, the following scholarships are available through the Blackhawk School District Educational Foundation:

 

Friends of Lacrosse Scholarship - $1,000

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize a female Blackhawk Lacrosse player seeking advanced education who has demonstrated a love for the game and her teammates throughout her high school lacrosse career.   Applicants must meet the following criteria:

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• Female high school senior at Blackhawk High School

• Member of the Women’s Lacrosse Team during her senior year

 

Through the BSDEF scholarship application, the eligible applicants should demonstrate leadership on and off the field through their application essay responses.

 

This award was inspired by the 2025 lacrosse team, coaches, staff, and parents to recognize the tremendous success of the 20-year program under long-time coach Kevin White and the countless young ladies who have represented Blackhawk High School with lacrosse skills and leadership qualities.

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​Friends of Pat Morris Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

Patricia A. Morris was a good friend to so many, so good that when she passed away in 2021, her best friend – Kathy Sprague – wanted to make sure her memory lived on. The Friends of Pat Morris Memorial Endowment was created to honor her by providing graduating seniors with a $1,000 scholarship to help them get a jump on college right out of high school … instead of having to wait for over 20 years as she did as a non-traditional student while working full time.  Since this world needs more ‘Pats’—with such a big heart for others that sometimes it left her heartbroken—the scholarship will be awarded to the graduate who best resembles three of her big loves in life:  (1) plans to attend Geneva College in the fall following graduation; (2) is a member of the United Methodist Church; (3) is enrolled as a music or art major at any college.

 

Being of strong faith – Pat realized perfection only exists in heaven – so a match of all three is not expected. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to an applicant who shares one or more of Pat’s biggest loves in life, other than her friends.

 

May God bless the scholarship winner with this small monetary award and the gift of great friendships like “The Friends of Pat Morris” shared with her for so long. She is missed but won’t be forgotten!

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Harry C. Raab Memorial Scholarship - $500

The Harry C. Raab Memorial Scholarship has been established by Jennifer Raab in loving memory of Harry C. Raab — a devoted husband, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, and the guiding force behind bringing the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to the Blackhawk School District.

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This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a Blackhawk High School graduating senior who:

• Plans to pursue post-secondary education (college, trade school, or ministry).

• Has maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0.

• Exemplifies the values Harry lived by: faith, integrity, compassion, and a heart for others.

 

This scholarship honors these core values that were fundamentals in Harry's life:

• INTEGRITY (Proverbs 11:3) – Living with Christ-like wholeness in both private and public life.

• SERVING (John 13:1–17) – Following Jesus’ example of humility and service to others.

• TEAMWORK (Philippians 2:1–4) – Building unity in Christ through all relationships.

• EXCELLENCE (Colossians 3:23–24) – Striving to honor and glorify God in everything we do.

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Holly Hamilton EmpowerHER Scholarship - $1,000

The Holly Hamilton EmpowerHER Scholarship was created by the Fonner Family and Mikayla Beveridge in honor of Holly Hamilton, Blackhawk’s beloved women’s soccer coach, who continues to face her cancer battle with extraordinary strength, resilience, and grace.

 

This scholarship is more than a tribute—it is a call to action for students who lead with integrity, pursue excellence in all they do, and persevere through challenges with unwavering determination. Just as Coach Hamilton has inspired generations of athletes with her courage on and off the field, this award seeks to uplift and celebrate students who are making a meaningful impact in their schools, communities, and personal lives.

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The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior member of the Blackhawk High School women’s soccer team who has maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 and exemplifies the very qualities Holly has lived by: leadership, excellence, and determination.

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Judy Fusetti Education Award - $500

The Judy Fusetti Education $500 Award is made available in memory of Judith Fusetti.  This award is presented to a graduating senior who has been accepted to a post-secondary school and plans to major in Education. 

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Norma Murphy Memorial RN Scholarship - $1,000

The Norma Murphy Memorial RN Scholarship is a $1,000 award presented to a graduating senior who has been accepted to a post-secondary school and plans to pursue a career in nursing. This scholarship honors Norma Murphy, a registered nurse who worked for 41 years. She gave selflessly to her passion for providing excellent care to all whose lives she touched.

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Pitt Race / Stout Family Scholarship - $1,000 (three scholarships available)

​​The Pitt Race / Stout Family Scholarship was established in partnership with Jim and Kathy Stout to offer three (3) $1,000 annual scholarships to graduating students who demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and character who are planning to pursue a vocational/technical education after graduation in the fields of plumbing, electrical, carpentry, auto mechanics, or any other skilled trade.  If there are not enough qualified applicants meeting these criteria, these scholarships will be awarded to graduating students who are planning to attend an accredited two-year or four-year private or public university.

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Stephen and Andy Sekeres Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

​Stephen Sekeres was a dedicated, respected, and well-liked sixth-grade science teacher at Highland Middle School in the Blackhawk School District at the time of his death in December 1997.  Andy, a 1979 graduate of Blackhawk High School, was a cross-country runner who enjoyed the competition and camaraderie with his team members and coach, Mr. Naugle.  Andy passed away in a work accident in July 1983.  Bernadine Sekeres, wife of Stephen Sekeres and mother of Andy Sekeres, established this scholarship to honor the memories of Stephen and Andy. 

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The Stephen and Andy Sekeres Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship presented to a graduating student who was a dedicated member of the cross country or track team.  The applicant must have demonstrated and exhibited exemplary character and sportsmanship and earned the respect of their teammates during their high school career.  Furthermore, the applicant must have plans to attend a post-secondary education program during the same calendar year as graduation.

 

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