The Stay Más Scholarship from the Taco Bell Basis is all about recognizing college students who’re chasing their desires and making them a actuality.
We selected the Stay Más Scholarship as a Instructor Choose as a result of it’s not your typical scholarship—it celebrates creativity, ardour, and individuality. As a substitute of specializing in grades or essays, college students ages 16 to 26 submit a brief video exhibiting what they’re captivated with and the way they wish to make an affect.
Rebecca (Hed) Manocchio, a visible arts lecturers, is aware of firsthand how life-changing this scholarship will be—she was a recipient herself! Now, as a instructor, she shares the chance together with her college students, encouraging them to observe their passions. Right here’s what Rebecca desires different lecturers to learn about this program.
What grade ranges or age teams is the scholarship finest suited to?
Because the scholarship is for college kids who’re from 16 to 26 years previous, highschool juniors and seniors are finest suited.
May this scholarship align with any particular scholar targets or instructional pathways?
I undoubtedly assume it may well! Because of the scholarship specializing in scholar passions, it may well align with mainly any objective or instructional pathway. Particularly, within the software video, your scholar can be requested to reply quite a lot of questions. One of many questions pertains to how the coed’s ardour aligns with their instructional targets. That is the place the Taco Bell Basis sees how your scholar plans to positively affect their neighborhood, nation, and even the world with their ardour by their instructional path.
How do college students react to this scholarship alternative?
I feel (and have skilled) that college students react very positively to the Stay Más Scholarship. The vast majority of college students I train are already very captivated with one thing. By having the scholarship software course of based mostly on the coed sharing their ardour, it doesn’t really feel like “additional work” or “homework.” As a substitute, they’re doing one thing that piques their curiosity!
College students are additionally very drawn to the appliance course of. It excites them that they get to make a video as an alternative of needing to write down one other essay.
You have been a recipient of this scholarship, proper? What did it imply to you?
I’m a four-time Stay Más Scholarship recipient! I acquired the scholarship for my duct tape artwork and fervour for sharing artwork with others. In my expertise, making artwork out of a nontraditional materials and deciding to pursue a inventive subject got here with folks not all the time being essentially the most supportive. I acquired the scholarship after a sequence of artwork rejection letters. The Stay Más neighborhood confirmed up once I wanted it essentially the most and helped present me reassurance, encouragement, confidence, and sources to assist me proceed to pursue my passions to the fullest.
How have you ever seen this scholarship affect others in a optimistic approach?
Since I’ve been a Stay Más Scholar since 2018, I’ve had the chance to fulfill so many fellow students. One of many prime methods I’ve seen the students impacted is thru the reduction of economic burdens attributable to pursuing the next schooling. I do know that different students in this system have been very blessed by the connections and friendships made as a result of scholarship!
How would you sum up your general impression of this scholarship program?
The web site and software are very clear. There are even extra sources, examples, and ideas offered to help your scholar by the method. I additionally significantly recognize that previous scholarship recipients are proven on the web site by pictures, movies, and articles.
What makes this scholarship stand out or really feel distinctive?
In case your scholar does obtain the scholarship, it’s not simply one other test within the mail. Your scholar can be recognized by an unimaginable group of students and leaders who need them to succeed.
How does this scholarship program help your college students?
On Taco Bell’s Stay Más Scholarship web site, it says that their mission is to “break down boundaries to coach and encourage the following era of leaders” and that their imaginative and prescient is to “gas each younger individual’s boldest ambition to create good.” Being a scholarship recipient myself, I can confirm that these two statements are 100% true. Not solely does the scholarship assist present reduction from the academic monetary burden, however help is offered by in-person and on-line occasions that assist develop your college students in order that they will proceed to dwell out their ardour surrounded by a neighborhood that believes in them.
Is there anything you’d like us to know?
After you could have had an extended day of instructing and resolve that you really want Taco Bell for dinner, please say “sure” when the cashier asks if you need to spherical up your invoice to contribute to the Stay Más Scholarship!