Applications Open For the 2024 Don Watkinds Scholarship

The SI Diversity, Disability, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is now accepting applications to the Don Watkinds Scholarship for the 2024 season! 

 

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Coach Donald Watkinds’ Scholarship was established in 2017 to enable person(s) of a diverse background, circumstance, ability, or hardship to participate in the sport of swimming. The award will pay swim-related expenses for the chosen San Diego Imperial Swimming athlete(s). The intent of the award(s) is to encourage the growth of the sport of swimming through outreach to underserved and/or diverse communities in the San Diego region.

 

The Fund is named in honor of Coach Donald Watkinds, who focused on each individual swimmer’s unique abilities, and character. Don encouraged individual accomplishment through the values of (FIRST) Fun, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Team.

 

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

The intent of the award(s) is to enable person(s) of a diverse background, circumstance, ability, or hardship to participate in the sport of swimming.

 

𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮:

• At the time of award, the swimmer must be an active athlete in good standing registered with USA Swimming under the San Diego Imperial Swimming (SI) region.

• The athlete must be a passionate swimmer who has consistently exhibited the character and values that Coach Donald H. Watkinds taught through his coaching.

• Selection will focus on the character of the individual regardless of competitive performance level.

• The selection of the recipient will consider the values of diversity, disability, equity, and inclusion (background, physical or mental disability, hardship).

• The selection of the recipient will consider financial need if documentation is provided. USA Swimming registered Outreach athletes are encouraged to apply.

 

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆

All applicants must submit the following:

1. Filled out Scholarship Application Form

2. Evidence of financial need - OPTIONAL but recommended

3. Personal Statement

 

Award applicants should write a short personal statement (minimum 1 page, but no more than 5 pages) describing why they believe they are a good candidate for the Don Watkinds Scholarship. The applying child must be the author of the statement. Parents may assist younger children, or English-speaking friends may assist with language translation. Consider including information about past experiences, why swimming is important to you, and/or how you think the award would benefit you. It is acceptable to submit media such as pictures, art, or video (please make sure they are in a standard easy-to-review format).

 

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 to the Google Form 𝗢𝗥 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 June 30, 2024, 𝟏𝟏:𝟓𝟗𝐏𝐌 𝗣𝗦𝗧. 

 

San Diego-Imperial Swimming DEI

c/o Maria Davila Cadena

2000 City Walk Way Apt 307

Charlottesville, VA 22902

 

𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 MUST 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 June 30, 2024 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁. 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 July 31, 2024. 

 

For any questions or concerns, please contact SI Diversity, Disability, Equity, & Inclusion Chair, Maria Davila ([email protected]).