OTHS Educational Foundation

Pirate Pride Scholarship

Tuition at four-year schools keeps climbing, especially in Illinois. This scholarship gives deserving OTHS seniors a long-term, meaningful award to help with the cost of college, recognizing both their academics and their involvement at OTHS.

Start your application

Ottawa Township High School entrance with a Congratulations banner

$10,000per student, paid as $2,500 a year for four years

Up to 4seniors selected each year by the Foundation board

Aprilof your senior year is the deadline. The 2027 date will be announced, and recipients are honored at Honors Night.

What the Foundation looks for

More than grades

Academic accomplishments are considered, but they are only part of the picture. Participation in school activities, sports, events, programs and service organizations is just as important as academics when the Foundation chooses scholarship recipients.

Tell us everything you’ve been part of at OTHS and in the community, and ask recommenders who can speak to your involvement as well as your schoolwork.

Who can apply

Seniors who will enroll at a four-year college or university.

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at OTHS
A senior in good standing, with no major disciplinary infractions
Participation in an officially sanctioned OTHS activity
An essay of up to 800 words, in your own words, on the importance of OTHS in your educational journey
Two letters of recommendation from OTHS teachers or faculty
A current OTHS transcript

How the award works

Apply by the April deadline of your graduation year. Your two recommenders are emailed automatically when you submit. The exact 2027 date will be announced. Applications are submitted online using the form below.
Selection in April. The Foundation board chooses up to four students at its April meeting. Recipients are announced at Honors Night.
Freshman year. Send proof of admission, confirmation of enrollment and costs at your four-year school to receive your first $2,500.
Each following year. Send your transcript and proof of continued enrollment and costs, and keep at least a 2.5 GPA, to receive the next $2,500.

If you transfer, the scholarship can continue as long as you meet the same requirements at another four-year school. Not meeting any of the requirements can end the scholarship.

Recipients

Pirate Pride Scholarship recipients

Each recipient receives $10,000 for college, paid as $2,500 a year for four years.

2026

Inaugural class · 4 recipients

Brooklyn ByoneUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Lucas FarabaughAurora University
Joey LiebhartUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Madilyn SoulsbyUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Presented at the 2026 OTHS Honors Night on May 6, when the program was called the Academic Excellence Scholarship. Read the press release →

Online application

Apply for the Pirate Pride Scholarship

It takes about 30 minutes, plus your essay. Your progress is saved on this device as you type, so you can come back to finish.

Your transcript as a PDF or photo
Names and school emails of two OTHS teachers or staff who will recommend you
Your essay (you can paste it in), plus whether you used any AI tools

About you

First nameLast name

Date of birthCumulative OTHS GPA

Street address

CityStateZIP code

Your phoneYour email

Parent or guardian name(s)

College plans Four-year college or university you plan to attend Future academic and career plans

Your time at OTHS

The Foundation weighs your involvement just as heavily as your academics, so be thorough.

School activities, sports, clubs, events and programs at OTHS Include years and any leadership roles Service organizations, community and volunteer work Honors and recognition

Essay

In 800 words or fewer, summarize your accomplishments, achievements and overall experience at OTHS. Explain how your journey at OTHS has prepared you for college, highlighting your accomplishments or most important memories. Feel free to recognize teachers and staff who made a meaningful impact.

Your essay

0 / 800 words

Your essay must be your own writing. Spell-check and grammar tools are fine, but essays written by AI tools (such as ChatGPT) will not be accepted. The selection committee may ask finalists about their essay.

Did you use any AI tools while preparing your essay?

Recommendations

List two OTHS teachers or faculty members. As soon as you submit, each one automatically gets an email at the address you enter here, with a link to submit their recommendation online. Double-check their school email addresses.

Recommender 1 nameRecommender 1 email

Recommender 2 nameRecommender 2 email

Transcript Upload your current OTHS transcript PDF or photo

Confirm I am an OTHS senior in good standing with no major disciplinary infractions, and I have taken part in an officially sanctioned OTHS activity. I understand that if selected I must provide proof of admission, enrollment and costs, and keep a 2.5 GPA in college, to receive each year’s award. My essay is my own work. I did not use AI to write it, and I have accurately described any AI use above. The information in this application is true and complete. Type your full name as your signature