Oakwood Schools Foundation - Women Leading in STEM Scholarship Fund

The Women Leading in STEM Scholarship Fund honors the legacy of Katie Finnessy Proud, Oakwood High School Class of 1998. From an early age, Katie's determination set her apart. By seventh grade she had resolved to become valedictorian, a goal she achieved through intelligence, responsibility and exceptional time management. Her curiosity for science was strengthened at a Girls in Engineering Camp at the University of Dayton, which confirmed her calling in engineering and set her on a path of study built on both skill and passion. Katie pursued this path with excellence, but her promising career was tragically cut short by a cancer diagnosis and her passing while in graduate school. Katie's life, however, was never defined by academics alone. She was a leader in band and field hockey, where she showed the same dedication, teamwork and joy she brought to her studies. More than anything, Katie was a nurturing soul – kind, friendly, always looking out for others and the first to offer a helping hand. This scholarship celebrates Katie's life by honoring students, who, like her, embody compassion, empathy and a commitment to both excellence and community.

Applicants must:

• be a female, graduating from Oakwood High School,
• plan to major in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, mathematics),
• be accepted to a two-year, four-year, technical school or college or university,
• demonstrate a history of service to others (school, community, or faith-based organization),
• demonstrate financial need, and
• demonstrate compassion, empathy, and commitment to both excellence and community.

Applicants who are ranked in the top 10% of their class are not eligible to apply.

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