Merit-Based Scholarships

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. This scholarship is for students who demonstrate leadership through extracurricular activities in their school or community.

Awards are based on:

1. An eight to ten minute presentation. Students should explain how they accomplished a personal or shared goal that benefited their school, parish, or community. What initiative did they personally take to move others toward meeting this goal? How does this goal reflect their personal values? What did they learn about their own personal strengths and weaknesses as a leader while working to meet this goal?
2. Letter of recommendation. Please submit ONE letter of recommendation from an eighth grade teacher, pastor, or a member of the community who can speak on behalf of the student’s leadership ability. If more than one letter is submitted, the judges will only read the first one that is received.  

Applicants will be evaluated on the content and delivery of the presentation, and letter of recommendation. The letter must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 8, 2021 via email attachment (as a Word document or PDF) to leadershipscholarship@smrhs.org. The subject line of your email should be: student's first and last name, Leadership. Example: John Smith, Leadership

The winner of the Leadership Scholarship will be required to participate in student-driven SMR events and programs.

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. This scholarship, in memory of Laurie Collins '92, is designed to recognize students who, like Laurie, demonstrate a love of school, family and church. To apply, students must submit a 300-500 word essay describing ways they demonstrate love for family, school and church. Essays (typed and double-spaced) must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 10, 2021 via email attachment (as a Word document or PDF with student's name typed on the document) to lauriecollinsscholarship@smrhs.org. The subject line of your email should be: student's first and last name, Laurie Collins. Example: John Smith, Laurie Collins

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. This scholarship, in memory of Blaine Whorl '02, recognizes students who share Blaine's passion and interest in history and the community.

To apply, students must submit a 300-500 word essay on ONE of the following topics:

1. Describe a meeting with your favorite historical figure. Within the essay, discuss why you chose this person and what questions you would like to ask this person.
2. In your opinion, what has been the most significant historical event in United States history? Discuss why this event merits the title of “most significant," and what you think the United States would be like if this event had not taken place.

Essays (typed and double-spaced) must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 8, 2021 via email attachment (as a Word document or PDF with student's name typed on the document) to blainewhorlscholarship@smrhs.org. The subject line of your email should be: student's first and last name, Blaine Whorl. Example: John Smith, Blaine Whorl

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students who are active in service to their school, parish or community. The award is based on a student's community service and an essay. Applicants awarded this scholarship will be required to work with Campus Ministry on service opportunities already in place and will work to create new service initiatives for students. To apply, students must submit a 300-500 word essay and a list of community service activities. In your essay, please answer the following: Describe why you chose a particular service opportunity and what it means to you. How does this service increase your awareness of your relationship with God? (Community service activities should be listed separately, not as part of your essay.) Essays (typed and double spaced) must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 8, 2021 via email attachment (as a Word document or PDF with student's name typed on the document) to communityservicescholarship@smrhs.org. The subject line of your email should be: student's first and last name, Community Service. Example: John Smith, Community Service

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. All Dance Scholarship competitors should plan to be at SMR at 8 am on January 23.

Awards are based on auditions consisting of four parts as follows:

1. Using ballet, jazz, or modern technique, students should perform a short piece of their own choreography to music of their choice. If your primary dance training is in a style of dance other than ballet, jazz, or modern, the audition solo may be performed in this style with prior permission. Music may be on CD, iPad or phone and the chosen piece should not be longer than 1½ minutes. Leotards, tights, and appropriate shoes should be worn. No costumes please.
2. Students should be prepared to repeat and identify terms of a choreographed combination demonstrated by the facilitator.
3. Students should be prepared to display a strong knowledge of dance terms by performing combinations that are merely spoken and not demonstrated.
4. Students will be evaluated on a short improvisation piece to music provided.
5. The audition will follow this format: group warm-up, center work, turns, jumps, and traveling combinations in classical ballet, jazz, and contemporary or modern.  Other styles may be introduced, and students should participate in all parts of the group audition.  Solos and improvisation will be evaluated individually in registration check-in order.

Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Technical ability and placement
• Flexibility
• Strength, control, and balance
• Musicality
• Quality of movement
• Stage presence
• Dance background and knowledge
• Versatility in dance forms.

The winner of the Dance Scholarship will be required to participate in a dance course each year.

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. Awards are based on auditions. Students should be prepared to play:

1. The chromatic scale two octaves.
2. Prepared pieces:
   1. Find your instrument on the list below and be sure to prepare ALL pieces of music provided for your instrument.
   2. Play a piece of your choice.  This can be solo or something you are working on in band or orchestra.
3. One sight reading example of the adjudicator's choosing.

Students are responsible for providing their own instrument (and accompanist, if necessary), however, piano and larger percussion instruments will be provided.

Students will receive a rating in the following areas:

• Tone quality
• Phrasing
• Intonation
• Rhythmic accuracy
• Articulation
• Musicality
• Technique
• Dynamic accuracy
• Tempo.

The winner of the Instrumental Scholarship will be required to participate in Concert Band, Orchestra, or Jazz Band (whichever is applicable as determined by the student’s instrument) each year.

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. Awards are based on auditions. Students should be prepared to play:

1. Two contrasting pieces that demonstrate their ability on the piano. These two pieces are the students' choice.
2. One sight reading example of the adjudicator's choosing.

Students will receive a rating in the following areas:

• Phrasing
• Rhythmic accuracy
• Articulation
• Musicality
• Technique
• Dynamic accuracy
• Tempo

Piano Scholarship Requirements Play warm-ups in class for Mixed Chorus and Show Choir. Rehearse and accompany all choir groups for all masses, concerts, field trips, and performances outside of St. Mary’s Ryken (Examples include but are not limited to the Rotary Club Holiday Performance and the Leonardtown Tree Lighting Ceremony.). Accompany the St. Mary's Ryken Youth Honors Chorus during rehearsals and concert. Assist in accompanying students for Maryland State Solo & Ensemble. This is often a weekend event. The activities associated with this scholarship are part of the participating student’s grade for either the Mixed Chorus or the Show Choir. Transportation for all after school events will need to be arranged. The winner of the Piano Scholarship will be required to participate in Mixed Chorus during 9th and 10th grade and Mixed Chorus or Show Choir during 11th and 12th grade as an accompanist.

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. Awards are based on auditions. Auditions for scholarship will consist of two parts as follows:

1. One monologue from a published play selected by the student.
2. One song from a musical theatre production selected by the student. All audition material should be memorized.

A copy of both the monologue and the music should be provided to the judge. Students must provide their own accompanist. Students may audition with a CD if they wish, but the CD may not contain any vocals. Audition selections should not exceed ten minutes total time.

Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Characterization
• Technique
• Musicality
• Intonation
• Presentation.

The winner of the Theatre Scholarship will be required to: take Theatre Appreciation, audition for both theatrical productions (one straight play, and one musical) every year, and participate in Stage Guild for four years.

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. Students should select four of their best works. The four pieces should consist of:

1. One work of color
2. Two drawings (preferably in pencil)
3. A fourth piece should be three-dimensional (ceramic or sculpture), or another drawing or painting.

Work should be original, based on direct observation, and not copied from photos or magazines. All work should be matted, and not exceed 18"x24" in size. Sketchbooks may also be submitted. Student work will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Composition - Based on organization of the elements of art and design principles
• Craftsmanship - The overall appearance of the work
• Technique- The handling, experimentation and use of media
• Creativity - Uniqueness and originality of composition and use of material

One portfolio with all work and labeled with the student's name may be dropped off at the Romuald Hall Admissions Office during normal school hours, no later than January 8, 2021 at 4:00 P.M. The winner of the Art Scholarship will be required to participate in a visual art course each year.

Students with a B (85%/3.0) average may compete for this scholarship. Awards are based on auditions. Students should be prepared to sing two contrasting songs (no hymns) by memory. The songs are the student's choice and should not exceed a total of six minutes. A copy of each solo should be provided for the judge. Students are responsible for providing their own accompanist. If they wish, the student may sing with accompaniment music from a CD, or they may audition acapella.

Students will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Intonation
• Breath control
• Musicality
• Tone
• Production
• Presentation.

The winner of the Vocal Scholarship will be required to participate in Mixed Chorus during 9th and 10th grade and Mixed Chorus or Show Choir during 11th and 12th grade.

All students who have taken the High School Placement Test and have complete application packages as of January 8 are considered for the Presidential Scholarship for Academic Achievement. No additional application is required.