Initiatives

Awards

FOSOTA administers and funds scholastic awards that recognize Ruth Asawa School of the Arts students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, impact, or growth through their academics, creative practices, or community engagement. Awards not only honor individual recipients; they also shine a light on a revolutionary educational model that fosters inquiry, understanding, and agency through the artistic expression of our shared experience.

 
 

How It Works

Donors can direct their contributions to particular funds. If you are interested in setting up a new named fund, contact us. Awards are generally not application based; awardees are nominated and selected in an objective and nondiscriminatory process by the school faculty and administration based on each award’s criteria. One hundred percent of donor contributions goes to awardees.

Named Funds

 
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Alden Gilchrist Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established by Calvary Presbyterian Church in memory of music director and composer Alden Gilchrist (1930–2014), who tirelessly advocated music education in Bay Area schools. The fund provides extracurricular music lessons and performance opportunities for dedicated students who could not otherwise afford them. 2017–Present

 

Ari McGuire Memorial Award

This annual award, established by Carole De Nola and Joseph McGuire in honor of their son and Theater Tech alum Ari McGuire (1996—2019), goes to a student who embodies Ari’s community-building energy through empathy, loyalty, humor, hard work, and team spirit. 2022–Present

 

Caren Streb Award

Created to recognize an outstanding student in Asawa SOTA’s Creative Writing program, this award was established in memory of English teacher Caren Streb (1948–2023), whose infectious energy ignited curiosity and inspired positivity in her students during their high school years and beyond. 2024–Present

 
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Dan Kryston Scholarship Fund

This annual scholarship fund was established in memory of Asawa SOTA theater educator Dan Kryston (1952–2011), who directed the school’s musical theater productions and was the originator of the school’s Musical Theater department. 2011–2018

 
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Dr. Robert Squeri Award for Excellence in Visual Art

Artist, educator, and philanthropist Robert Squeri (1923–2018) established this annual five-person award program to enable gifted and extraordinary Visual Arts seniors to pursue studies in the arts and arts education. He also generously made provisions in his trust to fund the awards into the future. 1994–2022

 
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FOSOTA Alumni Promise Award

Funded by FOSOTA, this award goes to a student who demonstrates the potential to advocate arts education and arts-based learning by building community and staying connected to Asawa SOTA after graduation. 2021–Present

 
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FOSOTA Art for Change Award

Funded by FOSOTA, this award is for a student whose creative practices inform, challenge, inspire, and move communities toward understanding, acceptance, and change. 2021–Present

 
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FOSOTA Arts Education Award

Funded by FOSOTA, this award honors a student whose creative practice or projects promote arts education and arts-based learning through outreach, inclusion, and mentorship to the broader student community. 2021–Present

 
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Gordon Chalmers Award

Given annually to a student who has overcome adversity in order to excel, this award was established in memory of San Francisco native Gordon Chalmers (1939–2018), whose half-century career in the SFUSD fueled his passion to help students realize their dreams of attending college and making a difference. 2019–Present

 
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Joe Rosenblatt Award

Established in memory of music educator and former Asawa SOTA principal Joe Rosenblatt (1941–2018), this annual award recognizes an unsung hero who has worked selflessly behind the scenes for the improvement of the school and community. 2018–Present

 
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Marsha Pannone Scholarship Award

Given annually to a multi-talented student, this award was established in memory of multi-talented artist Marsha Pannone (1944–2003), who was head of the Visual Arts department from 1985 to 2003 and passionate about students reaching their highest potential and becoming thoughtful human beings. 2004—Present

 
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Nick Karr Fund

Established in memory of 2007 Visual Arts alum Nick Karr (1989–2013), this fund provides nonrestricted scholarships. 2013–Present

 
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Yvonne McClung Choreography Award

Yvonne McClung, former SOTA principal and dance educator, established this annual award for the student who excels in choreography. 2002–Present

 

Header image: A detail from artwork by Dr. Robert Squeri Award winner Montgomerie (Visual Arts 2021). Other images (from top): Alden Gilchrist courtesy Calvary Presbyterian Church; Dragon by Tim Mossholder; Graffiti by Maike und Björn Bröskamp; Paint by David Waschbüsch; Lotus by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS; Dancer by Heidi Alletzhauser Photography