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Established in 1995, the Padres Scholars program provides bright, yet financially challenged students, with a $7,000 scholarship to attend a four-year college or university.
Students are selected as eighth graders, based on the premise that middle-schoolers - who invariably face many temptations - might opt to stay focused on succeeding in school, graduate from high school, and pursue a college education if they had a guarantee that their good efforts would be rewarded with a scholarship. To date, 374 scholars have been selected and Padres' players, owners, corporate partners and front office staff have donated over $2 million - an investment in San Diego which will hopefully launch hundreds of community-conscious citizens into our society who will succeed and continue the cycle of support and giving.
Each year, Padres players donate money for scholarships, and the club matches their donations dollar-for-dollar, to fund 15 scholarships ($105,000 each year). The San Diego Union-Tribune, Qualcomm, and Point Loma Nazarene University have been valuable partners in this program.
Padres Scholars applicants are AVID students who have been nominated as the 8th Grade Standout at their particular middle school. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college-preparatory program which provides students with the academic support and counseling to succeed. Conceived by Clairemont High School English teacher Mary Catherine Swanson in 1980, AVID is now in place in schools throughout the world and has been highly successful in preparing under-served and under-represented students for college.
Friars unveil 2009 Padres Scholars class »
Padres Scholars class years correspond with the year in which they were selected as Padres Scholars. For a list of Padres Scholars and class photos for each year, please click on the appropriate link below:
 2009 Padres Scholars with Padres Players |
