UDHS presents internal scholarship awards
Upper Darby High School’s internal scholarship awards were presented to more than 200 members of the Class of 2020 via a well-managed technical “virtual” ceremony on Upper Darby’s YouTube channel May 28. Each recipient was pictured in “cap and gown” as his/her scholarship was presented.
These Upper Darby internal scholarship awards annually provide important financial supplements to the many other scholarships and grants which have already been awarded from the universities which the Upper Darby grads will be attending in the fall.
Upper Darby’s internal scholarship awards are unique and historic. They have been donated by past school system staff, graduates, labor unions, community organizations, every Home and School Association, and individual families who have established awards in memory of loved ones, and other donors.
Standing out among these Upper Darby High School internal scholarships is the MendenhallTyson, its most prestigious and historic award. It is a living memorial to two former Upper Darby School District superintendents, Hendrickson
Mendenhall and John Tyson. Its legacy is the highest achieving Upper Darby grads each year who received the Mendenhall-Tyson Scholarship, graduated from one of the best universities in our nation, and then went on to great career success. The MendenhallTyson Scholarship dates to 1928 and recognizes the highest levels of academic achievement, school involvement, ethical character, and citizenship among Upper Darby High School students.
The Mendenhall-Tyson Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors which includes school system administration, high school staff, District residents, alumni and School Board representatives, and several honorary memberships. In 1998, the foundation assets were greatly enhanced through the generous bequest of well over one half million dollars from a former Upper Darby School District educator, Janice Guiesinger.
Each Mendenhall-Tyson Scholarship is currently worth $28,000 ($7,000 each year). And, as of September of 2020, there will be 16 Upper Darby High School Mendenhall Tyson Scholars studying at an array of high-powered universities. This will include four new Mendenhall-Tyson scholars from Upper Darby High’s Class of 2020 who will commence their university studies in September.
The university choices of past and present Upper Darby Mendenhall-Tyson scholars include an outstanding array of higher education schools in the USA. And among the academic study areas of the Upper Darby MendenhallTyson scholars currently at universities are: Astrophysics; Electrical engineering; Cancer research; Pre-Med; Neuroscience;
Software engineering; Statistical and Quantum Mechanics; Bone density research; Growth patterns of children; and Nursing.
Since its inception, there have been more than
120 recipients of the Mendenhall-Tyson Scholarship which launched them into successful professions and helped each to make a difference for the better in our world.
In summary, Upper Darby High School’s Senior Awards Night was once again a well-deserved salute to the many outstanding members of the graduating class.
Beyond the MendenhallTyson Scholarship, there were 200 other internal scholarship awards worth
$400,000 given to many outstanding members of Upper Darby’s “Class of
2020.” It was indeed an evening of pride and joy for parents and families and of course, the student honorees. This is an ongoing illustration that the best traditions of Upper Darby High School are alive and well.