Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship — Overview and Application Instructions
About the Scholarship
The Josie Washington Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Josie Washington, a dedicated member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Kappa Zeta Chapter, and a longtime educator in the Dallas Independent School District who spent much of her career at Lincoln High School. Mrs. Washington was active in numerous organizations and volunteered widely; she left an endowment to her sorority. The Kappa Zeta Chapter established this scholarship to recognize her generosity and commitment to the community.
Purpose and Award
This scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who exemplifies the qualities of an “Unsung Hero.” An Unsung Hero is a student who has overcome significant circumstances or has performed humanitarian, community, school, or faith-based service that demonstrates courage, selflessness, or leadership. The recipient will be chosen based on submitted materials, letters of recommendation, and an interview. The scholarship winner will be recognized in Spring 2026.
Eligibility
- Must be a high school senior who resides in and attends school in Dallas County (some exceptions may apply; see the application for details).
- Must plan to continue education after high school at a 2‑ or 4‑year college/university or an accredited technical/trade school.
Important Dates
- Submission window opens: November 16, 2025
- Submission deadline: January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM (late entries will not be accepted)
Application Requirements — Google Drive Folder Setup
All applicants must assemble their materials in a Google Drive folder and share that folder link in the scholarship application. Follow these steps precisely:
1. Create a main Google Drive folder named: First Last_25-26 KZ Scholarships
(Example: Jane Doe_25-26 KZ Scholarships)
2. Change the folder’s sharing settings so that “anyone with the link” may view.
3. Inside the main folder create six subfolders with the exact contents described below:
a. Official Transcript (Unweighted GPA — 4.0 scale)
- Upload a copy of your official high school transcript showing unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale and class rank. (Request an unweighted copy from your counselor.)
b. Community Service/Volunteer Hours
- Provide a single consolidated document listing each volunteer activity, dates, and hours, plus a summed total of hours.
c. Student Extracurricular Activities
- Provide a single consolidated document listing clubs, organizations, positions held, awards, and dates of participation.
d. Recommendation Letters
- Upload two (2) letters of recommendation. Acceptable recommenders include a high school teacher, administrator, counselor, community leader, minister/church leader, or a supervisor from work or a community service project.
e. Scholarship Essay (PDF)
- Upload a PDF named to include the scholarship title (for example: Josie Washington Memorial Essay). Essay prompt: In 500 words or less, identify who your hero is and explain why, including how that person’s actions have changed your life.
f. Headshot (JPEG or PNG)
- Upload a recent head-and-shoulders photo in JPEG or PNG format.
Final Application Steps
4. Complete the online application form (link provided on the scholarship page).
5. In the application, paste the shareable Google Drive folder link into the field labeled “Required Documentation for All scholarships.” Confirm again that the folder is set to “anyone with the link” may view.
Deadline Reminder
All application materials and the shared Google Drive folder link must be submitted by January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
For additional details, exceptions, or to download a student checklist, please refer to the application packet on the Kappa Zeta scholarship page.