Group of young girls in red athletic shirts and shorts walking on the street during a parade or event, smiling and waving.

Congratulations to our Santa Clara Parade of Champions 2026 Scholarship recipients!

Logo for the Santa Clara Parade of Champions, established in 1945, featuring a shield with a church, a trumpet, and a sock with a tassel.

And that’s a wrap on the 2026 Scholarship Season and Senior Awards!

A heartfelt thank you to all of the incredible students who applied to the Santa Clara Parade of Champions Scholarship Program this year. We were truly inspired by the strength of this applicant pool—outstanding academic achievement, dedicated volunteer service, and a deep commitment to community. Choosing recipients was not easy. Every application reflected hard work, leadership, and heart.

Congratulations to our Class of 2026 Santa Clara Parade of Champions Scholarship Recipients.

  • Wilcox: Michelle Wu

  • SCHS: Anushree Gupta

  • Kathleen MacDonald: Julio Andrey Cruz

  • MECHS: Ruby Nzeribe

We are so proud of the next generation of leaders emerging from our community. The future is bright, and you are already shaping it.

NEXT YEAR 2027 Scholarship candidates: Are you a high school senior student from the following High Schools: Santa Clara, Wilcox High, Kathleen MacDonald and MECHS, with outstanding achievements, community service hours, and aspirations for higher education?

The nonprofit Santa Clara Parade of Champions Scholarship program is here to recognize and reward your hard work and dedication.

Criteria: To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must demonstrate the following. Please note that community service hours with Santa Clara Parade of Champions is a plus!

  • Academic Excellence: Demonstrated academic achievement with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and is has been accepted at a university or 2-year community college in year 2026.

  • Leadership Skills: Active involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership roles serving community nonprofits in Santa Clara.

  • Community Impact: A proven commitment to making a positive difference with nonprofits in the Santa Clara and has met their community service hours prior to graduation of 50 or more.

  • Financial Need (optional): Preference may be given to students with demonstrated financial need, although all applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of financial status.

How to Apply online:

To apply for the nonprofit Santa Clara Parade of Champions Scholarship, please submit the following documents:

  • Completed application—scroll to Online Application button below.

  • Academic transcripts

  • Letter(s) of recommendation

  • Personal statement in a short essay format highlighting your achievements, aspirations, and contributions to the community.

We extended the deadline! All applications must be submitted by April 28, 2027. For questions regarding application, please contact Ana Vargas-Smith, President/Board, avsmith2014@gmail.com or call 408-394-2473.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to turn your achievements into opportunities! Apply now for the nonprofit Santa Clara Parade of Champions Scholarship and take the next step toward your academic and professional goals.

Online Application
Paper Application