Scholarship Offerings for Seniors

The Poway High Alumni Association has provided over $100,000 in scholarships to PHS students going to college or trade school. Completed applications are to be dropped off at the Poway High counseling office. You will be contacted as to whether an interview will be scheduled with the scholarship committee. Recipients with be recognized at the Poway High Awards ceremony in May. Applicants can not be family members of Poway High Foundation or Alumni Association board members or officers. If you have a questions, please email scholarship@powayhighalumni.org.

Please submit your scholarship application by April 20th.

Alumni Association Scholarship

The Poway High School Alumni Association establishes this scholarship to recognize outstanding service, dedication and achievement of a Poway High School senior planning on attending a university or trade school. This scholarship is funded through donations to the Alumni Association.

Julie Cross Memorial Scholarship

The Poway High Alumni Association is proud to establish the Julie Cross Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating Poway High student who is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or a related field. Julie Cross graduated from Poway High in 1972 and then graduated from San Diego State University. After two years in law enforcement with the San Diego Police Department, Julie was appointed a United States Secret Service Special Agent. In June of 1980, while on assignment with the Los Angeles Field Office, Special Agent Cross died in the line of duty during a confrontation with two armed assailants during a counterfeit surveillance. Special Agent Cross was the first female Secret Service Special Agent killed in the line of duty. For her service and sacrifice, Julie Cross was inducted into the Poway Titan Hall of Fame in 2023.

Todd Gutschow Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is established by the Family of Todd Gutschow to recognize Poway High School students who are passionate about their area of study and the community. Todd was as software entrepreneur, public education advocate, committed to improving children's lives, and past School Board President of the Poway Unified School District. Most recently Todd was engaged in a number of leadership roles with various children related non-profit organizations. In particular, much of his time was spent with organizations focused on improving K-12 public education. In his earlier career, he co-founded HNC Software in 1986 to develop products and applications using neural network technology. Using this technology, HNC developed a number of applications in the banking, insurance and telecommunications industries. HNC's first large success was in the area of credit card fraud detection which is able to monitor credit card usage and determine, in near real-time, if there is suspicious or fraudulent activity.

Coach Bob Champion Tribute Scholarship

This scholarship is established by the Poway High Alumni Association and Robert H. Champion for Poway High School students who are passionate about their area of study, the environment, and athletics. Champ began his teaching and coaching career at Poway High in 1972. During his 34 years at PHS, he taught Oceanography, Science and Physics and coached numerous sports including soccer, football, golf, lacrosse and track. He started the soccer program at Poway High and finished his career with 483 victories and three CIF championships. In addition, Coach Champ started and led the Varsity Club at Poway High that helped student-athletes focus on leadership, goals and values. Champ was passionate about the ocean environment and started a club called C.A.R.E.D (Coastal Area Research and Environmental Development) where he led his students on hundreds of field trips to study and measure coastal erosion and change. Champ was also adamant about teamwork throughout the campus and worked hard to promote unity amongst the Emerald Brigade Band and the athletics department. In 2008, Champ was inducted as a Charter member of the San Diego County High School Coaching Legends by the San Diego Hall of Champions. In short, Coach Champion dedicated most of his adult life to the students of Poway High School. He made a positive impact on thousands of lives and this tribute scholarship was set up to continue his strong commitment to education, the environment, athletics, and the Poway High community.

HaskeL TODD Memorial Scholarship

Haskel Todd attended Poway schools from elementary through high school. He graduated from Poway High School in 1977. He faced many difficulties in his childhood and used athletics as a way to escape. Whether it was baseball, basketball or football or anything else, Haskel was passionate about sports and he was a success on the field. At times, though, academics were a struggle for Haskel and his hopes to get an athletic scholarship for college were ended with multiple injuries suffered on the field.

Haskel Todd passed away on December 31, 2017. Prior to his death, Haskel made provisions to provide funding for a scholarship in his name at Poway High School. The purpose is to assist PHS students that are passionate about sports but who may need a financial boost to overcome hardships in order to pursue educational opportunities beyond high school.

Closed Scholarships

Jason Appel Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is established by the Poway High Alumni Association in memory of Poway High graduate Jason Appel who graduated from Poway High in 1989. During his time at PHS, Jason excelled in academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities. But he was more than that: he was the kid that everyone knew and liked; he always had a kind word to say and he always had a smile on his face, In short, Jason Appel made PHS a better place for all. After graduating from PHS, Jason lived his adult life in the same manner: bringing people together and going out of his way to improve the lives of those around him. Tragically, Jason passed away in September 2014. To honor the memory Jason’s life, his family, friends and the Poway High Alumni Association have established the Jason Appel Memorial Scholarship.