2025 college scholarship application
OBJECTIVE
In order to acknowledge the hard work and commitment to excellence of its students and honor former San Carlos Children’s Theater board member and parent Gail Welter, a $250 scholarship will be awarded to 1 – 3 graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated strong leadership skills, high academic standards, and a commitment to community service and the arts.
ELIGIBILITY
The Gail Welter College Scholarship is open to all students who meet these requirements:
1) Student must be a 2025 graduating high school senior who is planning to enroll full time in an accredited community college, four-year college or university in fall 2025 or spring 2026.
2) Student must have demonstrated a commitment and allegiance to SCCT during some period while in grades 8-12 by either participating in two or more SCCT classes or productions (performer, musician, tech crew, jr. asst. dir., dance asst. makeup volunteer, sets volunteer, etc.), working in an SCCT class/camp program, serving as a Youth Advisory Board member, or SCCT volunteer in any capacity.
3) Student must have displayed positive character and leadership skills while working on both SCCT projects and service projects in the community at large.
4) Student must be able to provide proof of college acceptance/enrollment.
5) Student must submit the required application and brief written statement between May 1- July 1, 2025.
Applicants may reside in any city.
Applicants do not need to study Theater or Performing Arts in college.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1) All decisions are determined by SCCT’s College Scholarship Committee.
2) Financial need is not a requirement.
3) Scholarships may be used at the university, college, or community college of the student’s choice.
4) A scholarship check will be given directly to the scholarship recipients no later than August 31, 2025 after high school graduation.
Applications will be available spring 2025.
Honoring Gail Welter
Gail Bishop Welter was a strong advocate for the arts and a dedicated SCCT parent leader. Her journey with SCCT began in 2010 when her daughter performed in her first SCCT production Sleeping Beauty and the Beast. From that time on, Gail served in almost every role as a parent volunteer for the 30 shows in which her two children were involved. Gail convinced the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District to put on an SCCT production with Ralston Middle School. After a months-long effort, Willy Wonka, JR. opened in May of 2014 with Gail as the producer and both her children performing. Later that year, she joined the SCCT Board of Directors where she remained a key contributor for the next 10 years. Gail even stepped in front of the curtains in 2015 to perform in Bye Bye Birdie alongside her daughter (while her husband and son helped backstage).
The arts were incredibly important to Gail and she dedicated much of her time so that others could reap the benefits of arts education and participation. What started with a cast of 24 at Ralston Middle School is now an annual school event with maxed-out casts and consistently sold-out shows. Her children, both of whom got their acting starts with SCCT, have been active in the arts ever since, with her son Colin pursuing his BFA in Musical Theater and her daughter Carrie teaching classes for SCCT.