---
title: "Student Scholarships | East Angel Foundation, Denver"
url: https://eastangelfoundation.org/scholarships
description: "How East Angel Foundation scholarships work: eligibility, application requirements, Class of 2027 key dates, past recipients, and how to give to the scholarship fund."
lang: en
---

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Image: East High School graduating seniors at commencement (https://eastangelfoundation.org/assets/scholarships-DYno0GSZ.jpg)

Scholarships

# Investing in the futures of East's graduating Angels.

The East Angel Foundation awards scholarships to graduating seniors based on financial need, academic performance, character, and community and extracurricular involvement.

$1,147,000

Awarded in scholarships

515

Graduating seniors supported

1926

Year the fund began, established by the classes of 1923–1926

How it works

## East Angel Foundation Scholarship Process and Criteria

The East Angel Foundation proudly offers several dedicated scholarships, made possible through the generosity and vision of alumni and community partners. These awards reflect our shared commitment to education, equity, and excellence.

The East High School Alumni Scholarship Fund was established in 1926 by the classes of 1923–1926 and proudly revived in 1995. Since 2011, the East Angel Foundation has expanded and managed the program, which is now overseen by a dedicated volunteer Scholarship Committee.

In addition to the dedicated scholarships, EAF provides grants of $2,000 to $4,000 to graduating seniors for use in any post-secondary education, including two- and four-year colleges, technical schools, and vocational training.

These awards reflect East’s core values:

- Diversity
- Academic Excellence
- Character
- Community & Extracurricular Involvement
- ### The Cleworth LEAP Scholarship
  $100,000–$120,000 ($25,000–$30,000 per year for four years)
  This prestigious, need-based scholarship supports a student with exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements in making the “LEAP” to a top-tier postsecondary institution. Established in 2016 by Monty Cleworth (Class of 1978).
- ### The East Alumni Scholarship
  $8,000
  Established in 1995 and funded by donations from generous East alumni. This prestigious scholarship honors the most outstanding Angel from the graduating class based on academic excellence, school involvement, and community participation.
- ### The Thomas W. Bean Foundation Scholarship
  $7,000
  Established by the Thomas W. Bean Foundation, this award celebrates the legacy of Thomas Washington Bean, a pioneering African American businessman. It is awarded to a senior who has overcome significant challenges and exemplifies hope, resilience, and achievement.
- ### The James Reece (Class of 1960) Scholarship
  $4,000
  A merit-based award from the James Reece Foundation, named in honor of a lifelong educator and East High alumnus. James Reece attended Yale and earned an advanced degree from Harvard Business School. This scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance.
- ### The Class of 1967, 1968, and 1969 Scholarship
  $5,000
  Founded by Beth Woodard (Class of 1968) and supported by members of the Classes of ’67–’69, this need-based award emphasizes academic merit and meaningful school and/or community service.
- ### The Class of 1985 Scholarship
  $5,000
  Established in memory of Kinsley (Hyland) Alexander, a beloved member of the Class of 1985, and in honor of other classmates gone too soon. This need-based scholarship supports a student with a strong academic focus, particularly in foreign languages and world cultures.
- ### The Martin Brusse, 10th Mountain Division Scholarship
  $3,500
  An award of $3,000 goes to the primary recipient and $500 to the runner-up. Criteria include community service and overcoming adversity. Funded by a $25,000 pledge from Tony Zakhem in honor of Martin Brusse, a member of the 10th Mountain Division 85th Regiment, Company K during World War II and a 1942 graduate of East High School.

Eligibility & timeline

## What applicants need, and when.

### General application requirements

For all EAF scholarships except the Cleworth LEAP, applicants must provide:

- Student Aid Index (SAI) via FAFSA
- Personal statement or essay (may use the statement used for the Common Application)
- One teacher recommendation
- In-person interview

#### Class of 2027 key dates

1. March 5, 2027 EAF & Cleworth scholarship applications due
2. March 12, 2027 Deadline for Denver Scholarship Foundation input
3. March 15–22, 2027 Committee scholarship review and application scoring
4. March 24, 2027 Committee meeting to determine student interviewees
5. March 26, 2027 Students notified of interview opportunity
6. March 29–April 2, 2027 Spring break
7. April 5–6, 2027 Interviews for Cleworth LEAP Scholarship
8. April 7–9, 2027 Interviews for East Angel Foundation Scholarships
9. April 16, 2027 Notification to scholarship winners
10. May 1, 2027 College Commitment Day

Open the application form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0ZOoHOky-f9O7ePDkyBQOkK1CtyFqGMeixbvtLJRJ8BpXfg/viewform)

### The Cleworth LEAP Scholarship

This prestigious, need-based scholarship supports a student with exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements in making the “LEAP” to a top-tier postsecondary institution.

**Award:** $100,000–$120,000 (_$25,000–$30,000 per year for four years_)
**Established:** 2016 by Monty Cleworth (Class of 1978)

Eligibility:

- Enrolled at East High for at least three years
- 3.75+ unweighted GPA
- Demonstrated financial need (SAI ≤ 50,000 preferred based on FAFSA)
- Strong academic record
- Admission offers from universities
- Personal statement/college essay submission
- Committee interview in early April

#### Class of 2027 key dates

1. March 5, 2027 EAF & Cleworth scholarship applications due
2. April 5–6, 2027 Interviews for Cleworth LEAP Scholarship
3. April 16, 2027 Notification to scholarship winners
4. May 1, 2027 College Commitment Day

Open the LEAP application form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvUhzIB693Db6Cn_T_iQw9_CkUckp2Hk1lF1C_Xevg_znSfw/viewform)

Questions? Contact Maurice Scott (maurice.scott@cuanschutz.edu).

Recipients

## The 2025 class of scholarship recipients.

Every story below is quoted from the Foundation's own recipient announcements.

- ### Cora Smith
  Class of 1967, 1968, and 1969 Scholarship — $5,000
  DePaul University (https://www.depaul.edu/)
  Cora Smith received the Class of 1967, 1968, and 1969 Scholarship in 2025 and attends DePaul University. At East, she was Head of Lighting for theatre productions and a four-year technical performer, a member of NHS, and recipient of "Best Senior Project – Theatre." She volunteered with local museums and brought passion and precision to every performance.
- ### Ebise Galato
  Cleworth LEAP Scholarship
  George Washington University
  A four-year Honor Roll student at East High School, Ebise is a first-generation college-bound leader passionate about healthcare and community service. She was co-president of African Students United for three years, taught Youth Ministry, and led Vacation Bible School. Through the Medical Career Collaborative and a NICU internship at Denver Health, she discovered her calling in biomedical engineering.
- ### Jade Wood
  Cleworth LEAP Scholarship
  Pace University
  Jade is the first in three generations of her family to graduate from high school and is proud to be a first-generation college student. Despite many challenges, she maintained honor roll status with emotional maturity and perseverance. Jade plans to study economics and business at Pace University and pursue a law degree.
- ### Darius McGregor
  James Reece, Class of 1960 Scholarship — $4,000
  Brown University
  Darius is a top-ranked scholar, STEM researcher, and mental health advocate. He's worked with Carnegie Mellon and Children's Hospital Colorado, and co-founded Boys to Men, supporting young men of color.
- ### Alejandra Ojeda Rojas
  Thomas W. Bean Foundation Scholarship — $5,000
  Metro State University
  Alejandra has overcome language barriers to become a biliterate student-leader and mentor. Active in Convivir Colorado and Rising Higher Staffing Solutions, she supports Hispanic students and manages social media for Tech Nation Careers. She plans to pursue a degree in marketing and business.
- ### Harper Young
  East Alumni Scholarship — $8,000
  University of California, Berkeley
  Harper is a state champion and national finalist in the We the People Constitutional Law Program. She founded East High's Reading Partners Club, leads youth environmental efforts with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and has earned national honors including AP Scholar with Distinction and National Merit Commended Scholar.

### Cleworth LEAP recipients

- 2025 — Ebise Galato — George Washington University
- 2025 — Jade Wood — Pace University
- 2024 — Elias Goss — University of California, Berkeley
- 2023 — Sammy Dominguez — Claremont-McKenna College
- 2022 — Teal Fricke — Boston University
- 2021 — Tatiana Stevenson — Aurora University
- 2021 — Yonatan Manor — Boston University
- 2020 — Gabriel Day — Washington University in St. Louis
- 2019 — Phoebe Fanganello — University of Washington
- 2018 — Harrison Scudamore — Columbia University
- 2017 — Maya Younoszai — Smith College
- 2016 — Charlotte McClintock — University of Virginia
- 2016 — Anna Martens — Bowdoin College

### East Alumni Scholarship recipients

- 2025 — Harper Young — University of California, Berkeley
- 2024 — Noah Koi Vong — CU Boulder
- 2023 — Gabe Nagel — Stanford University
- 2022 — Nathaniel Day — CU Boulder
- 2021 — Fiona Yohannnes — Amherst University
- 2020 — Alex Schor — Yale
- 2019 — Emily Harrison — CU Boulder
- 2018 — Leah Harris — Stanford University
- 2017 — William Schor — Brown
- 2016 — Molly Culhane — Stanford University
- 2015 — Ashia Ajani — Yale
- 2014 — Jeremy Snyder — Pomona College
- 2013 — Elizabeth Greenberg — NYU
- 2012 — Bailey Polonsky — Macalester College
- 2011 — Connor Soicher — Oregon
- 2010 — William Toaspern — Stanford University
- 2009 — Jessica (Kegel) Hoy — East Carolina University
- 2008 — Matthew Valeta — Colorado College
- 2007 — William Van Treuren — CU Boulder/Stanford
- 2006 — Paula Davis — Washington University in St. Louis
- 2005 — Michael J. Wilkerson — Stanford University
- 2004 — Alyssa (Teves) Farber — University of Notre Dame
- 2003 — Demetri Blanas — Columbia University
- 2002 — Shannon Murphy — University of Notre Dame
- 2001 — Elizabeth B. Daily — Colorado College
- 2000 — Dan Murphy — University of Notre Dame
- 1999 — Josh Walker — Whittier College
- 1998 — Matt Vellone — CU Boulder
- 1997 — Nicole Pugh — CU Boulder
- 1996 — Julie Hoebel — George Washington University
- 1995 — Ned Augenblick — Georgetown University

## Scholarship Committee

- Michael Herrera — East Angel Foundation Communications Chair
- Tammi Holloway — Class of 1986
- James Mejia — Class of 1985, 2025-26 Scholarship Chair
- Simone Ross — Class of 2000
- Maurice Scott — Class of 2000, 2025-26 Cleworth LEAP Chair
- Edna Sutton — East High Teacher (11 years)
- Flo Wagner — East High Teacher (25 years)

Support the fund

## Donate to the Scholarship Fund.

Your contribution directly supports graduating seniors who meet scholarship criteria and demonstrate financial need. Every gift — large or small — has a real impact, and all donations are tax-deductible.

You can also leave a lasting legacy by establishing a named scholarship to honor a loved one, a class, or a cause you care about. You define the criteria, and the Foundation will work with you to bring your vision to life. Contact scholarships@eastangelfoundation.org.

Donate to the Scholarship Fund (https://eastangelfoundation.org/donate)

## Every gift keeps an Angel moving forward.

Your generosity funds scholarships, classroom projects, and the programs that make East East. EAF is a registered 501(c)3 — donations are tax-deductible.

Donate (https://eastangelfoundation.org/donate)

Donate to East Angel Foundation: https://eastangelfoundation.org/donate

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