Deidra L. Watson Memorial Scholarship
Deidra L. Watson was a deeply loved woman whose life was cut short far too soon. She is remembered with love by her family, friends, and the many people whose lives she touched. A proud graduate of Thornwood High School and a Florida A&M University alumna, Deidra believed strongly in the power of education, resilience, and determination, and she carried those values with her throughout her life.
In her honor, this scholarship continues Deidra’s legacy by investing in the next generation of students across Illinois as they complete high school and take their next steps toward higher education. Many students face personal and financial hardships that can make the path forward feel overwhelming. This scholarship exists to offer encouragement, support, and hope—so that students are reminded they are seen, believed in, and capable of achieving their dreams regardless of financial circumstances.
The Deidra L. Watson Scholarship was created to celebrate her life and to uplift students who are preparing to pursue higher education. While any high school senior in Illinois is welcome to apply, preference is given to students from the Thornton Township School District (District 205), the community where Deidra’s academic journey began.
To apply, tell us about yourself, your background, your goals, and how this scholarship would help you.
Please tell us about yourself, your academic background, and your goals for the future. How would this scholarship help you?
Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students
FAQ
The application deadline is Mar 21, 2027. Winners will be announced on Apr 22, 2027.
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Apr 22, 2027. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
