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Mad Genius Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
FoodStory Brands
$10,000
10 winners, $1,000 each
Awarded
Application Deadline
Nov 1, 2025
Winners Announced
Dec 1, 2025
Education Level
Any
2
Contributions
Eligibility Requirements
Background:
Exceptionally creative, inspired, and motivated to achieve in creative fields
Education Level:
High school, undergraduate, trade school, or graduate student

At Mad Genius, we're on a mission to unleash our creative energy on the world of snacking. We are obsessively passionate about creating mind-melting culinary mashups that test the bounds of flavor fusion. We are equally passionate about connecting with our community and recognizing creative genius, especially in America’s youth.

The Mad Genius Scholarship exists to “UNLEASH MAD POTENTIAL.” Unlike purely academic scholarships, we plan to recognize and reward genius across a wide range of creative (and not necessarily academic) pursuits.

Mad Genius’s disruptive mashups combine all-time favorite foods into convenient, craveable, and highly snackable comfort foods like Cheeseburger Quesadillas, General Tso’s Chicken Empanadas, and Bacon Mac & Cheese Snack Rolls. Mad Genius is excited to invite scholarship applicants to flex their creativity around a MASHUP theme.

For this year's scholarship class, applications are open to high school, undergraduate, trade school, or graduate students who are exceptionally creative, inspired, and motivated to achieve in creative fields. To apply, please respond in full to the following prompt:

1) Submit a mashup inspired creative work and explain your thought process in creating it and how it ties into the mashup theme.

2) In a short essay (<500 words), share your inspiration and thought process behind the novel mashup creation that you’ve submitted. 

3) OPTIONAL: Submit a photo that best conveys your vibe.

We are eager to reward insane creativity and mind-blowing originality. By way of merely illustrative example, if your creative passion is…

  • CULINARY, you could submit food mashup ideas, recipes, and/or images of your most inventive and delicious mashups.
  • VISUAL ARTS, you could create a brilliant image or illustration of unexpected objects mashing together
  • FASHION, you could create a mashup themed outfit, bringing together different wardrobe items and styles.
  • COMEDY/LITERARY, you could write stories, poems or jokes inspired by the mashup theme.

Best of luck to all who enter. We’re excited to be blown away by your genius and award our inaugural “Mashterclass” of Mad Genius Scholarship recipients!

Disclaimer – If I am chosen as a Mad Genius Scholarship recipient, I agree that Mad Genius will have the right to feature my name, hometown, and my creative work(s) on Mad Genius’ social media platforms and/or website. As a condition of my submission, I agree to grant Mad Genius full ownership and intellectual property rights in all ownable aspects of my submission. In exchange for scholarship consideration, I agree to timely execute any disclaimers of IP ownership as to my submission upon Mad Genius’s request. I understand that Mad Genius is not obligated to use this creative work(s), and I am not entitled to any compensation or recognition apart from the scholarship award, if I am chosen. I warrant that the creative work(s) submitted are (i) entirely my own, (ii) not plagiarized in any way, and (iii) not made (in whole or in part) through use of AI.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Creativity
Undergraduate ScholarshipsGraduate School ScholarshipsHigh School ScholarshipsScholarships for Trade School
Scholarships for College Students
College Students ScholarshipsNo-Essay ScholarshipsEasy ScholarshipsEssay ScholarshipsArt Scholarships
Published August 4, 2025
Essay Topic

YOU MUST UPLOAD A MASHUP INSPIRED CREATIVE WORK TO BE CONSIDERED


Share your inspiration and thought process behind the novel mashup creation that you’ve submitted. Explain your thought process in creating it and how it ties into the mashup theme.

300–500 words

Winners and Finalists

December 2025

Winning Applications

Maggie Stuckey
Fiorello H Laguardia High School of Music, Art and Performing ArtsBrooklyn, NY
When I was 11 years old, my parents gave me a life changing gift: the gift of harmony. I can recall with vivid detail the day my mom sat me down and explained how notes blend together to create tritones and chords. I was captivated. It was incredible how different combinations of sounds could have different effects on my mood and tell different stories. Something about harmony just made sense to me; the way each note fits together like a puzzle. It began to make sense of the inexplicable beauty behind music. When I discovered the art form of Musical theater, my world opened up to a new realm of possibilities. I became instantly obsessed, listening to cast albums for months on end and soaking up every piece of Broadway that I could. My dad took note of my obsession, in his inventive fashion, gifted me a loop pedal. It's a device that records and loops vocals and instruments, essentially allowing you to build your own song. Through this gift, I started making mashups, spending hours hunched in the living room harmonizing with myself. I made mashups of Hamilton songs, of Bluegrass tunes, of anything I could think of. But all of my mashups were built off of one thing: harmony. It has taken me places I never could have imagined. 5 years of exploration later, I've taken my loop pedal to concerts, talent shows, subway stations, and venues that give me the opportunity. It's my favorite pass time, and the device that allows my creativity to shine through. I can create anything that comes to mind, and tell any story that I desire. For this mashup, I decided to create a loop-pedal piece detailing my experience as an artist. It combines two Musical Theater songs by Stephen Sondheim; Our Time and Putting It Together. In a sense, it's about the classic artist's journey of creating a work of art out of a pure idea. I was inspired by the process that I have of making mashups on my loop pedal; it always must start with a baseline melody, with the help of my imagination, I build into a swelling harmony and eventually a final product. I realized that all artists go through this process in one form or another. The first step, no matter what medium, is putting it together. Piece by piece. Our Time tells of the new generation of artists, of young people bursting with ideas who are ready to take society by storm. I feel part of this new wave of creators more and more every day. As the music layers and loops, so does the inspiration of the song develop. With the themes of Our Time and Putting it together uniting in a mashup, I portray my best understand of the journey of young artists like myself, and the capabilities we hold to change the world. Thank you so much for watching!
Ava Ballard
New York UniversityOwings, MD
Art has many differing forms, yet they often echo one another in unexpected ways. Dance and painting have entirely different mediums, yet they share a powerful ability to create visual stories, evoke emotions, and convey messages through shape, rhythm, and space. As a dancer who paints as a hobby, I’ve grown increasingly fascinated by how these disciplines intersect. Painting dancers is intriguing to me, stimulating my passion for both arts. I gain a deeper understanding of how different dance positions affect an observer, and the positions that I find the most aesthetically pleasing. Having to paint the intricate details of highlights and shadows emphasizes the relationship a dancer has with lighting. helps inform my choreography, providing ideas about postures, poses, and movement styles from what the painting looks like. Over time, I’ve shifted my focus from simply completing paintings to appreciating the act of painting itself. In recent projects, I have been recording timelapse videos of my painting process. Doing this has allowed me to see dance and painting as parallel acts of creation: both involve brushing and carving space, making shapes, and emphasizing intricate details. Mad Genius’ MASHUP theme gave me an opportunity to explore this connection further. Before, I was only painting pictures of myself and other dancers or only dancing with paintings inspiring my movements. In this project, I danced a solo imagining myself painting through space and making picturesque shapes with my body. Afterwards, I recorded a timelapse video, painting a still image of myself from the dance. I followed along with the dance video, letting my movements inspire where and how I would paint next. After both videos were recorded, I overlapped them to see these two artforms work harmoniously to create a mashed-up art piece. Continuing to work on combining my two art forms, I hope to carry out a choreographic idea I have. One source of inspiration is Memo Akten’s “Body Paint” at the Wonderspaces Art Show in Austin, TX—an interactive projection where participants create digital brushstrokes by moving in front of a motion-sensitive screen. This exhibit sparked new ideas for combining dance and painting in real time. I envision a performance where dancers are in front of a projection of a painting in progress—one that I create and record to align with their movements. As the dancers move across the stage, my brushstrokes would follow their paths, gradually forming an image. By the end of the piece, the painting would be complete: a visual echo of the dance itself. The performers, in essence, would have painted themselves through motion. In blending these disciplines, I aim not only to expand my own artistic expression but to encourage other artists to “mashup” through multimedia creative works.
Charles Porterfield
University of Massachusetts-AmherstVineyard Haven, MA
“Chowdapanadas” with Kelp Dust (New England Clam Chowder Empanadas) My mashup started as a very practical problem: chowder is perfect… until you try to eat it on a windy dock. I’ve spent four summers working on the water around Martha’s Vineyard—running the pump-out boat, tying lines, grabbing a bite between calls—and I’ve watched more than one paper cup of clam chowder lose a battle with a gust. So I asked myself: how do you keep the soul of New England clam chowder—creamy clams, potato, onion, that briny comfort—but make it portable, snackable, and zero-spill? “Chowdapanadas” is my answer: classic chowder flavors tucked inside a golden, hand-held empanada, finished with a sprinkle of toasted kelp dust for ocean umami and a squeeze of lemon. It’s a mashup of two comfort icons—New England chowder and Latin American empanadas—that turns a sit-down soup into a grab-and-go snack you can eat on a pier, at a game, or straight from an air fryer. My thought process was threefold: Keep the flavor map; change the format. I reduce a simple chowder base (clam liquor, sautéed onion/celery, a little dairy) and fold it into mashed potato so the filling sets and doesn’t run. Chopped quahogs (or canned chopped clams), parsley, and a pinch of smoked paprika keep the profile familiar but bolder. It’s chowder you can hold. Honor place with smart sourcing. I grew up around shellfish and care a lot about clean water and sustainable harvests. This recipe works with responsibly sourced clams, but it also has a killer oyster-mushroom version for anyone who’s plant-forward—mushrooms marinated in a splash of kombu/kelp broth for that ocean edge. The kelp dust (toasted, blitzed seaweed flakes) nods to regenerative aquaculture and adds a salty-savory finish that tastes like the shoreline at low tide—in a good way. Make it truly snackable. I crimp the empanadas small—two-bite size—then bake or air-fry for a crisp shell without deep-frying. A quick lemon-dill dip (think thinner tartar sauce) gives the same bright lift you’d get from a squeeze of lemon over a cup of chowder. The goal isn’t “gourmet”; it’s craveable, repeatable, and easy to batch. Why this fits me: I’m a finance major with an environmental science minor who thinks a lot about systems—how to take something people love and make it more efficient and more accessible without losing what makes it special. “Chowdapanadas” is that mindset on a plate: a familiar flavor system redesigned for real life. It’s also the kind of food I’d film in quick, vertical clips for local businesses—steam hits cold air, kelp dust sprinkles in slow motion, a clean bite shows the creamy cross-section—because great ideas deserve great storytelling. In short, it’s chowder that learned to travel. Same comfort. New format. A little mad—in the best way.
Lizeth Delgado
Lone Star College SystemHouston, TX
Ava Doucet
ST JOSEPH'S ACADEMYBaton Rouge, LA
"Phoenix from the Ash" started because of a basketball I had lying around. That basketball and I played outside on the hoop every day for years, yet hadn't been picked up in a long time. I had played up to my freshman year of high school and lost my love for the sport. The coaches did not care who I was and what I was dealing with, and pushed me past my limits. In the end, I left angry and hurt. I wanted to show my emotions, but knew I needed time to heal and grow. A couple months later, I still wanted to be a part of a team. I loved the friendships built and everything that came along with being a part of something, so I decided to join the bowling team. I immediately fell in love with it, like that fire in me had morphed into a new love. My fire had been relit even after the ashes had settled from basketball. Remembering the basketball I had, I decided to give it a new use. I sliced and cut the basketball, just as the sport had done to me. I puzzle-pieced the ball back together to make a flame, the fire that was in me. To show my new passion through bowling, I took a picture of the ball on the bowling alley carpet floor, showing the strong foundation bowling has now given me. Lastly, I put my drawing skills to use and drew a picture of me bowling in motion, representing the growing nature of the sport and life. I truly believe this piece fully encapsulates the theme “Unleash Mad Potential” through what bowling has given me. Since then, my passion for the sport has only continued to grow. I have won multiple state tournaments and competed in Junior Gold, the national youth tournament, twice. My own potential has been tapped in to, and if it wasn't for the madness of freshman year and me saying no, I would not be who I am today. The use of unusual materials, such as the bowling alley floor and basketball, helped me understand the potential every day objects can have in my art. Since then, I have used more than just watercolors and such by delving into items I have: trash, string, pictures, etc.. This piece truly taught me to push my own limits and trust the process. In the next couple months, I will be committing to bowl at a D1 college and continuing my education in Business and Marketing. This piece and opportunity has opened so many doors for me, and truly has not only taught me what I can do, but how my limits are unlimited.
McKinley Martin
Rockwall Heath High SchoolRockwall, TX
The constant push and pull between technology and Nature reflects the balance between innovation and perseverance, where metal meets moss and circuits meet roots, a new harmony begins to form. Through my artwork, I am exploring the competitive struggle between technology and Nature, as well as how both elements can coexist. In my sculpture, I am using real materials from today’s technology and natural materials to represent the eco-technological conflict further. In today’s world, we have transformed vast forests into concrete jungles, grassy plains into housing developments, and natural wonders into tourist attractions. And although much of the new technology and infrastructure in today’s society has been distributed throughout the world, Nature will always find a way to overcome it. In my creative process, I incorporated two objects from opposite sides of Nature to create something new, symbolizing the ongoing clash between the natural world and human innovation. My expressive unification of technology was incorporated into the rotary phone. By stripping the phone of its wires, circuit board, buttons, and other components, I created a representation of the technological advancement that grows alongside Nature. On the natural side, I was able to blend in the environmental aspect to my sculpture by combining various pieces in an ecosystem, such as wood, moss, and grass, to merge both worlds. In the end, this sculpture stands as a reflection of the ever-evolving relationship between technology and the environment, two forces often seen as opposites, yet deeply intertwined. Through its contrasting materials and balanced forms, it reveals that progress and preservation need not conflict. Instead, they can coexist, shaping a future where innovation respects Nature’s balance. The work becomes more than a symbol of competition; it is a vision of unity, a reminder that harmony can emerge even from tension, if both worlds learn to grow together.
Isam Mousa
Spotswood HighHarrisonburg, VA
The Two Faces of Halloween Instead of trick or treating, going to parties, or watching scary movies, I decided to spend my last Halloween painting. As soon as I read the description for this scholarship, the idea slapped me in the face. While I might not be the most talented artist in the world, I hope you enjoy the meaning and love I put behind every stroke. The inspiration behind my painting came from the contrast between what Halloween used to be and what it has become. I wanted to create a true mashup between two completely different versions of the same holiday—one sacred and spiritual, the other hollow and commercial. Together, they show how the meaning of Halloween has transformed over time, and how fear itself has changed with it. The right side represents the origins of the holiday: Samhain, an ancient Gaelic tradition that marked the boundary between the living and the dead. I painted a Gaelic woman standing before a sacred fire, guiding souls as they pass from one world to the next. The moon shines brightly above her, lighting up the sky where spirits dance peacefully. This side is filled with warmth, color, and energy. It reflects a time when people viewed death not as something to fear, but as something to honor. The left side shows the Halloween we know today. The girl I painted here is “Momo,” a viral figure who terrified me when I was younger and who perfectly represents the modern face of fear—empty, grotesque, and meaningless. The devilish fingers resting on her shoulder show how the spiritual side of the holiday has been replaced by darkness and shock. Her pale skin and nudity represent the shamelessness of today’s consumer culture, where fear is sold and repackaged every year. The dark sky behind her shows what Halloween has lost: connection, reverence, and purpose. By merging these two faces into one, I wanted to create a visual collision of past and present—a mashup between meaning and emptiness, reverence and spectacle, life and death.
Reese Gilmore
University of KansasLeawood, KS
Who says neckties are just an accessory! My MASHUP creation comes from my passion and creative expression of sewing and fashion. When I design clothing pieces, I always strive for sustainability and to give new life to old clothing. I want to create a sustainable cycle of clothing production, utilizing existing materials to create something new. This mashup inspiration came from my dad giving me all of his old neckties, as he no longer wears them for work. Rather than throwing them out, I took on the creative challenge by Mad Genius to create a MASHUP of my own. From the MASHUP challenge, I made a one-of-a-kind piece that always turns heads. This creation started with material, and from it came design, a part of my sewing process I often enjoy when using second-hand materials and clothing. Once I acquired the neckties, I thought about what I look for in clothing. I enjoy movement or a story, so I decided to create a skirt that replicates the classic pleated skirt, but updated. The overlapping ties create movement when worn and mimic the look of a timeless plaid pleated skirt. Each tie was placed based on color, pattern, and size, then hand sewn together one stitch at a time. Every item used to make my MASHUP was recycled from something else; the skirt itself and waistband are neckties, the buttons and zipper closure on the skirt came from an old pair of pants. This fashion creation quite literally TIES into the theme MASHUP given by Mad Genius by showing clothing pieces don’t have to serve one purpose. Clothing and fashion should fit the individual rather than the individual fitting it. To me, MASHUP is about thinking outside the box and not following rules, but expressing creative individuality and freedom. My tie skirt shows fashion doesn’t have to be one thing; make it what you want. I believe clothing and fashion are tools to express oneself. I challenge myself to see different uses for clothing than what we are told. Who says I can’t wear ties as a skirt!
Javon Carter
Monroe Area High SchoolMonroe, GA
My career aspirations is to pursue an education in audio/sound engineering and music production. I have gained over 1.5 million views across multiple social medias showcasing my love for music production. If I received this scholarship I would put it towards college, most likely my tuition. As you may know, college is very expensive and it would be a blessing to even be considered for this scholarship. I would apply for it even if it was 50 dollars, let alone 5,000.
Brianna DeFalco
Tarrant County College DistrictFort Worth, TX
Picking up my paintbrush persuaded me. It reminded me why I wanted to add beauty to the world through art. I've been captivated by artistic expression since childhood, and as I grew older, that passion expanded into new areas, especially mathematics. Freshman year was uninspired. I spent most of my time sleeping, scrolling, and playing video games. I was in band, theater, and art, but I wasn’t truly present in any of them. That changed during my sophomore year. I grew tired of the monotony and wanted to become someone who created with intention—someone who led and inspired. I started practicing trombone, drawing more, and paying attention in class. That effort transformed my experience, leading to a fulfilling and productive junior year. By junior year, I was section leader and stage manager, and now I’m proud to serve as drum major of our band. Being a drum major goes far beyond conducting. I’ve helped lead 170 students through performances and rehearsals, always aiming to lead with compassion and purpose. I’ve learned that leadership is about more than giving instructions—it’s about inspiring others to find their own passion, just like previous leaders once inspired me. My love for art has always shaped who I am. I loved drawing colorful still lifes as a child, and today I’m enrolled in AP Art and active in the National Art Honor Society. In class, I collaborate with fellow artists, blending styles and ideas to create something meaningful. I find joy in making artwork that evokes emotion and thought, and I’m especially inspired when working with others toward a shared vision. Art also helped me connect with math. I enjoy how mathematical concepts fit together and the satisfaction of solving problems that once felt impossible. The quick thinking I developed through academic competitions has helped sharpen my problem-solving skills. I used to chase perfect test scores, but I’ve learned that growth matters more than perfection. Each challenge helps me move closer to my goals. I aspire to become an architect—someone who uses creativity and logic to build beautiful spaces. I want to design structures that inspire people and bring life back into the concrete jungles of our cities. Earning this scholarship would make a real difference by easing the financial burden of college and helping me stay focused on my education and goals. In the end, I want to make the world a more beautiful place—through art, through leadership, and through architecture. And I’m ready to put in the work to make that dream a reality. For my Mash-up creation, I wanted to sculpt food and combine it with my love for horror. I ended up making "gori" sushi. It is sculpted out of clay, painted with acrylic paint.

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FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Nov 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Dec 1, 2025.