FAQ - Letterman Legacy Foundation Scholarship

Question 1

What is Ethan De Anda's Letterman Legacy Foundation?

Accepted Answer

A letterman jacket represents far more than clothing. For many student-athletes, it symbolizes belonging, achievement, dedication, perseverance, and years of hard work both on and off the field. Ethan De Anda's Letterman Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) designation, created to support deserving student-athletes who have earned this honor but may not have the financial means to purchase a jacket themselves. We believe that financial hardship should never stand between an athlete and the recognition they worked hard to earn.

Question 2

Why was this foundation started?

Accepted Answer

This foundation was started with a simple but powerful vision — to build a future where every student-athlete who earns the right to wear a letterman jacket can do so with pride, regardless of their financial circumstances. It was born from the belief that dedication, sacrifice, and achievement deserve to be celebrated, not limited by a price tag.

Question 3

Who runs the foundation?

Accepted Answer

The foundation is led by its founder, Ethan De Anda, and governed by a board of directors. The board includes a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Director at Large — all committed to the foundation's mission of supporting Rowland High School student-athletes.

Question 4

Is Letterman Legacy part of Rowland High School?

Accepted Answer

No. Ethan De Anda’s Letterman Legacy Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization and is not operated by Rowland High School or Rowland Unified School District. The Foundation works with school personnel as appropriate to verify eligibility and assist with the award-selection process.

Question 5

Who is eligible to apply?

Accepted Answer

Any Rowland High School student-athlete who has earned their Varsity Letter and has a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is eligible to apply. There is no restriction by grade level, sport, or gender — if you've earned your letter, we want to hear from you.

Question 6

Does my GPA affect my eligibility?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. GPA is also considered as part of the overall application.

Question 7

Can I apply if I participate in multiple sports?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Multi-sport athletes are encouraged to apply. Participating in more than one sport demonstrates exceptional commitment, time management, and dedication — all qualities the foundation values highly.

Question 8

Can freshmen apply?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Any Rowland High School student-athlete who has earned a Varsity Letter is eligible, regardless of grade level. If you've put in the work and earned the honor, you deserve the recognition.

Question 9

What does the application require?

Accepted Answer

The application is straightforward — simply complete all required fields including your name, school, grade, GPA, athletic participation history, coach's name, parent or guardian contact information, and a short essay response. The goal is to give the foundation a clear picture of who you are as a student-athlete.

Question 10

How long should my essay response be?

Accepted Answer

Keep it to no more than one paragraph. Be genuine, be specific, and speak from the heart. Tell us what earning your letterman jacket truly means to you — the hard work, the sacrifice, the teammates, and what wearing that jacket would represent.

Question 11

When is the application deadline?

Accepted Answer

Applications are due by December 20th of each calendar year. The sponsorship recipient is announced in January of the following year, unless otherwise stated. We encourage applicants not to wait until the last minute — submit early and give your application the attention it deserves.

Question 12

How many scholarships are awarded each year?

Accepted Answer

Ethan De Anda's Letterman Legacy Foundation is committed to awarding at least one sponsorship per year. As the foundation grows and receives more support from donors and sponsors, we hope to expand the number of student-athletes we can recognize and reward each cycle.

Question 13

How will I know if I was selected?

Accepted Answer

Winners will be announced at the Varsity Football Year End Banquet. It's a moment of celebration — not just for the recipient, but for the entire Rowland High School athletic community.

Question 14

Can I apply in multiple years?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you were not selected in a previous year, you are absolutely welcome — and encouraged — to apply again in a future cycle, as long as you remain an eligible Rowland High School student-athlete.

Question 15

How are applications reviewed?

Accepted Answer

Once the application deadline has passed, all submitted applications are reviewed by the foundation's board of directors. The board evaluates each application holistically — considering academic effort, athletic achievement, character, and financial need. Financial need information is handled confidentially through Rowland High School administration and does not need to be provided directly by the applicant.

Question 16

What happens after the board reviews applications?

Accepted Answer

The Foundation Board reviews all eligible applications and selects three finalists. Finalists participate in a panel interview with Rowland High School administration. Following the interview process, the award recipient is selected and the recipient’s parent or guardian is notified.

Question 17

How is the award recipient selected?

Accepted Answer

After the three finalists complete their panel interviews, the award recipient is selected and the recipient’s parent or guardian is notified.

Question 18

What does the scholarship cover?

Accepted Answer

The selected recipient receives a gift certificate to our official vendor/partner store that covers the cost of a basic letterman jacket. It's our way of making sure the jacket you earned actually ends up on your shoulders.

Question 19

Do I have to repay the scholarship?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not. This is a gift — a recognition of your hard work and dedication. There is no repayment, no strings attached, and no obligations. You earned it.

Question 20

Can the gift certificate be used at any store?

Accepted Answer

No — the gift certificate is issued specifically to our designated vendor/partner store. Details about the current partner will be shared with the selected recipient at the time of the award.

Question 21

How can I support the foundation?

Accepted Answer

There are several meaningful ways to get involved: you can join the board of directors, make a donation through our Donate page, or become a sponsor. Every contribution — whether time, talent, or treasure — directly helps student-athletes receive the recognition they've earned.

Question 22

Can local businesses partner with the foundation?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — we would love to partner with local businesses and community organizations. Whether you're a letterman jacket vendor, a local retailer, or simply a business that believes in investing in young athletes, we want to hear from you. Together, we can give back to the community that shapes these student-athletes every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Foundation

Scholarship Eligibility

The Application Process

The Scholarship Award

Supporting the Foundation

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