Bicentennial Scholars

The Bicentennial Scholars Program, including a merit-based scholarship awarded to students who have been enrolled in the upper school for at least one trimester, brings together exceptional students for an outstanding educational opportunity.

The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per year towards WMA-sponsored international travel and is renewable each year that a student matriculates at the Academy, with a potential value of $20,000. The student must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and continue to make positive contributions to the WMA community in and out of the classroom. Student travel is carefully designed by faculty members at the Academy to include an educational component as well as a spirit of adventure.

"The most exciting thing that has happened to me as a Bicentennial Scholar was visiting Taiwan. Traveling there was a once in a life time opportunity and if I were not a Bicentennial Scholar, I probably would not  have been able to visit the nation. It was amazing spending time with friends in their country, learning about their culture. Exploring Taiwan gave me a new perspective on our world. I will never forget my experiences and hope to return in the near future." Jessica Duncan '11

The Bicentennial Scholars Program is more than simply a cash award. It is a program designed to provide intellectual experiences not ordinarily available to high school students and to enrich their lives in a variety of pursuits. In addition to participating in one international trip per year, scholars attend a monthly series of intellectual events, including lectures and musical performances at local universities; art exhibits and openings; and book and poetry readings. Scholars may also read two to three books each year.

"Becoming a Bicentennial Scholar is one of the things that I am most proud of accomplishing. Because of my scholarship, I push myself to meet and exceed my teachers, coaches and my own expectations. I have had life-changing experiences due to the opportunities that the Bicentennial Scholarship provides, such as international traveling and meeting interesting people. My scholarship, and the opportunities it has given me, means the world to me and I am incredibly grateful for it." Sommer Mahoney '11

Scholars also have access to special guests of the Academy. In the past, they have had dinner at the Head of School’s home with lecturer Nettie Washington Douglass, and they met as a group with the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, John Major, when he addressed the Academy at Prize Day 2004.

On a less formal note, they have discussed popular books such as The DaVinci Code over pizza at the home of the faculty advisor to the program. Recently, scholars read China Road by Rob Gifford, former NPR China correspondent, and attended a book discussion with Gifford and his lecture at the Springfield Public Forum.