Scholarships

Jerry Seitz was a teacher, administrator, and mentor at Kennedy Catholic for over 40 years. He was an educator who loved to learn and teach what he knew.  His students respected him, his knowledge, and his endearing qualities of being unassuming yet affirming as a teacher.  He was a model educator and administrator.  His legacy will live on through the multitude of his students and colleagues.  

As a colleague, Jerry supported his administration and the faculty.  He mentored all teachers and was both dependable and welcoming in his role as an administrator and a teacher. Jerry was compassionate, faith-filled, insightful and had a great sense of humor. His passions were his family and friends, world languages, photography and great communication, and he was truly committed to the Lancer community. 

Founded in 2020, the Beall Finish the Race Scholarship is open to application from students who are part of the St. Teresa Program. It was created by parents of the program in thanks for the service of Charlie Beall, a dedicated former teacher and program chair. Mr. Beall's approach to teaching is focused on the success of each of his students; he encourages them to prepare for independence in every part of their lives. He is known for helping each student develop goals to fit their own journey and advance their own skills, both educationally and personally. The strongest applicants will be students who demonstrate they are willing to work to prepare themselves for their next step.

The Christopher Bowne Memorial Scholarship was established by Chris’ parents, Roberta and David and his brother Ron, in his memory following his tragic death in 2009. Christopher graduated from Kennedy Catholic in 2007 and attended Western Washington University. The family takes an active role in selecting the recipients of the scholarship and seek applicants who have the characteristics of Christopher.

Sister Rose Marie Dillman, SP, entered the novitiate of the Sisters of Providence on May 18, 1945. She taught at numerous Catholic grade schools throughout the region and she also served as Principal at Sacred Heart School, Tacoma, and Holy Family School, Seattle.

Sister Rose Marie worked at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School for 27 years. On February 8, 2009, the school dedicated the Sister Rose Marie Dillman Center, created and named in her honor, by the past and present alumni, students, faculty and administration. She retired in 1995 and will always be considered the school's number one fan.

Her interests included poetry, writing, attending sports events at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, teaching grade school history and geography, growing roses, playing cards, and traveling.

Sr. Rose Marie Dillman, a Sister of Providence for 68 years, passed away on April 25, 2014. This memorial scholarship is dedicated to her memory and her many years of service to the students and community of Kennedy Catholic.

The Derek R. Orozco Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of Derek Orozco, 1987 Kennedy Catholic alumnus. He is remembered for his quiet and friendly demeanor, and personal generosity and love for his parents. Friends describe Derek as having a gift for making others feel important and valued. He was a gentle soul, humble and kind with an incredible attention for detail.

After Derek unexpectedly passed away in the winter of 2016, his devoted friends and family established the The Derek R. Orozco Foundation, a charitable organization with the mission of supporting athletics, academics, and music: three things Derek loved. In addition, Derek loved Kennedy Catholic.

Each year, friends, family, and community members come together to support the Lancer Golf Classic, with proceeds benefiting this scholarship. Winners of the scholarship are featured speakers.

Funds for this scholarship are made possible through the generosity of the Derek R. Orozco Foundation.

After completing 36 years as a Lancer, Jim Paynton retired at the end of 2015. He led our band and orchestra programs for nearly four decades and impacted countless students, parents, and alumni.

He and his students began each day in the band room with a prayer.

“A personal relationship with your creator — of course that is exemplified in your relationships around you, how you approach others around you to show you are brothers and sisters in Christ,” Jim said.

Jim is humble about his accomplishments, yet he inspired confidence and a deep joy for music in a generation of students. He received many awards during his time as an educator. He was a team-builder, a mentor, visionary and tirelessly dedicated to Kennedy Catholic. His students have gone on to become adults who value music, community and high expectations. Each student he served was blessed to have him as a teacher.

Through this scholarship, his legacy will continue for years to come.

The Governor Albert Rosellini Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of the late Governor of the State of Washington whose grandchildren and great grandchildren have attended Kennedy Catholic High School. Rosellini served as Governor from 1957 to 1965 although he remained active in leadership and politics until his death in 2011 at the age of 101.

Every year, a dedicated group of family members and Lancer friends gather for a scholarship dinner at Kennedy Catholic to raise funds to sustain this award given to two students annually.

In the summer of 2015, Kennedy Catholic suffered a heartbreaking tragedy with the loss of Meagan Smith, Class of 2012 Kennedy Catholic Alumna. The Meagan E. Smith Memorial Scholarship was established in loving memory of Meagan. Funds for this scholarship are made possible through the generosity of the Smith family and friends who are continually working to honor Meagan’s memory.

This scholarship honors the legacy of Meagan Elizabeth Smith (1993 - 2015). Meagan graduated from Kennedy Catholic in 2012 and went on to attend Western Washington University. An outstanding student, Meagan was scheduled to graduate with departmental honors in December 2015, with a Humanities major, a concentration in Religion and Culture, and a German minor. During her time at Kennedy Catholic, Meagan was an excellent student, a talented musician, and an athlete, dedicated to exploring and growing in her faith. She served her community selflessly. She was a cherished friend, daughter, sister, and student.

Awards are based on leadership, school and community involvement and academic standing.

More than 20 years after his death, Randy Terlicker continues to help save lives. The Terlicker Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of the fallen firefighter. Randy was one of four firefighters killed while battling the Pang warehouse fire in January 1995. He was nearly a five-year veteran of the Seattle Fire Department.

Randy Terlicker was one of six kids. He was raised in the Seattle area and graduated from Kennedy Catholic in 1978. Randy was known as “a gentle giant” who was warm, funny and encouraging to others. He left an incredible and lasting impact on those who knew him.

Through the generosity of the Terlicker family, this scholarship was established in Randy’s memory to assist students from Holy Family Seattle Parish to attend Kennedy Catholic High School.

The Patrick Witkowski Memorial Scholarship was established by Patrick’s parents, Tracy and Paul, in his loving memory after his death in 2013. Patrick graduated from Kennedy Catholic in 2009 and was a graduate of Washington State University. Patrick loved his time at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School and would be touched to help Lancers succeed during their high school journey. The scholarship will be awarded based on responses to questions that Pat’s parents, Paul and Tracy, developed which align to the characteristics Patrick portrayed while attending Kennedy Catholic. Some of those characteristics include; faith, leadership and random acts of friendship.

Doug Zyskowski was a Kennedy Catholic graduate of the Class of 1982. Zyskowski Scholars should demonstrate a desire to attend Kennedy Catholic. He/she must be in good academic standing and maintain an above average GPA. Academic achievement, broad interest in learning and personal growth through academics must be demonstrated. Applicants must display Christian values. Consideration for this scholarship shall be given to current Kennedy Catholic freshmen, sophomores or juniors who complete the application by the deadline.

This scholarship originated from the Class of 1977 Lanigan-Kelley Inspiration Award, which was established in 1987 by members of the class of 1977 and by the families of Jim Lanigan and Dave Kelley to honor their memory. In 2017, fundraising began to establish a perpetual award and scholarship by and from the entire Class of 1977, honoring every classmate.

Jim (James) Lanigan was one of the friendliest students of the Class of 1977. During his high school years, he was a successful athlete on the wrestling team. In 1986 while walking home one night, Jim was killed when he was hit by a truck. Dave Kelley always had a smile on his face while walking the school halls as a student. He was a positive friend and classmate. In 1987, Dave drowned in a kayaking accident in Puget Sound.

Beginning in 2021, each Spring, scholarships will be awarded to two students who embody the qualities first established for this award. Each recipient of the Class of 1977 In Memoriam Award has not been presumptuous toward impressing others; has lived with a concerned and caring attitude toward classmates, friends, faculty and staff, parents and family; has consistently shown support of classmates through friendly actions; has plans for continuing his/her education; has a contagious, positive outlook on life; has been thoughtful and giving; and has participated in extracurricular activities at Kennedy Catholic High School.

Starting in 2021, we add an important quality for applicants to have: a passion for social justice causes and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

One scholarship is given to a current 9th grade Kennedy Catholic High School student who best represents the characteristics set forth by the Nichols family. The scholarship amount is based on one month of tuition. Information about applications may be found through the BSHARP organization.