Ross Hearn Vocal Music Excellence Scholarship

Scholarship Type

Application Deadline

March 31

Available Scholarships

$500

About This Scholarship

The Ross Hearn Vocal Music Excellence Scholarship will be awarded to a USD 260 graduating senior who participated in the vocal music at Derby High School and intends to continue to participate in vocal music after high school graduation. The scholarship is to be applied to the expenses of education after high school at an accredited post-secondary educational institution. Selection of recipients will be made without regard to race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin. The student must have a high school grade point average of 3.0 or an ACT score of 21.


During Ross Hearn’s 40-year teaching career, he positively impacted thousands of students. Mr. Hearn taught vocal music at Derby High School for 32 years, sharing his passion for music and his high expectations. He also taught for 4 years at Valley Center High School, 2 years at Knoxville High School (Iowa), and 2 years at Wichita High School North, respectively. The lessons in Mr. Hearn’s classroom were more than musical, they were life lessons.

• Participated in vocal music at DHS
• Student intends to continue participating in music after high school
• Graduating from USD 260
• High School GPA of 3.0 or an ACT score of 21

  • Derby High School

• PDF of most recent high school transcript, titled “[Your Name] Transcript”.
• PDF of a letter of recommendation from a teacher, administrator, employer, or another adult (who is not a family member) explaining why he/she feels you are qualified to receive this scholarship. Please title your document “[Your Name] Recommendation”.

• March 31: Application submission deadline.
• April: Recipient will be notified via email by the end of April.
• Mid-May: Derby Community Foundation Scholarship Reception to honor the recipient.
• June 15: Recipient must sign a scholarship agreement and provide college information. Check your email! CommunityGiving will verify that you are enrolled as a full-time student at the college. (Full-time enrollment is typically 12-16 credit hours)
• June: Inform your college that you have received the scholarship.
• September 1: Full payment will arrive at your college unless otherwise notified

Apply For This Scholarship

Complete online application by March 31.