Washoe Country School District
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Kendyl Depoali Memorial Scholarship
Kendyl Depoali was an extraordinary educator who had a significant and lasting impact on education in Washoe County.
She began her 33-year career with the Washoe County School District at Clayton Middle School in 1974. She continued on to teach at McQueen High School. She was a master teacher, and over her teaching career, taught subjects as diverse as home economics, geography, German, English, math, art, history, government, sociology, science and speech and debate. She left the classroom to take on administrative roles, including becoming Principal of her alma mater, Sparks High School. She was Senior Director of Secondary Education before finally finishing her career as Superintendent of Public Policy, Accountability and Assessment in 2007.
She was proud to be a fourth generation Nevadan, a third generation graduate of Sparks High, a UNR graduate, and a product herself of the Washoe County School District.
Kendyl worked tirelessly to raise the standards for Washoe County's children - both the standards by which they should be educated, and the standards to which they should be held. She believed that schools are born of their communities and must reflect a belief in the ability of children to succeed.
Kendyl was the driving force behind the development of the K-16 Data Profile, the adoption of the Gateway Course of Study for WCSD and, in the last year of her prolific career, having that standard adopted for the State for Nevada.
Her actions in education reflected her basic principles: Expect students and teachers to have high expectations for themselves, always do what is right for students, create and meet high standards in public education for all kids an all schools, and prepare students for success beyond the public school system.
Kendyl Depoali died of cancer at age 57 just three months after her illness forced her to retire from the school district. Kendyl Depoali Middle School was named in her honor.
In a 2003 Sparks High graduation speech, Kendyl exemplified her faith in the potential of the Washoe County School District and its students. She wrote, "Public education allows us to frame our own futures will be regardless of gender, skin color, disability, or wealth. Public education is the great opener of doors, the leveler of playing fields, the purveyor of equal opportunities. This country rewards effort, hard work, and... education. You've got a good start, but get as much education as you can."
The Kendyl Depoali Scholarship has been created to help teachers get as much education as they can so that they can become even more effective educators in their content areas to help all of WCSD's students to succeed.
The first Kendyl Ruth Williams Depoali Memorial Scholarship was awarded in spring of 2009.
Scholarship Criteria
Applicants must:
1. Be currently employed as a full-time middle or high school teacher in the Washoe County School District.
2. Already have completed a Bachelor's Degree.
3. Have been accepted into the College of Liberal Arts, or the College of Education at the University of Nevada-Reno
4. Be Pursuing an advanced degree with the intent of improving his/her work with students in the classroom.
5. Submit the application, essays, proof of employment in WCSD, and letters of recommendation (see application for details).
Award: One-time $2000 Scholarship
Application Deadline: Postmarked by February 28
Download Application
Tax deductible donations to support this scholarship may be made by visiting: www.cfwnv.org and clicking "Donate Online"
