David Baker Scholarship
About the Scholarship
Created to honor the legacy of alumnus David Scott Baker, The David Baker Scholarship for creative arts is granted annually to a Junior or graduating Senior of Mayme S. Waggener High School. The scholarship committee endeavors to award this student artist with a cash grant to aid in their pursuit of a post-secondary degree or additional training.
David graduated from Waggener in 1988 and went on to study at Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. Before his death in 2019, he published three books of fiction under the nom de plume D.S. Poorman: Macky Dunn’s Got Nothing to Lose, Once Removed, and Somewhere There’s a Place. Before the Grave, a posthumous collection of his poetry, was published in 2021.
Eligibility
A Junior or Senior at Waggener High School who plans to attend postsecondary school, postsecondary training, or some other “enriching experience” – these can include, but are not limited to, writers’ workshops, artist camps, and job corps options.
Award Amount
$2,000
Application Deadline
April 4th, 2025
Requirements
Creative Arts submission, a personal statement, and a short letter of recommendation from a mentor or teacher. These submissions can be in the student’s first language (if it is not English) and can be recorded on video.
Submission
Candidates for the David Scott Baker scholarship may submit one to three pieces of any of the following writing/media: poetry, fiction, personal essay, spoken word, hip hop/rap, playwriting, or music composition. Work may be submitted via video or audio performance instead of written word.
Works may also be submitted in the artist’s native tongue, whether written or performed on video or audio. Video and audio may be submitted online, via a streaming service like YouTube, or VIMEO, or shared via GOOGLE DRIVE or on a thumb drive.
In addition to a creative portfolio, applicants must submit a personal statement of up to 500 words addressing where they will be going to school, what they will be doing in the school year 2025-2026, or how they plan on using the scholarship funds.
Finally, one short letter of recommendation from a mentor or teacher should be included.
Send all materials to:
dsbakerScholarship@gmail.com
Or snail mail to:
Waggener High School Alumni Association (WHSAA)
Waggener High School
330 S. Hubbards Ln.
Louisville, KY. 40207
Donations
Donations to the David S. Baker Scholarship can be made here, or by pressing the button below.