Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship Information

The FFCC believes strongly that a culture of community and sportsmanship contibutes greatly to building the character of the membership we serve. In keeping with this spirit, the FFCC sponsors The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship and The Kevin Palus Memorial Sportsmanship Award.

The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship

Martha Stark, band director at Gainesville HS, was influential in creating and developing the policies and character of the FFCC. She was an inspiration to all who were fortunate to meet her. Her bands at Gainesville High School were continually superior-rated at FBA Festivals, and the Centerstage Color Guard became one of the premier members of the FFCC. She touched thousands of students with her unique brand of caring and support that made those students strive for the highest levels of excellence. In 1995, after a courageous battle with cancer, we lost Martha. In her honor, the FFCC Board of Directors renamed the existing scholarship fund “The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship Program.” The Program is funded through private donations and sales of FFCC merchandise.

Candidates for the Martha Stark Memorial Scholarship must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must be in their senior year of High School or already attending a College, University or Vocational School.
• The applicant must attend a College, University or Vocational School for the following academic year.
• The applicant must be an active marching member of a team who is a member in good standing in the FFCC.
• Each team may only have one member considered for a scholarship each season.

The number of scholarships awarded each season is dependent on the amount of available scholarship funds. Applications are reviewed by a committee chosen by the FFCC Board of Directors. This committee evaluates and ranks the applications and forwards this to the Executive Board.  Scholarships are granted for one year only, but recipients may reapply the following year if she/he remains an active marching member in the FFCC. The Martha Stark Memorial Scholarships are awarded at FFCC Championships.

Go to our Scholarship Application Page to apply!