The Steve France Memorial Scholarship will open application on November 1st, 2024, and the deadline for applications is February 28th, 2025.
About Steve France
As a physical education teacher for the West Des Moines Community School District, Steve devoted his life to the health and wellness of students.
His passion as an educator earned him many accolades from his peers, including:
Before pursuing his teaching career, Steve was in the U.S. Army, where he received the Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Star.
Steve was a registered wrestling official with the Iowa High School Athletic Association for 36 years and was one of the original members of the Central Iowa Wrestling Officials Association.
His passion as an educator earned him many accolades from his peers, including:
- West Des Moines Jaycees Outstanding Educator Award
- IAHPERD Physical Education Teacher of the Year
- Honor Award and Honorary Life Membership
- Governor's Physical Fitness Award
- Iowa Football Coaches Association's Assistant Coach of the Year
- State Wrestling Tournament Official
- CIML National Conference Girls' Tennis Coach of the Year in 1998 and 2000.
Before pursuing his teaching career, Steve was in the U.S. Army, where he received the Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Star.
Steve was a registered wrestling official with the Iowa High School Athletic Association for 36 years and was one of the original members of the Central Iowa Wrestling Officials Association.
Steve France Memorial Scholarship
The Central Iowa Wrestling Officials Association is offering a $750 scholarship to one female and one male student-athlete who displays excellent character and leadership skills on and off the wrestling mat.
Qualifications:
- Minimum two-year wrestling participant
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Acceptance to a post-secondary school (application can be submitted without acceptance letter, but scholarship amount will only be awarded with proof of enrollment).
Area of Emphasis:
- Contributions to wrestling team
- Participation in additional school extra-curricular activities
- Participation in other activities outside of school (i.e., church group, 4-H, etc.)
- Work experience (summer jobs, jobs during school, etc.)
- Coach’s letter of recommendation
Application:
- Applicant essay on the topic: “What has wrestling meant to you, and how has it prepared you for your future?”
- Maximum 500 typewritten word essay
- Applicant’s contact information at the top of the essay
- Coach’s letter of recommendation
- Maximum 500 typewritten words
- Coach’s contact information at the top of recommendation letter
Award Presentation and Scholarship Remittance:
- Scholarship will be presented at the recipient’s year-end wrestling banquet, if possible.
- Scholarship amount will be remitted when the recipient provides proof of enrollment to the Central Iowa Wrestling Officials Association from a post-secondary school.
