O'Neal School Awards $160K+ in Scholarships to 12 Students

Twelve students walked across the stage at The O'Neal School's annual scholarship celebration this week, each one receiving awards that will open doors to educational opportunities that might otherwise remain closed.

The evening honored students through three distinct programs, each reflecting the school's commitment to educating the whole child. Interim Head of School Steve Lisk thanked benefactors Stan and Jean Bradshaw, Jean Ray Hinson, and Helen Holmberg Herbert for their enduring generosity in expanding access to quality education.

The Hannah Marie Bradshaw Scholarship, named for a beloved O'Neal student who found her true potential at the school, awarded $6,000 annually to three new students demonstrating financial need. Thomas "Tre" Grabos, a Stars graduate with culinary dreams, joins fellow recipients Gavin McRae from West Pine Middle School and Phoebe Rollinson, who's traveling all the way from California to join the community.

Eighth-grader Abigail Schupp received the Helen Pringle Holmberg Scholarship, which covers 75% of tuition throughout upper school. Faculty nominated Schupp for her quiet confidence, strong work ethic, and ability to balance demanding schedules with grace.

Why This Inspires

These scholarships do more than cover tuition costs. They build communities of scholars who support and challenge each other, creating a culture of mutual respect and heart-centered leadership that extends far beyond the classroom.

Lisk noted that scholarship applicants grow stronger each year not just academically, but in character and extracurricular involvement. Eight current eighth-graders also received Rising Falcon Scholarships, four-year partial awards recognizing students who make the school community stronger through integrity, resilience, and compassion.

The investment these benefactors have made in young people like Tre, who dreams of culinary arts, and Phoebe, who balances competitive equestrian pursuits with art and photography, proves that opportunity paired with talent can unlock extraordinary potential. When schools and supporters work together to remove financial barriers, entire communities benefit from the leaders these students will become.