Sarah E. Auer Memorial Scholarship for MCSL Swimmers

The Sarah E. Auer Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to recognize graduating High School seniors each year who are competitive swimmers and who have exhibited noteworthy qualities in other areas of endeavor. Sarah Auer was a competitive swimmer and a strong student. Sarah swam competitively in the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL) for the Poolesville Piranhas, for several club teams, for Poolesville High School (where she was the MVP for all four years), and in college. She also played soccer (club and High School), field hockey (High School), and, while younger, also enjoyed dance and piano lessons. Starting in eighth grade, Sarah worked as a club (JFD Dolphins) and summer swimming coach, eventually becoming the Head Coach of the MCSL Poolesville Piranhas at age 18 and a winter swimming coach for the Rockville-Montgomery Swim Club (RMSC) who worked with age group swimmers as well as with the National Training Group.

Sarah exemplified the virtues of hard work and dedication in all that she did. While a successful individual swimmer, she also appreciated the importance of working positively as a team member to contribute to the team's success. Sarah especially loved and was very good at coaching swimming. Despite her young age she easily handled the head coaching job and was loved by the over 200 swimmers who competed for the Poolesville Piranhas summer Swim Team. Sarah's great promise was tragically ended when she was killed in an auto accident in December 2003 at the age of 21. Sarah had been on her way to her RMSC coaching job when she was killed.

The scholarship fund is supported in part by “Swim for Sarah” which is hosted by the Poolesville Piranhas and held at the Western County Pool in Poolesville. Further information can be obtained from the Poolesville Team Representative.

Eligibility: Nominees must be graduating High School seniors who competed for an MCSL swim team and have consistently been involved in competitive swimming since elementary school and continuing during their High School years. Nominees must embody qualities of hard work, teamwork, excellence, and dedication, as well as sustained long-term dedication to swimming. Successful nominees will be strong, hardworking students who have also been involved in additional areas of endeavor, such as other competitive sports (High School, club, and/or Rec), other athletic coaching, community involvement, and/or artistic pursuits such as dance or music. MCSL team representatives are also encouraged to consider financial need as a deciding factor in their team ‘s nomination.

Specific eligibility criteria for MCSL swimmers are as follows: swam for an MCSL team for freshman through senior years in High School; swam for a High school swim team; and worked as a coach (including as a volunteer coach) for an MSCL swim team for at least 2 seasons.

Nomination Process: One nomination package may be submitted by each MCSL Team. Nomination packages will consist of 4 parts (each part no more than 1 page in length). Letters of support must, among other things, discuss how the candidate exhibited the qualities included under “Eligibility”:

• A nomination form signed by the nominee's MCSL Team Representative which demonstrates that the candidate meets the eligibility criteria for MCSL candidates,

• A letter of support signed by the coach of the nominee's MCSL swim team,

• A letter of support signed by a High School official, and

• A 1-page essay written by the swimmer on one or more of the following topics: What does swimming mean to you? What does swimming for an MCSL team mean to you? What values learned in swimming will you take into your future life? How will the experience of swimming help you in your academic pursuits? How has your experience helping the swim team by coaching or participating in team activities helped you to prepare for your future?

The nomination package shall be typed and may also include a 2-page resume outlining the nominee’s experience and accomplishments. Nomination packages which are not complete will not be further processed.

Nomination packages consisting of the parts described above will be accepted from the Team Representative for an MCSL swim team. Scholarship decisions are final.

The deadline for submission of nominations shall be the second Thursday in June of each year. Completed nominations (in duplicate) shall be either mailed (postmarked) by the appropriate deadline to:

Doris and Charles Auer
Attn: SEA Scholarship Fund
17116 Campbell Farm Rd.
Poolesville, MD 20837

or may be turned in at the June MCSL Team Representatives meeting.

Selection Process: Nomination packages will be reviewed by the Auer family who will recommend selectees to the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (CFNCR). The Auer family may consult with coaches, MCSL officials, and/or team representatives when considering awards.

Scholarship Awards: The Scholarship Fund plans to award one or more scholarships on an annual basis. Awards will consist of $1000.00 college scholarships, although higher amounts may be awarded, and will be made payable to the college or university. The check for each award will be released upon receipt of a copy of the bill for the swimmer’s freshman year in college.

Awards Ceremony: Scholarship winners will be announced at the MCSL Coaches’ Long Course Meet.