The Stewardship Trust

The words, “Stewardship Trust” describe a priceless asset, namely the repository of experience, hard work and achievement represented by the life and work of the men and women who have been awarded the Laureate medal and those who will be honored in the future. The value of that asset grows when the Laureates’ experience, commitment and financial resources are invested in selecting and mentoring those who follow in their footsteps.

With the help of Dr. Edgar B. Hatrick, III, former superintendent of the Loudoun County Public School (LCPS) and his colleagues, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation has formalized the investment of its Laureates’ time and talents by seeking out students with great potential who may not otherwise have been recognized or supported and helping them.

As an honoree awarded the Laureate medal in 2013, Dr. Hatrick introduced the Foundation to the directors of two programs within the LCPS that give guidance and support to students in the underserved population in higher education. As a result of that initiative the Loudoun Laurels Foundation established formal partnerships with two excellent programs currently active in the LCPS, the College Achievement Minority Program for Unique Students (CAMPUS) and the Advancement by Individual Determination program (AVID).

CAMPUS seeks to provide support and encouragement to students who demonstrate the ability to achieve academic success and college admission and is designed to meet the specific needs of minority and first-generation college students. AVID is a national program targeting students in the academic middle who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard in rigorous high school courses.

During that first year our Laureates and staff worked with the CAMPUS and AVID directors to provide mentors and support for mentorship experiences. Thanks to our sponsors and donors, in May 2013, the Foundation awarded the first two Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust scholarships, each in the amount of $40,000, to be paid to the Virginia college or university of his or her choice in annual installments of up to $10,000 for the four-year terms of their respective college careers.

Since 2013, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation has awarded $1,080,000 million in the aggregate in scholarship funds to 27 LCPS high school students who are the first in their families to attend college and whose potential for success has been demonstrated by hard work and personal sacrifice. By the end of the academic year in May 2023, 94% of the Loudoun Laurels Scholars had either graduated from college or were currently enrolled. Of the 27 students who have received Loudoun Laurels Stewardship Trust scholarships since the inception of the program, 19 have graduated, seven are successfully pursuing their college careers, two entered college in the fall of 2023, and one is no longer enrolled. Three of our Loudoun Laurels Scholars are pursuing masters or doctoral degrees.

In July 2019, the Loudoun Laurels Foundation received more than $500,000 from generous donors to establish an endowment that will ensure the long-term future of its scholarship program.

The Foundation is currently seeking corporations, foundations and individuals to become contributors to its endowment, thereby enabling us to increase the number of four-year scholarships awarded each year to deserving students who, without these scholarships, may not have the opportunity to attend college.

To become a donor to the Loudoun Laurels Foundation Endowment, or to sponsor a Loudoun Laurels Scholar, please contact Nikki Daruwala via email at nikki@loudounlaurels.org.