Since 2005, teachers, departments, athletic teams, and/or clubs have applied for grants from the PHS Foundation. The Foundation has awarded almost $85,000 in grants. Some fantastic examples of grants are cooktops for the culinary program, keyboards, physics field trips, FFA jackets, special education grants, sheet music, robotics league competitions, a brain, graphing calculators, stethoscopes, reading books, smart board camera, lab coats, classroom tools, and golf cart batteries. We have donated to almost every subject area and department on campus as well as many clubs and athletic teams, positively impacting every Bruin.
The PHS Foundations offers two grant cycles per year--a fall cycle and a winter cycle. Teachers and staff complete a simple application form and a rotating Grants Committee made of up Directors of the Board awards up to $500 per application.
Since 2005, $38,500 in student scholarships have been awarded. The Foundation gives scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to graduating seniors who plan to further their education by attending a four-year college. Added to our scholarship program in 2024/25, we additionally offer a $500 scholarship to graduating Ponderosa students who plan to attend a vocational school or community college.
Ponderosa High School Foundation Scholarship Recipients
2025 – Amanda Shea & Kelly Jones $1000 recipients 2016 – Jody Huber, Alexandra Nisson, Darlene Aguiar
2025 – Jack Hinsz $500 recipient 2015 – Gina Phillipsen, Tristan Hunter
2024 – Brynn Escobar, Katelyn Harnden 2014 – Caitlin Bandera, Emily Fowler
2023 – Ava "AJ" Slojkowski 2012 – Asher Dubin, Emily Sept
2022 – Octavia Gerondakis, Emely Mancilla-Phoenix 2011 – Jenna Lambert
2021 – Anna Archangel, Jack Hughes 2010 – Kelsey Wolf
2020 – Katie Felton, Tori Bernal 2008 – Lane Bacchi
2019 – Annetoinette Acosta, Claire Cockrell 2006 – Micah Price
2018 – Gabrielle Vellue, Mikayla Emlay, Camryn Wilson 2005 – Krysta Woods
2017 – Natalie Palmer, Jacquelyn Silverbush, Elizabeth Gilligan
Launched in 2021 this program of fulfilling teacher wish lists has been a huge success. By the end of 2025, 529 items have been donated to our teachers for a total of $11,500! Watch for your opportunity to donate in the spring and fall of every school year.