Scholarship

After Bo’s death, his parents, Jim and Sandi Tkach started the Bo Tkach Foundation to create awareness of mental health issues while providing funding for youth athletic programs, mental health screening and treatment for school-age students, and scholarships in Bo’s honor. Every year, scholarships are awarded to individuals in nine schools in Carbon, Lehigh, and Schuylkill counties. To apply, the student must be a graduating senior preparing to attend a college, university, technical or vocational institution.

The criteria for the Bo Tkach Under the Helmet and Hat Scholarship are unique in that the recipient does not need to be athletically or academically talented, but they do need to be extraordinary in other ways. Much like Bo, the recipient should be selfless, well-rounded, community-minded, have a sincere concern for others, and exhibit the desire to help others and expect nothing in return.

Also unique to this scholarship is that the entire faculty at each school nominates their candidate for the award, which is then submitted to the Foundation Board for approval. The scholarship winners are announced at each of their schools’ award assembly programs and are invited to attend a luncheon along with two guests at which they are honored for their accomplishments. The current award amount is $1,500.00 to each recipient. The Bo Tkach Foundation has honored and preserved Bo’s memory by presenting these monetary scholarships. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $128,000.00 to deserving seniors.