The Countryside Waves Board of Directors established the Alex Stiles Memorial Scholarship Fund in 2022 to honor Alex Stiles’ memory, with the intention of awarding an annual scholarship in the coming years to graduating seniors.

About Alex

In 2022, Alex Stiles, a former Waves swimmer, passed away unexpectedly at age 19. Alex was a longtime member of the Countryside Waves, and a valued member of our team. Alex began his swimming career as a Ripple and swam on our team every year until the pandemic hit and the 2020 season did not happen. Alex also swam for Potomac Falls High School before graduating in 2021. Alex made fast friends on the Waves, and we remember him fondly as an energetic young man with a brilliant smile. Alex was always supportive of his younger brother Chris and all other members of the team. We remember him cheering on his teammates, playing in the team area, and encouraging his relay team members before races. 

The Alex Stiles Memorial Scholarship

This year, a scholarship is available to eligible Countryside Waves swimmers who graduated from high school in 2023. This scholarship is intended to reward exceptional leadership and sportsmanship demonstrated by a graduating member of the Countryside Waves swim team. 

Key eligibility criteria include: 

  • 2023 High School Graduate
  • Current Countryside Waves Swimmer
  • 2.5 GPA or higher
  • Parent/Guardian has completed or signed up to complete all required Countryside Waves volunteer jobs for the current season
  • Accepted into a college, university or accredited trade school without a full scholarship
  • Examples of exceptional leadership and sportsmanship 
Completed applications are due using the Google form by July 7, 2023. Please review the PDF version of the application before completing it in the Google form. Applications will only be accepted through the Google form. 
 
Applications will be evaluated by a committee of parents and community members, and applications will not include the names of applicants (i.e., a blind evaluation process).
 
 If there are any questions, please contact Countryside Waves at [email protected]. 

Donations

Donations to the Scholarship Fund can be made via Venmo: