Mary El-Beheri Memorial Scholarship and
Sandra Dieckman GTHS Memorial Scholarship

Information

Mary El-Beheri (1938-2012) was a founder and the Executive Director of the Texas State German Contest for 30 years and had a deep passion and commitment to students learning and loving the German language and culture. The TSGC Steering Committee has established a fund to be used for scholarships in her memory. The intent of this scholarship is to recognize a student who also shares a passion for and love of learning the German language and culture. A scholarship in the amount of at least $1000.00 will be awarded each year at the Texas State German Contest Awards Ceremony. 

MEB Eligibility:  

1. The applicant must be a senior who has competed and placed 1st – 5th place at the Texas State German Contest for at least 3 years, including their senior year.
2. The applicant must indicate an intention to continue studying German at the post-secondary level. If the applicant is not immediately attending a post-secondary institution, they must still indicate how further study of German works into their future plans.

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Sandra Dieckman (1968-2023) dedicated over 30 years to teaching and sharing her love of the German language and culture.  She was actively involved with the German Texan Heritage Society and used her roles on their board as well as with Texas State German Contest to continually connect and advance both organizations. The German Texan Heritage Society (GTHS) has established a scholarship in her memory to be awarded annually to a student participating in the Texas State German Contest.  A scholarship in the amount of at least $1000.00 will be awarded each year at the Texas State German Contest Awards Ceremony.

SD GTHS Eligibility:  

1. The applicant must be a senior who has competed and placed 1st – 5th place at the Texas State German Contest for at least 3 years, including their senior year.
2. The applicant must have submitted a research paper to the Research Paper event at least once during their participating years in their Regional contest (Houstonfest, Sprachfest, Winterfest), regardless of placement or qualification for Texas State German Contest.

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Rules:

1. Schools may submit up to 3 applications if there are eligible seniors. Teachers or students may take responsibility for submitting applications on time.
2. Applications will be evaluated by a panel of TSGC Steering Committee members and/or German Texan Heritage Society Members.
3. Sweepstakes points earned in the applicant’s best 3 years at State will play a role in the evaluation, but all other sections of the application will also be considered.
4. The recipient for each scholarship will be announced at the Texas State German Contest awards ceremony, at which time the recipients will receive a letter of instruction about how to claim the scholarship.
5. Scholarships will be paid directly to the post-secondary institution. Arrangements will be made if the student will not immediately be attending a post-secondary institution.

The application must be typed and submitted via the Google Form provided to teachers after the regional contests.
Click here for Mary El-Beheri and Sandra Dieckman GTHS Scholarship Application 2025

Deadline for application is Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM. The application must be typed and submitted via the Google Form provided to teachers after the regional contests. Applicants will be required to upload a Word doc (.docx) to the form, instead of a PDF.