Daniel Endriss Scholarship

 Supporting the dream of making the world a
more compassionate place

DONATE to support the 2021 SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 2019 by Marc and Debra Endriss in loving memory and appreciation of the life and spirit of their son.  The scholarship fund aims to provide financial assistance to local students committed to pursuing studies in Behavioral Health, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field with the objective is to support students who will carry forward Daniel’s dream of helping others and working with a purpose. The scholarship will help support recipients who share Daniel’s educational and career goals of making a difference in people’s lives.

A scholarship in the amount of $2,000 will be awarded to a qualified Eastlake High School Senior attending a four-year college or university.
Applicants intending to major in psychology, behavioral science, or related fields of study are preferred but this is not a prerequisite.

DONATE to support the 2021 SCHOLARSHIP FUND

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Daniel’s Story

Daniel Endriss was a lifelong resident of Chula Vista, California. He attended Calvary Christian Academy, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Eastlake Middle School, and graduated from Eastlake High School in 2015. He studied Biology at San Diego State University and recently had begun his pursuit of a B.S. degree in behavioral health science with an emphasis in childhood and adolescence disorders from Grand Canyon University.

Daniel often expressed his desire to “work with a purpose”. This was reflected in his choice of studies as well as his plans for the future. He had recently passed the examination to work for the Chula Vista Elementary School District as an Instructional Assistant/Student Attendant and was scheduled to start his orientation for this position at the time of his passing. He wanted to work helping troubled and at-risk kids.

Daniel had many interests. He enjoyed playing baseball and spent many happy days with his baseball friends and family. He had a strong interest in science and was a member of the Astronomy Club at Eastlake High and worked as a student research assistant in the Biology department at San Diego State. Daniel was a member of the wrestling team at Eastlake, which he enjoyed immensely. His wrestling experience led him to martial arts training, and this became a very important part of his life. He trained in Jui-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Judo. His relationships at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in Chula Vista were very important in his life.

Daniel’s biggest passion (apart from his love of his family, friends, and long-time girlfriend) was music. He was a gifted guitarist and enjoyed composing his own work. He loved to play anything with strings. He was a self-taught piano player as well. He had very diverse musical tastes, from classical to metal. He heard music in his head all of his life.

2020 Scholarship Recipient: Sarah Woodward

The 2020 Daniel Endriss Memorial Scholarship Committee is very pleased to announce Sarah Woodward as the recipient of this year’s award. Sarah is a graduate of Eastlake High School (Class of 2020).  She was an AP Scholar with Honor and was named to the Principal’s Honor Roll upon graduation.  She is also the recipient of a scholarship from The Western Undergraduate Exchange Program which she will use to attend Montana State University in the fall of 2020.

Sarah has been involved in community projects large and small.  From her sister Jessie’s Girl Scouts Troop, the annual Alex’s Lemonade Stand for fighting childhood cancer, and the San Diego branch of Feeding America, Sarah has been involved in helping others in her community. She spent last summer at Scripps Mercy Hospital in the Scripps High School Explorers Program as an intern, experiencing health care firsthand.

Sarah is majoring in Psychology at Montana State University.  Her intention is to continue onto medical school after obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree. Her career goal is to become a psychiatrist in under-served areas of the U.S. and Canada.  She wants to provide mental health services to those who would not otherwise have access to such resources.

When asked about her influences, Sarah replied, “Obviously I’d like to thank my family for their unconditional support, but I also need to thank my friends for the love and patience that they have shown me, without which I would undoubtedly not be here.  My teachers have also had a massive impact on me, especially my Humanities and Peer Mediation teacher Mr. (Mark) Brickley, my AP English Literature teacher Mrs. (Kamryn) Dobbins, and my AP Language teacher Mrs. (Marina) Hughes.  Thank you for your guidance!” Sarah spoke about the importance of compassion in today’s world:

“If hate is the product of ignorance, then compassion is born from understanding and understanding is impossible without listening. The pace of today’s world is relentless, unforgiving: the promotion of such intense individualism ironically creates the most demand for compassion.  So, my plan is simply to listen and help others do the same. If we truly hear and understand each other, then there is no more room in our hearts to hate.”

Congratulations, Sarah Woodward! We cannot wait to see your continued success!

 The 2020 scholarship application and selection has completed.  Please check back Spring 2021 for the next scholarship opportunity.