Collins 8 Foundation

The Collins 8 Foundation is the scholarship arm of the Collins Strong Foundation, dedicated to supporting students affected by tragedy through education. If you wish to learn more about the broader mission of the Collins Strong Foundation, please click here for more information.

OUR STORY

The Tomball High School 2022 baseball team comprised a group of worthy young men with many talents and admirable attributes, including their teammate and dear friend Waylon Collins. Tragically, nearly two years ago, Waylon, his grandfather, his two brothers, and cousin were killed by an escaped convict at their family ranch in Centerville, TX. This horrific incident, one of the deadliest prison breaks in Texas history, devastated their family and our entire community.

In the wake of this tragedy, these young men have vowed to honor their teammate #8 and the other members of the Collins family by ensuring that good triumphs over darkness. As Tomball Baseball Moms and Dads, we share this commitment along with community leaders and companies who have joined our cause. As such, we are establishing a foundation to endow a scholarship and build a memorial at the baseball field, the site where the Tomball Community gathered after the tragedy.

To realize this vision, we are asking for your commitment to try to make more good than evil come from this and other senseless tragedies that impact children. Our scholarship will seek to provide kids with educational support who have been impacted by similar tragedies in their youth, such as the Uvalde Elementary school shooting, which happened within weeks of the Collins family tragedy, or more recently, the Green Elementary bus crash.

COACHING STAFF

Meet the team behind Collins 8 Foundation.

Supporters

We are grateful to our community supporters who believe in our mission!

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Scholarship Application

Welcome to the Collins 8 Foundation Scholarship Application. We are honored to support students who have faced personal tragedy and are pursuing higher education or vocational training. Please complete the application below and upload all required documents. Ensure all fields are filled out before submitting. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Application
Personal Statement Option A In 500 words or less, please describe how the personal tragedy has impacted your life, your journey of healing, and how education or training will help shape your future. Personal Statement Option B In 500 words or less, describe a specific challenge or tragedy you have faced, how it has influenced your life, and the steps you’ve taken to move forward. Explain how receiving this scholarship would help you achieve your educational or vocational goals, and how you hope to use your experiences to make a positive impact on your community or others in the future.
Provide a recommendation letter from a counselor, teacher, or community leader who can speak to your resilience and commitment to your goals.
Please upload your acceptance letter or proof of enrollment from an accredited college, university, or vocational training program.
Submit your most recent transcript or report card, or a certificate of achievement from a vocational training program.
Is there anything else you would like the selection committee to know about you or your circumstances? For example: 1. Career Goals and Aspirations 2. Explanation of Special Circumstances 3. Unique Achievements or Experiences 4. Commitment to the Community or Leadership 5. Personal Motivation