2025 Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship Recipient Announced

The Steward School community will welcome a new Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship recipient in fall 2025: Sydney Duda ’29. The scholarship honors Debbie Robson, associate head of school for community advancement, who died in 2014. A beloved member of the Steward community, Ms. Robson was known for her generous heart and her problem-solving skills. 

This prestigious scholarship provides four years of full Upper School tuition for a rising ninth grader who is new to Steward. Recipients are chosen for their academic distinction, outstanding character, and extracurricular involvement. This is the eleventh year that Steward has awarded the scholarship. 

Upper School Division Director Bobby Pollicino, a member of the Steward team that interviewed candidates for the scholarship, was impressed by Sydney’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence and her dedication to community service. 

“Sydney will bring a sense of purpose with her to Steward. It was clear to the committee how much she cares about her academic experience in addition to athletics. Specifically, she referenced opportunities with our Leadership Program, the ability to engage with her peers and the content in small classes, and the welcoming community. We look forward to supporting and celebrating Sydney throughout the next four years,” said Mr. Pollicino. 

Sydney Duda ’29
Sydney, currently an eighth grader at St. Mary’s Catholic School, has a wide range of interests, including art, choir, space exploration, Spanish, art, engineering, and community service. A dedicated athlete, she is a member of St. Mary’s basketball and volleyball teams — experiences that offer her opportunities to develop and sharpen her athletic and leadership skills. “Sports teach me the values and responsibilities of being a leader,” she noted in her scholarship application. 

Throughout middle school at St. Mary’s, Sydney has participated in engineering and technology clubs, including Cubes in Space, Rocket Club, and the Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC). An annual competition for high school and college students, HERC challenges students to design, build, and race human-powered, collapsible vehicles over simulated lunar terrain. “Our HERC team is one of only two middle schools selected to compete in the NASA competition, which will be held in Huntsville, Alabama April 11-12,” she said proudly. An artist at heart, Sydney’s creative expression took flight when she created a logo and blueprints for her HERC team. 

Sharing her time and talent with the community is important to Sydney, who volunteered at a summer vacation bible camp, helped coach a summer basketball league, and assisted an art teacher who needed help because of an injury. 

Asked what she most looks forward to as a Spartan, she said, “I look forward to participating in Steward’s extensive art program. I’d also like to try the pickleball club!”

On April 5, the Steward community gathered on campus for a brunch to give a special Spartan welcome to Sydney and to celebrate Ms. Robson’s legacy. Attendees included Ms. Robson’s son, Kip, who gave a heartfelt talk, and members of his family. Several past recipients of the Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship were also in attendance, and Mr. Robson chatted with each of them. Make a gift to Steward’s Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship.

Past recipients of the Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship:

Lexi Turner ’28 (2024)

Lourdes Olivencia ’27 (2023)

Natalia Jimenez ’26 (2022)

Xavier Nelson ’25 (2021)

Ana Reveles Leon '24 (2020)

Bella Topich '23 (2019)

Lucia Fogler '22 and Alaina Jefferson '22 (2018)

Jack Morgan '21 and Nicole Odibo '21 (2017)

Matthew Cantor '20 and Sonali Sanjay '20 (2016)

Morgan King '19 and Aayush Lalwaney '19 (2015)