You don’t need a 4.0 to be remarkable

At Daniel Stark, we believe that true greatness isn’t defined by grades alone. That’s why we created our Extraordinary Scholarship program for Texas high school students in 2015. This program is designed to celebrate and reward students who possess an extraordinary drive to achieve remarkable things. 

We proudly award five Texas students with $1,000 scholarships each year to support their educational journey.  

Our founders, Danny Daniel and Jonathan Stark, are successful attorneys and entrepreneurs who deeply value their communities. They advocate for everyday people and created our scholarship program to bridge the gap between ordinary individuals and extraordinary success. Danny and Jonathan believe that greatness isn’t solely defined by someone’s grades or exceptional attributes, but rather by their determination and passion to make a difference in the world. 

Applicants are required to submit a 1-2 page essay on one of three topics: their life experiences, entrepreneurial spirit, or passions. Our scholarship recipients are chosen based on their compelling stories of personal growth, resilience, and determination. We seek students who can express their passions and demonstrate an entrepreneurial mindset that views problems as opportunities. 

In 2023, our scholarship winners showcased a wide range of interests, achievements, and future aspirations. 

One winner organized an arts and music festival that brought together local high school talent, uniting teenage bands and visual artists. Their passion for live music resulted in a successful event that attracted hundreds of attendees and inspired more gatherings. This student realized their passion extended beyond music — they loved bringing people together to celebrate creativity. 

Another scholarship winner turned their personal struggle with a speech impediment into a powerful source of motivation. Despite facing bullying in school, they conquered their fear of speaking and delivered a flawless valedictorian speech. This experience ignited a passion within them to help others overcome communication barriers. With aspirations to become a speech-language pathologist, this winner aims to make a lasting impact on those who struggle with communication disorders. 

One winner drew inspiration from an ice cream shop that exclusively hired individuals with disabilities. This winner then embarked on a mission to connect students with special needs to other local businesses. After securing a grant to support their initiative and carefully matching student skill sets to businesses, this winner made a significant difference in their community and has created valuable job opportunities for students with disabilities. 

We’re not looking for the captain of the football team or the president of the student council. We’re looking for students that have shown the willingness to be remarkable in their own unique way. Any Texas high school student who aspires to achieve greatness can enter our Extraordinary Scholarship program. 

Through the Extraordinary Scholarship program at Daniel Stark, we aim to empower and inspire the next generation to make a positive difference in the world. 

Congratulations to all our 2023 scholarship winners!