Karen G. Kerr Memorial Scholarship 2021

Karen Talucad is a Santana High School legend. Even if you don’t know her name, you know her legacy. By the time she graduated in 1995, she had left her artistic stamp on the school. She drew the famous Santana Sultan mascot that is still used a quarter century later. In her time at SHS, she created copious amounts of art as class and ASB publicity officer, often arriving at school well before it started and staying long after other students had left. Her work ethic and dedication to the yearbook her senior year led yearbook advisor Shelly Guinan to declare that she had “CHANGED my life.” Everywhere she went, Karen left behind that same feeling of gratitude. She was studious yet hilarious, sweet yet witty, artistic and academic. She worked hard not only artistically but also academically. Her wit and sardonic humor filled the halls of Santana with laughter, and her hard work earned her top grades in challenging advanced placement classes. 

Karen Kerr gave her heart and soul and art to Santana, and her death leaves a hole in the ether. We would like to dedicate a memorial art scholarship in her honor, to foster similar artistic joy and dedication in the Santana community.  She had not only a gift for visual arts, but a passion for music and literary arts. In her adulthood, she dedicated time to mental health awareness as well. We would like it to support a student each year who embodies Karen’s spirit of wit, artistic talent, kindness, and dedication to the SHS community.

The recipient of the inaugural Karen G. Kerr Memorial Scholarship will be Elise Kerr, Karen's daughter, who will be graduating from Patrick Henry High School this week.