Nancy O’Connor
Memorial Scholarships
Nancy O’Connor dedicated most of her professional career to Santa Ana Unified School District, the students and the local community. During her career which spanned almost 50 years, she gave of herself emotionally, financially and professionally to help the schools and families she worked with. Some of her favorite moments were her teaching moments. Visiting and dedicating time to a child with special needs, or helping a panicking young mother feel a sense of accomplishment and self worth meant the world to her.
She began her career as an English teacher and finished as a visiting home teacher for the Special Education program. She became the first female Principal of Saddleback High School, SAUSD’s Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, and she headed the Teen Parent Support Services Program and Independent Study Program.
In recognition of her dedication to the Santa Ana Unified School District, the Nancy O’Connor Memorial Scholarships have been created to honor Nancy’s long career in SAUSD as a teacher and administrator.
The two scholarships will be awarded to a student who has demonstrated strength by overcoming adversity related to health, family, social, educational or economic challenges and demonstrating a potential for achievement. The recipient of one of the two scholarships will be awarded to a teen parent. Both scholarships will be awarded to students based on counselor or administrator recommendation. Each scholarship is awarded for 2 school years, for a total of $4000 per recipient.