Stan Spottswood '80

For over 3 decades, Mr. Spottswood has built a reputation as an outstanding musician and educator. Nationally known as a pianist, conductor, published composer, and choral music educator, he has performed with many of the great music minds of his generation. Yet his greatest desire has always been to use his talent to help his students succeed and to grow as musicians and as individuals. His role as a music educator is a ministry that has impacted thousands of young people and adults alike. The key to his success as a teacher is not just his pedagogical excellence, knowledge, and talent, but his resolve to serve without expecting anything in return. He always teaches his classes for the benefit of the student and not for himself. This idea stems from his faith in God. He believes that his relationship with God is the key to his success as an educator.

In addition to his educational excellence, Mr. Spottswood goes beyond the call of duty to make himself available to students and their families during times of crisis. He has the unique ability to be sensitive to what his students need at the moment and can make adjustments in his lessons by adapting to the current situation. This type of sensitivity has been demonstrated in his relationships with specific students. Such was the case with current senior Nia Ramsammy, whose family is establishing this scholarship in honor of Mr. Spottswood. As a Freshman, Nia’s father Arnold was diagnosed with cancer. As a junior, he almost lost his life battling another health challenge. Finally, Arnold passed away during Nia’s senior year. According to Nia, it was the message in the music that she learned in the chorus from Mr. Spottswood that kept her strong during these difficult times. She feels that being in a choir is as much about growing socially and spiritually as it is about growing musically. Mr. Spottwood’s continual support and wise counsel continue to provide leadership to the students in the Good Counsel Choir. In addition, his pedagogical excellence, kindness, and compassion continually add to his legacy as an outstanding servant leader of young people.

Therefore in his honor, the Ramsammy/Eversly family has established the Stan Spottswood Servant Leader scholarship in his honor. Each year this scholarship will be awarded to a female, who is a three-year choir student. This student must be a servant leader and exemplifies the ideals that Mr. Spottswood stresses including good character, musical talent, commitment, and excellence. The recipient must be need-based and have a GPA of at least 3.