ABOUT
The Wall Point of View Project began as a creative platform for authentic self-expression, inviting individuals to share their perspectives through art and language as a way to build empathy and understanding. Today, its mission continues through The Willow Tree Scholarship, a program that celebrates thoughtful communication, introspection, and human connection.
The Willow Tree Scholarship supports high school seniors attending school in Orange County, California. Each year, one to five (1-5) recipients are awarded $1,000 scholarship to be used toward their education at any accredited two- or four-year institution in the United States.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply for the Willow Tree Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5.
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Be a high school senior currently attending school in Orange County, California.
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Planning to enroll or apply to an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States, pursuing a degree in any major.
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Submit a personal essay (maximum of three double-spaced pages) or a media submission (such as a video, image, or drawing) in response to the current year’s writing prompt. All submissions, regardless of format, will be evaluated together.
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Accepted File Types:
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Documents: Google Docs, Word
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Presentations: Google Slides
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Images: JPEG, PNG, PDF
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Videos: MP4, MOV
OFFICIAL RULES
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Scholarship recipients must enroll in a two- or four-year accredited college or university within six months of receiving the award.
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Scholarship recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship, which must be used toward college expenses (such as tuition, books, or supplies).
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By submitting an application, you agree to the following terms: grant The Wall Point of View Project permission to publish or feature your submitted essay or media file (such as video or drawings) as part of the “Point of View” educational book series or related media, with appropriate credit given to the creator.
INSPIRATION
The Wall POV Project’s “Willow Tree Scholarship” was established in 2018 in honor of Mr. Lieu Van Pham, a refugee from Vietnam. Upon arriving in the United States, Lieu worked multiple labor-intensive jobs to support his family of six. Although he had earned a degree in Political Science and served as a Lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Navy, starting over in a new country meant working during the day while taking college courses at night.
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Lieu eventually earned an associate degree and later became a pager technician for a local business, all while maintaining his custodial position in the evenings. For more than twenty-five years, Lieu worked two full-time jobs.
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Well educated in a war-torn country, Lieu deeply valued learning and often reminded his children that education, knowledge, and independent thought were treasures no one could ever take away. The name Lieu means “willow” in Vietnamese—symbolizing resilience and grace under hardship.
The Willow Tree Scholarship honors his enduring adaptability through life’s challenges and his unwavering belief in continual self-growth and learning.