President Rick Commons introduced the Ted Walch Scholar Endowment, named in honor of former Performing Arts Instructor Ted Walch, at an occasion celebrating his life and profession August 21. Established by Marc and Julie Platt (Samantha ’01, Jonah ’04, Hannah ’08, Ben ’11, Henry ’17), the scholarship will assist to offer college students who’re taken with performing or cinematic arts with monetary assist.
Walch taught every of the Platt’s 5 kids whereas they attended the varsity. In 2014, the Platts established the Ted Walch Endowed College Chair to honor Walch’s position as a trainer and mentor, which helps college compensation by paying the wage of whoever holds the endowed chair
Commons stated Walch was emotional when he heard the information in regards to the scholarship.
“Once I shared the information with Ted, that henceforth and without end there could be a scholarship at Harvard-Westlake in his title, he was overcome with tears of pleasure,” Commons stated in his speech.
Head of Exterior Relations Ed Hu stated the Platts wished to honor Walch by supporting college students due to the hundreds he impacted.
“Marc and Julie Platt requested [Commons] and me what they might do to honor Ted this time, mentioning that they wished to concentrate on college students and [Walch’s] life-long dedication and affect he’s had on so many children,” Hu stated. “And so, the dialog turned towards supporting monetary assist, one other high precedence of the varsity. [The Platts] cherished the concept of serving to college students with expertise and keenness for performing arts or movie who in any other case wouldn’t have the assets to attend Harvard-Westlake.”
Isaac Tiu ’24 stated he was moved by the Platts honoring Walch by way of supporting the performing arts.
“I used to be profoundly impressed listening to in regards to the Platt’s donation,” Tiu stated. “The performing arts significantly profit from helps just like the Platt household. What actually impressed me, although, was listening to the scholarship could be named after Ted Walch. What an attractive approach to maintain his title alive.”
Hu stated the scholarship is an unbelievable approach to honor Walch’s legacy and add to the lasting affect he made on the varsity.
“Not solely does this present assist a high precedence of the varsity to extend the socioeconomic variety of Harvard-Westlake, this ensures that Ted Walch’s title will without end be remembered and related to college students at Harvard-Westlake in these areas that Ted cared so deeply about,” Hu stated.