Punch Woods Memorial Scholarship

Charles “Punch” Woods

Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona has established the Punch Woods Memorial Scholarship to honor the legacy of our friend and long-time Board Member, Charles Taylor “Punch” Woods.

Punch moved to Tucson, AZ in 1977. In 1993, he retired after 25 years of service as the Executive Director of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Punch played a major role in efforts to educate the public about the death penalty in Arizona. His leadership was integral to the formation of Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona.

The Punch Woods Memorial Scholarship is open to students of all ages, including grade school students and graduate students. Up to $500 will be awarded to students who establish an interest in learning about the death penalty and commit to presenting the results of their educational inquiry to other members of the public.

Below is a step-by-step guide for how to apply for the Punch Woods Memorial Scholarship.

  • Draft a letter with the following requirements:

    • A brief introduction of yourself including background information about your current grade level, education, and why you're interested in studying the death penalty.

    • Present a proposal outlining the specific issue related to the death penalty that your are interested in studying. Explain why this issue is significant and how you plan to address it through your educational inquiry.

    • Describe how you intend to share the results of your educational inquiry. Specify the medium you will use (e.g., video, art, PowerPoint, blog post) and how you plan to share this information. Be sure to identify your audience.

    • Be sure to include the amount of scholarship funds you request and what they will be utilized for. Some examples might include materials, equipment, tuition, workshop fees, travel expenses, or technology costs.

Before submitting your application, carefully review your letter to ensure it is clear and concise. Be sure to review the scholarship application requirements in full. Submit your letter by clicking the button below.

Scholarship Requirements

Scholarship Award Recipients

Tori Choate

  • Tori Choate, a 2L at Arizona State University's law school, plans to expand the death penalty prisoner database, analyze disparities in application, and present her findings for her graduation requirement for law school. Her scholarship award assisted in covering research expenses and helped with tuition costs.

Bella Sasselli

  • Bella Sasselli's research focuses on Arizona's death penalty history and racial demographics from 1920 to 2022. Through meticulous examination of archival records and statistical analysis, Bella seeks to uncover racial disparities in the state's execution practices. This research sheds light on historical injustices and advocates for reform within Arizona's criminal justice system. Bella’s scholarship award assisted in continuing her college education.

Gillian Mccomeskey

  • Gillian Mccomeskey, a fourth-year student at Arizona State University, plans to continue her cold case analysis work. Drawing from her internship with Death Penalty Alternatives Arizona, she aims to raise awareness about cold cases, particularly focusing on Missing Veterans in Arizona. Gillian plans to share her findings through presentations, newspaper articles, and outreach activities. She emphasizes her dedication to solving cold cases and expresses gratitude for the opportunity the scholarship would provide.

Amanda Webster

  • Amanda’s proposal reflects her profound change in perspective on the death penalty, influenced by personal encounters and extensive research during her internship with DPAA. Amanda plans to use a $500 scholarship to raise awareness for justice reform and support death penalty exonerees through two initiatives: creating impactful artwork and designing a community mural. . Amanda plans to both initiatives on their YouTube channel to engage their audience in advocacy efforts and cultivate a virtual community dedicated to justice reform.