2021 winners

Apply for a Difference Maker Scholarship
Get the Application

Please support us as we award scholarships:
Donate

Our Story

On a cold AND ICY Sunday morning on his way to basketball practice, Alex’s car slid off the road resulting in a terrible car accident. Despite a valiant effort, Alex succumbed 27 days later to the injuries he suffered. Alex lived an amazing life and fought hard…

Alex

Scholarships Awarded

Dollars Awarded

Alex Popeck

Alex Popeck

“Most people say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. I like to make grape juice then sit back and watch them try to figure out how I did it.”

Alex’s Never Back Down Principles:

  • Value others because everyone matters.
  • Challenge peers to go beyond self-imposed limits to improve themselves.
  • Strive for one’s best even when faced with challenges.
  • See and Act; notice opportunities to help, protect and support people and act on them/do something about them.

Meet a Few of Our Scholarship Recipients

SophieJorgensen

Sophie Jorgensen

This scholarship means I made a big difference in my peers’ lives.

Meet Sophie

Tanya Kambou

Tanya Kambou

Valuing others is a principle I like to navigate the world with.

Meet Tanya

Isabella Yang

Isabella Yang

It’s so important to see the value and light in other people’s lives.

Meet Isabella

Gigi West

Giandra Taraji-Jaden West (Gigi)

I had to struggle in school; Alex’s Never Back Down philosophy taught me to not give up.

Meet Gigi

Grace Schuler

Grace Schuler

I’m paying my way through college so this scholarship will help me to continue Alex’s legacy through my education.

Meet Grace

Xavier Rivera

Xavier Rivera

I help students go through their challenges in creating their own small businesses and social enterprises.

Meet Xavier

Our Mission & Vision

The Never Back Down Foundation is an organization established in the memory of Alex Popeck, a teen scholar-athlete, to influence teens to recognize that an individual can make a difference in their community. Specifically, the Foundation seeks to recognize teens who notice and act upon a challenge, injustice or need for change in their community, school or family.

The Foundation will raise funds via community-based events and other means to award scholarships to Montgomery County, Maryland high school students attending post-secondary educational institutions. The scholarship recipients will be recognized for demonstrating how they have made a difference in either their community, school, family, or an individual’s life by adopting Alex’s Never Back Down approach; to see and act. These Alex Popeck Difference Makers are recognized each spring.

Please consider donating to the Never Back Down Foundation. All donations are very much appreciated and go toward a great cause.

Scholarships Awarded

Dollars Awarded

Never Back Down

Awarding scholarships to local Montgomery County high school seniors who best embody Alex’s humanitarian values and are making a significant difference in their family, school or community.

Get To Know Us

Donations Welcome

Stay Up To Date!

Keep updated on run dates, scholarship and winner information and more.

Stay Up To Date!

Keep updated on run dates, winners, scholarship announcements and more.

You are now subscribed to our updates!