Character Counts! Washington County

Character Counts! Washington County Tri-State Coalition

Scholarship 2015

The goal of the scholarship is to promote character building traits throughout the tri-state region adjacent to Washington County Maryland. Scholarship awards will be based on individuals who demonstrate the best representation of the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! The six pillars are – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The scholarship recipient must be pursuing post high school education- a 2 yr. or 4 yr. college or technical school. Applicants must attend a public high school with a Character Counts program within Washington County Maryland or the Greencastle-Antrim, Waynesboro Pennsylvania school systems.

A selection committee from the Washington County Character Counts coalition will make the awards at their discretion. Award will be for a one time five hundred dollar scholarship. Winners will be notified by May 7, 2015. Criteria for Selection:

1. Personal merit and personification of the pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! 2. Commitment to further education Timeline:

1. January 12, 2015 – Applications available at High Schools through school counselors. 2. March 12, 2015 – Applications are due by 4 pm. Late applications will not be reviewed. 3. April 10, 2015 – Applications reviewed by selection committee. Award decisions made. 4. May 7, 2015 – Scholarship winners and high school principals notified.

Completion of Application: Read these directions carefully!

1. Answer all questions thoroughly, please type your information. Refrain from use of acronyms or abbreviation. Attach the essay to the application; follow the instructions on the application regarding typing and spacing of the essay. 2. Submit application in 9 X 12 envelope; submit original and 6 copies, no staples please. Include 2 sealed completed recommendation forms. 3. Applicants must follow application format or request will not be considered for award. 4. Submitted applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to the Character Counts Office by Thursday March 12, 2015 to: Character Counts Office Attention: Scholarship Committee/Carolyn Brooks 131 West North Avenue Hagerstown, Md. 21740

CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship Recommendation Form

Student: Fill in the information directly below, place your name on the front of an envelope, and give this form along with the envelope to the person acting as a reference. Have the person completing this form place it in the envelope, seal the flap, sign his/her name across the sealed flap, and return the envelope to you. The two sealed references MUST be included with your application. One reference MUST be a member of the faculty of your school. One MUST be a supervisor from a work/volunteer site. Neither reference can be related to you.

Student name ______Home Address ______City/State/Zip ______Home phone ______High School ______School Address ______Principal’s Name ______

Reference: How long have you known the applicant in what context? ______

What are the first four words that come to your mind to describe this student? ______

Please describe the student’s strength of character. How have you seen this student display the character traits of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship? Please give specific examples. Also include any information which you feel will help differentiate this applicant from others. (Attach another sheet of paper if necessary) Please provide a description of the applicant’s relative maturity, integrity, independence, intellectual purpose, judgment, special talents, initiative, and potential for post high school educational commitment. (If you attach a typed reference, please DO NOT STAPLE it to the page.)

Name of reference ______Date ______Address ______CHARACTER COUNTS! SCHOLARSHIP 2015 Application Form

(Please attach NO information to this application that is not requested. NO 2-sided documents should be submitted.)

Applicant’s Name ______

High School ______

Home Address ______

City/State/Zip ______

Home Phone ______

E-mail Address ______

A. CHARACTER COUNTS! Essay Please answer the questions in Paragraphs 1 & 2 herein. Use a separate sheet of paper and clip it to this form when finished. The TYPED essay should be no more than 2 pages with 1 inch margins around, in 12 point font. Paragraph 1: Other than a relative, who is the most important role model in your life who has helped you develop one of the Six Pillars (of CHARACTER COUNTS!) in your character? Paragraph 2: How have you incorporated that influence into your life, and why is it important to you to do so? What are you intentions in pursuing additional education, and how do you see your future goals reflecting your character education.

B. After High School Please tell us to which schools you have applied, why you chose those schools, and field of study, if known. If you have been accepted to a particular school indicate school name and address. ______List leadership roles, honors and awards received during high school. ______

For what other scholarships and aid have you applied and what is the status of your application(s)? Please note that the checks given to students via this scholarship will have to be deposited with the school of your choice, and will be made out to both student and school. ______

C. Service to the Community/Volunteering –

1. List all Service Learning and Volunteer Activities (separate “out of school” from school activities). List the length of participation time for each activity.

2. Please describe a service learning or volunteer experience that was the most meaningful to you, and why?

By my signature, I verify that all of the above information is accurate, and is honestly stated.

Signature of Student ______Date ______

Winners involved in activity deemed to be in direct contradiction of the CHARACTER COUNTS philosophy may lose scholarship award.