2011 Scholarship Essay Contest
The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Research invites all graduating, college-bound high school senior girls to participate in its 17th annual scholarship essay contest. The Women’s Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that for 32 years has been providing Houston area women and girls with the tools they need to be advocates for their health. This scholarship endowment was generously established by the Hoglund Foundation.
Scholarships
- Four winners will each receive a $500 scholarship and a certificate of achievement.
- Scholarships will be given only for use at an institution of higher learning (accredited 2- or 4-year college or university), and the student must be enrolled full-time.
- Scholarship funds will be issued in the name of the institution once the student has completed the enrollment process. It is up to the student to notify The Women’s Fund regarding choice of school and to provide proof of full-time enrollment.
Essay topic
Studies show that Texas adolescents have a higher chance of engaging in risky behaviors than adolescents across the nation. For consideration of this scholarship, please answer at least one of the questions below based on what tools you think young women (and/or men) need to engage in healthy behavior earlier in life. You are encouraged to cite statistics, research and articles as appropriate.
Areas you might consider covering or as a single focus include:
- What are the skills you need to engage in healthy behaviors as a child, teen, or adult? What is skills-based education and how does that relate to health education?
- What is the difference between gaining ‘knowledge,” and gaining ‘knowledge, skills and attitudes’? How does each affect your ability to make decisions?
- Is academic excellence affected by physical and emotional wellness? If so, what does this mean for someone of your age?
Eligibility
In order to be considered as a candidate for the scholarship, participants must:
- be enrolled in the 12th grade
- attend a high school in Houston or the surrounding area
- plan to graduate at the end of the 2010-2011 school year
- plan to attend an institution of higher learning starting in fall of 2011
- sign the release form on the essay cover sheet allowing The Women’s Fund to use their photographs, name, and essay content in public relations materials
Winners will be chosen based on:
- their answer to the essay topic
- their ability to clearly communicate ideas and opinions through their writing
- their ability to follow the essay guidelines and instructions
Guidelines
- Each participant may submit only one essay
- Essays must be typed or legibly printed
- Essays must be between 1,000 and 1,500 words
- Each essay must be submitted with the included cover sheet
- Essays should be written in first-person point of view, and only the cover sheet should include any identifying information. Essays with the participant’s name, address or any other identification on the pages or in the body of the essay will be disqualified.
- The Participant Release on the cover sheet must be signed by the participant or by a parent/guardian if the participant is under 18. Those participants submitting their essays by email must include the cover sheets with their essays and mail a signed cover sheet to The Women’s Fund offices at the address below.
Essays may be submitted one of two ways:
- Mailed to:
Katherine Stackel
The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Research
5353 W. Alabama, Suite 615
Houston, TX 77056
- Emailed to:
Katherine Stackel, Manager of Education and Outreach
Katherine@thewomensfund.org
Participants who submit their essays by email must include the cover sheet with their essays and mail a signed cover sheet to The Women’s Fund offices at the address above.
Hand delivered and faxed essays will not be accepted.
Deadline: The deadline is Friday, April 15, 2011.
Essay submissions must be received by email or postmarked by Friday, April 15, 2011 to be considered. Late essays will be disqualified.
Questions can be directed to Katherine Stackel, Manager of Education and Outreach, at 713-623-6543 or Katherine@thewomensfund.org.
Essay cover sheet >>
More information here.
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