2015 "Blessings of Liberty" Essay Contest

2015 "Blessings of Liberty" Essay Contest

ELIGIBILITY - To be eligible, the writer must be enrolled for the Spring 2015 semester at any public or private high school within Greenville County, SC.

CONTENT - The essay must be positive in tone, emphasizing the benefits of contemporary citizenship guaranteed in the "Bill of Rights" (first ten amendments).  The essay must be the original work of the submitting student.  There must be at least two direct quotations from the US Constitution.  Sources must be identified for all other quotations or references.  It is essential that correct grammar and spelling be used.  The essay must be typed (double space) on plain white paper.  Maximum length: 600 words.  Minimum length: 300 words.

JUDGING - Each entry will be reviewed upon receipt within deadline by at least two educators with graduate degrees.  Finalist papers will be judged by a panel of educators from outside Greenville County.  Decisions by the judges will be final.  In addition to writing style and format, essays will be judged on the power of persuasion, and the author's ability to relate the Constitution to current issues in America.

SUBMISSION - All entries must be hard copy (no electronic), be postmarked on or before Friday, April 10, and mailed to FFI Contest, PO Box 991, Travelers Rest, SC 29690.  Finalists should be notified in May.  Winners will be announced at a ceremony in May.

Dorothy Marron Memorial Scholarship

American Leprosy Missions (ALM) is no accepting Dorothy Marron Memorial Scholarship applications from graduating high school seniors residing in Greenville County who intend to pursue degrees that will lead to a vocation involving international service to poor and disenfranchised peoples in developing countries.  Scholarships are $2,000 per year and may be renewed for up to three years.

For more information and the scholarship application, contact Gwen Smith at 864-241-1741 or scholarships@leprosy.org.

Deadline: April 6, 2015

The Ride of Your Life!

For 18 years, the South Carolina State Fair "Ride of Your Life" Scholarship Program has helped launch bright futures for deserving students in our state.  The fair is excited to continue this tradition by awarding these scholarships to deserving students again in 2015.

Any high school senior in South Carolina is eligible to apply to be a State Fair Scholar.  Potential scholars will find a link to the application below.  The completed application, school transcripts, a current photograph, and an essay on your educational experience in South Carolina is required.

Fifty (50) chosen seniors will be awarded $1,500 per year for up to four years.  The scholarships are to be applied toward post-high school education or training in a South Carolina university, college or technical college.  Students pursuing two-year degrees are eligible for the award and are encouraged to apply.

Prospective scholars will be judged on overall school performance and involvement, as well as extracurricular activities, communication skills and aptitude for completion of the application.  Although this is not a needs-based program, when applicable, need will be taken into consideration.

Fully completed applications must be postmarked by March 13, 2015.  State Fair Scholars will be notified in early May.

For more information and for the scholarship application, visit http://www.scstatefair.org/p/about-us/214.

Contact Info: Betsy Cooper at 803-799-3387 or betsyc@scstatefair.org

Silver Pen Writing Competition and Scholarship

The Silver Pen is an annual scholarship opportunity for high school seniors hosted by Cascades Verdae.  The scholarship has four monetary awards of $1500, $1000, $750, and $500.  All submissions will be judged by our retirement community's Resident Advisory Council which consists of successful retired business professionals, educators, and community leaders.

Criteria for Application

• high school senior living within or attending a school within 25 miles of Cascades Verdae (as SFCS students, you qualify)
• a weighted GPA of 3.0 or above
• demonstration of outstanding character, leadership and citizenship
• participation in extracurricular activities
• one letter of recommendation from a high school faculty, and employer, clergy, or community organization

Essay Rules

• Essay must be the applicant's original work
• Applicants may only enter one time
• Six hundred word essay, typed and double-spaced.  Cover page, title and footnotes do not contribute to word count (name of applicant only on cover page)
• Quotations may be used sparingly and sources must be clearly identified

Judging Guidelines

• Research, insight and perspective
• Theme development
• Inspirational quality
• Creativity
• Clarity of ideas
• Meaningful personal connection
• Essays should concentrate on a theme.  They will be judged on originality, scholarship, including works cited, and mechanics, including correct grammar and spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.

2015 Essay Question

For almost 1400 years people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, until one day when Copernicus dared to think differently and proposed that the earth actually revolved around the sun.  In today's world, we live in a society built upon the ideas and advancements of those who thought differently - those who innovated.  Webster's Dictionary defines innovation "the introduction of something new."  To that point, innovation comes in many different shapes and forms - books, technology, fashion, medicine, etc.

While we are exploring new "frontiers" with social media, apps, etc., one must wonder if the age of innovation is coming to a close.  Have all things that can be created, been created?

Do you think that it is easier to innovate now with all of the technological advancements?  Or, do you think it was easier to innovate without modern advancements and thinking?

Deadline for submissions: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY, 15, 2015

For more information and to apply, visit http://silverpen-slc.com/. 

So Many Scholarships!

Check out this link for a list of 50 scholarship opportunities:  Spokeo Top 50 Scholarships

The scholarships are listed by deadline and amount.  There is the potential of a lot of money here - don't miss out on this opportunity!

South Carolina Honors College Writing Contest

Cash Awards: $1000, $500, $250

All finalists will receive

• lunch with the judges and tours of USC Libraries' Special Collections
• autographed books by SC writers
• editing by professional and academic editors
• publication in a USC Press young writers anthology

Judged by

• Pat Conroy, New York Times best-selling author
• Marjory Wentworth, SC Poet Laureate

How to Enter

In 750 words or less, writing in any genre or combination of genres (essay, short story, poem, etc.), answer the following question:

"How should we improve the state of South Carolina?"

Eligibility

• Open to South Carolina high school juniors and seniors
• Must be a resident of South Carolina

Deadline: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2014

For more information, visit SCHC.sc.edu/writing-contest.

 

College Visits this Week

College Admissions Counselors from Anderson University and Bob Jones University will be at SFCS on Thursday, October 16th.  Stop by the Library during 7th Period to meet the representatives and learn about these schools.  (Bob Jones is bringing donuts!)

Also, don't forget to check out the Scholarships Page on the blog.  We update this page with scholarship opportunities all the time, and there is a lot of available money out there to help fund your college experience.  If you need more information about any of the scholarships, visit us in the Student Services Office, and we can help you out!