Morris Scholarship 2009

Every two years Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school, and this is one of our years!

This is a scholarship that was established by The Morris Family, longtime concessionaires at ESE.  A total of three $500 scholarships are awarded each year.  In 2009 and future odd-numbered years, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont will each name a scholarship recipient.  In even-numbered years, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut name a scholarship recipient.

Each state must notify the ESE Agriculture and Education Department of the winner’s name at least one week prior to the 4-H Day Scholarship Presentation.  It is up to each state to notify their recipient and arrange for the winner to be present on 4-H Day (the first Saturday, September 19, 2009) at The Big E. We need your assistance to nominate candidates.  Each commodity may use whatever selection process they consider appropriate to nominate one or two members of their ESE team from 2009, or a prior year, for this scholarship.  The Activity Coordinator (AC), or their designee, must submit a letter of nomination and recommendation for each nominee.  To avoid possible conflict of interest, the letter of nomination and recommendation should not be written by an immediate family member of the nominee.  For example, if you are the AC of the committee and your son or daughter is being nominated, have someone else on the committee write the letter of nomination and recommendation.

Criteria:

To be eligible for the Maine 2009 Big E Morris 4-H Scholarship, nominees must:

1. Be a member of a 2009 or prior Maine ESE team (Beef, Dairy, Dog, Goat, Horse, Sheep, or Working Steer).

2. Graduate from high school in 2009 or 2010 and continue their education beyond high school in one of the following: two- or four-year colleges or universities, technical schools, professional training, or apprenticeship programs.

3. Have demonstrated leadership as a Maine 4-H member, at the local, state, or regional level.

4. Be a junior or senior in high school and in good academic standing.

5. Be recommended by the appropriate Animal Science Committee for their commodity.

Nomination Process:

Complete nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m., Monday, August 3^rd, 2009

To be considered, nominations must include these three components:

1. A letter of nomination and recommendation from the Activity Coordinator, or their designee, of the appropriate Animal Science Committee for their commodity.

2. A letter from the nominee regarding their qualifications for the scholarship that includes information about their:

   1. Participation on a Maine ESE team in 2009 or prior.

   2. Intention to continue their education beyond high school in 2009 or 2010, including area of study or training and possible location.

   3. Leadership as a Maine 4-H member at the local, state, or regional level.

3. A copy of the applicant’s high school transcript or equivalent.

Application materials must be sent to:
Jessy Brainerd
Maine State 4-H Office
5741 Libby Hall, Room 103
Orono, ME  04469-5741
Fax: 207-581-1387
jbrainerd@umext.maine.edu 

All applications and supporting materials must be received, by mail, fax, or e-mail, by 4:30 p.m., Monday, August 3^rd, 2009.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee at the State 4-H Office.

The winner will be notified by Friday, August 21, 2009.  ESE has requested that the scholarship recipients be present at ESE on 4-H Day to receive their award.  If the Maine winner is not able to attend, we will designate someone to receive the award on his or her behalf.

If you have any questions, please contact Donna Flint at 1-800-287-1535 or Michaele Bailey at 1-800-287-0274.

 

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.