Richland School District Two Education Foundation

Debra W. Hamm Scholarship

The Richland Two Education Foundation Debra W. Hamm Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of former Richland School District Two Superintendent Dr. Debra Hamm. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to qualifying students to pursue their dreams of earning a college or associate’s degree. The $3,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student in the district. Applications will be accepted through April 17, 2018. Deadline extensions will not be granted, and incomplete applications will not be considered or reviewed.

Application Requirements

In addition tosubmitting the application andacademic, leadership and service information, applicants are required to complete the following:

Essay
As a requirement for the Debra W. Hamm Scholarship , applicants must complete a

500word essay addressing the statement below.

When Dr. Hamm became Superintendent of Richland School District Two she established the district’s core values of Learning, Community, Character and Joy. Dr. Hamm’s leadership style embodies these values in every aspect of her life. In your essay, describe how your leadership style exemplifies these four core values and how you have influenced others to make a positive difference in your school and community as well as in your family and job (if applicable). Also, include how your actions will continue to make a difference after you graduate from high school.

Nomination/Recommendation/Academic Verification
To demonstrate your leadership skills encompassing Learning, Community, Character and Joy for the Debra W. Hamm Scholarship you must secure 1) a nomination, 2) a recommendation and 3) an academic verification according to the guidelines below. Applications that do not include these components will be ineligible for consideration.

Nomination
Applicants must secure one nomination from a demonstrated community leader with significant authority and responsibility. Suggested nominators include elected officials, high school administrators or executive directors/presidents of nonprofit organizations. Nominators will be asked to address, on the attached form, the applicant’s overall leadership as it relates to Learning, Community, Character and Joy. Nominators may nominate only one applicant per application year.
Recommendation
Applicants must secure one recommendation from an authority figure with personal knowledge of their leadership and service. Recommenders will be asked to address the applicant’s leadership as it relates to Learning, Community, Character and Joy in the context of his or her extracurricular activities, volunteer service, sports participation, work experience, and/or family involvement. Suggested recommenders include student activity advisors, community service coordinators, coaches, employers, teachers, counselors or religious leaders. Please see the attached form.
Academic Verification
The applicant’s academic records must be verified by a school counselor.

APPLICATION CRITERIA

The scholarship is open to high school seniors who will be attending technical colleges, two-year and/or four-year colleges.

All applicants must complete an application form.

Applicants will be judged on scholastic achievement, overall leadership,service,integrity and community involvement.

Applications must be accompanied by a 500-word essay written by the applicant.

The applicant must have achieved at least a 2.5 grade point average based on a 4-point scale.

The applicant must be nominated and have one recommendation.

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review the applications and attachments and make the award selection based on the above criteria. All awards will be made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender or disability. No members of the committee, nor family members of the committee, will be eligible to receive benefits from this fund.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applicants must complete the Debra W. Hamm Scholarship application form and submit it along with the required attachments to:

Richland School District Two Education Foundation

Scholarship Committee

c/o Strategic Partnerships

124 Risdon Way

Columbia, SC 29223

All applications must be POSTMARKED BY April 17, 2018.

If you have any questions, please Martha Jones at .

Debra W. Hamm Scholarship Application

I.Student Background Information

Name of Applicant

FirstMiddleLast

Home Address Telephone

StreetCityZip

Email Address Date of Birth Female Male

II.High School Information (to be provided by school counselor or advisor)

Name of School:

Address:

School Counselor or Advisor: Phone #:

Cumulative GPA: on a point scaleClass Rank: out of

______(signature of School Counselor or Advisor)

When do you anticipate graduating? Month: Year:

To what colleges/schools have you applied?______

III.Extracurricular Activities

List activities, clubs, organizations, sports, or hobbies in which you have participated and/or held an officer’s position: Please use another sheet if necessary.

Activity #1: Dates Involved:

Activity #2: Dates Involved:

Activity #3: Dates Involved:

Please use this space to record additional information you feel would be of interest to the scholarship committee.

Debra W. HammScholarshipApplication

RECOMMENDATION FORM

Name of Student:

How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?

Please describe the applicant and indicate why you feel he or she should be considered for a scholarship award. Please use another sheet if necessary.

Please rate the applicant on the traits below.

Excellent / Good / Average / Below
Average / No Basis
for Rating
Character/Reputation
Leadership
Service
Interpersonal Relationships
Maturity/Self Esteem
Intellectual Ability
Oral/Written Expression
Dependability
Cooperation

Name of Reference: Phone #:

Signature: Date:

PLEASE COMPLETE THISRECOMMENDATION FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE STUDENT IN A SEALED ENVELOPE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE ON THE BACK SEAL.

Debra W. Hamm Scholarship

Nomination Form

Applicants must secure one nomination from a demonstrated community leader with significant authority and responsibility. Nominators are asked to address the applicant’s overall leadership skills in the areas of Learning, Community, Character and Joy. Nominators may nominate only one applicant per application school year.

Name______Date______

(signature)

Phone Number______

Debra W. Hamm Scholarship Application

ESSAY

(Please type. Essay should be 500 words and be signed and dated by applicant.)

Signature of ApplicantDate