AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Connectional Handy Simmons Scholarship Commission Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Commission Chair
Dr. Shirley Cason Reed, International President
Women’s Missionary Society
Ms. Lesa C. Halfacre, Second Vice President Mission Education and Interpretation Chair
Carol Ann Thomas, Connectional Commissioner
JANUARY 2017
TO: Episcopal Supervisors, Episcopal District Presidents Episcopal District Commissioners
FROM: Dr. Shirley Cason Reed Ms. Lesa C. Halfacre Carol Ann Thomas
DATE: January 20, 2017
SUBJECT: 2017 Handy Simmons Scholarship Applications
Our International President, Dr. Shirley Cason Reed and the Handy Simmons Scholarship Commission are pleased to offer the Handy Simmons Scholarship/Book Awards for 2017. It is our deep desire to assist our deserving youth with assistance in what we hope may change the trajectory of their lives.
Enclosed are instructions, a copy of the 2017 application and submission guidelines. The due dates for submitting the applications to the respective levels are also included.
Please direct questions to Carol Ann Thomas at . Reference SCHOLARSHIP in the subject line.
Enclosures
2017 HANDY SIMMONS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Eligibility:
1. Active members of the AME Church and the Young Peoples Department
2. Current Freshmen, Sophomores or Juniors who are presently pursuing a bachelor’s degree
3. Current first year college students pursuing an associate or technical degree
Criteria for Selection:
1. Academic performance
2. Quality and level of church participation
3. Leadership and extracurricular activities
4. Reference letters
5. Financial need
Application Requirements:
1. Completed application (typed or scanned into computer)
2. Two official letters recommendation by:
a) Local Church Pastor
b) Local YPD Director (or) Local Missionary President
3. COPY OF SEALED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT (2.5 GPA required)
4. A competitive essay written in accordance with current connectional theme provided
Applicants must submit all requested documents to the Conference Handy Simmons Scholarship Commissioner or Conference Branch President. Applications must be accurate and completed according to the directions in order to be considered. Essay must be typewritten, error free and written according to the current theme. No application will be considered if it is: 1) incomplete 2) missing references or signatures 3) containing incorrect essay theme 4) missing current college transcript and/or 5) submitted after the deadline.
1
2017 HANDY SIMMONS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Name: M F
Address: Zip _
Telephone Date of Birth Age
PARENTS NAME & OCCUPATION
Mother
Father
Guardian
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Name of Church
Address
Pastor
Conference Name Episcopal District
List church activities you are involved with on the local, conference, district and/or connectional level. Provide a brief description of each activity including the length of your involvement.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
Please provide the name and address of the College or University where you are currently enrolled. Name of College
Address
Full Time Part Time Current Year In Studies Graduation Date
Major Minor Undeclared
2
ACADEMIC HONORS
Dean’s List Yes Year
What other sources of financial aid (loans, scholarships, and grants) are you currently receiving or have applied for?
Be certain that you have completed the entire application and attached all requested documents. Submit documents to your Conference Branch Handy Simmons Commissioner or WMS Conference President, if there is no Commissioner.
REQUIRED SIGNATURES:
Applicant Date
Local YPD Director /Local Missionary President Date
Conference Handy Simmons Scholarship Commissioner Date
Episcopal District Handy Simmons Commissioner Date
Episcopal Supervisor Date
HANDY SIMMONS SCHOLARSHIP
Essay Theme and Evaluation Criteria
2017 ESSAY THEME
Write a 500-1000 word essay about the difference between the popular vote and the Electoral College vote as it relates to the election of the President of the United States. Include within this essay your assessment of why it is important to vote. In order to be a well-informed citizen it is important for college students, who are either at or near the required voting age, to understand this process. Make sure your essay is clear and specific. The use of multiple resources is encouraged, including books, articles and the internet. It is important to provide a reference for each resource. Use of the citation format you are familiar with, such as APA style, is permitted.
Essays will be evaluated by the following criteria:
CONTENT:
1. The typed essay is a minimum of 500 words not to exceed 1000 words
2. The topic is clearly addressed
3. Ideas are developed and support the topic
4. Writing demonstrates a sense of completeness
GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE:
1. Free of run-on sentences and sentence fragments
2. Correct subject/verb agreement and verb tense
3. Correct use of singular and plural noun forms
4. Correct/appropriate use of punctuation
5. Appropriate/correct word choice
6. Free of spelling error
ORGANIZATION
1. Ideas flow and fit together
2. Details are sequential in logical order
3. Writing has a clear beginning, middle and end
4. Ideas are presented in varied and innovative use of words, phrases, and sentences
APPLICATION DUE DATES AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Applications are due to Conference Branch Commissioners or Conference YPD Directors by April 30, 2017. Conference Commissioners will ensure the application packets are complete and will submit them to the Episcopal Commissioner by May 15, 2017. If an application is incomplete it must be returned to the student for completion. Do not forward incomplete applications.
2. The Episcopal Commissioners will evaluate and rank the applicants and rank the applicants on the appropriate form. Upon completion, the Episcopal Commissioners will submit completed applications to the Episcopal Supervisor for signature and mail them to the Connectional Commissioner by May 31, 2017.
3. The Connectional Commissioner will review the applications and make recommendations to the Connectional President to award the Handy Simmons Scholarships by June 30, 2017.
Handy Simmons Scholarship Seventh Episcopal District Conference Branch Commissioners
1) South Carolina Conference Commissioner 4) Piedmont Conference
Mrs. Blanche F. Fowler Mrs. Ava S. Long
416 Parkwood Drive 373 Rhapsody Lane
Summerville, SC 29483 Boiling Springs, SC 29316
(843) 871-6448 (864) 494-6537
2) Central Conference 5) Palmetto Conference
Ms. Josephine Mitchell Mrs. Carlethia Rudolph
201 Candlelight Drive 94 Ford Road
West Columbia, SC 29170 Pawley’s Island, SC 29585
(843) 237-8118
3) Northeast Conference 6) Columbia Conference
Dr. Sarah Lee Ms. Patricia Colclough
601 McCall Ave. 261 Cromer Drive
Bennettsville, SC 29512 Sumter, SC 29150
(843) 454-2530 (803) 795-3933 or (803) 469-7623
Conference Commissioners please send your completed application packets to the Episcopal Commissioner by May 15, 2017:
Tammy McCottry-Brown, Handy Simmons Scholarship Episcopal Commissioner
(843) 460-0400