Essay Scholarship Winner Can Receive $8,250
Annual Contest Is Open to All Seniors in Delaware Public, Private, Charter and Home Schools
Dover, Del.–October 3, 2005 High school seniors in Delaware are encouraged to apply for the Legislative Essay Scholarship.The deadline to submit an essay on this year’s topic, “Benjamin Franklin: A Significant Leader in Founding Our Country,” is December 1, 2005.The essay topic this year is of special interest, because January 17, 2006,marks Franklin’s 300th birthday—the first founding father to reach this milestone.
Up to 62 scholarships of $750 will be awarded for each senatorial and representative district in the state.District winners compete for three statewide awards of $7,500, $3,750, and $2,250.
“We are in the seventh year of this exciting scholarship program.” says Maureen Laffey, Director of the Higher Education Commission,which administers the scholarship program. “The Legislative Essay Scholarship program not only broadens the student’s knowledgeof American history, it is also a great opportunity to earn money for college.”
The contest was established under legislation jointly sponsored by House Majority Leader Rep. Wayne A. Smith (R–Brandywine Hundred-North) and Senator David P. Sokola (D–Newark).
“Ben Franklin was a founder, an inventor, a diplomat, a printer, a civic leader, a wit,a rascal and one of the most significant and fascinating Americans to grace the pages of our history,” says Smith.“Students plumbing the contributions of Franklin to our nation will learn about this most important of Revolutionariesand his many contributions to the success of our War for Independence and the establishment of our country.”
A new topic is selected each year and focuses on events or people in American history from approximately 1770 to 1860.Previous contest topics have been George Washington, Frederick Douglass, James Madison, Abigail Adams, the Lewis and Clark Expedition,and Alexander Hamilton. To apply, students must meet the contest rules and submit an original essay of between 500 to 2,000 wordswith their application to the Higher Education Commission by December 1.
Contest rules and applications are available from high school guidance counselors; upon request by contacting the Higher Education Commission at302-577-5240, 800-292-7935 (toll-free outside New Castle County), or dhec@doe.k12.de.us; or online at www.doe.k12.de.us/high-ed/essay.htm.
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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