CBC Spouses Essay Competition
Each year the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses sponsor an Essay Competition, presenting students with a topic that embodies some of the most difficult issues facing our communities. Students are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses and opinion. Submissions are judged by a special committee of CBC Spouses. Winners and their families are invited to Washington, DC in September to present their essays and participate in a panel discussion during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF-ALC).
All participants must be in their sophomore or junior year of high school. Essays should be original compositions, with a minimum of 750 and a maximum of 1000 words. All submissions must include a cover sheet with the student's name and signature, the name and signature of a guidance counselor, and the essay title. Winners must be available to read all, or a portion of their essay at the CBC Spouses Essay Contest and Issues Forum on Thursday, September 20, 2012 in Washington, D.C.
Winners will receive airfare and hotel accommodations to and from Washington, D.C., as well as a $1,500 cash prize for first place, $1,000 for second, and $750 for third.
The CBC Spouses organization is a volunteer organization made up of the spouses of the African-American Members of the United States Congress. The spouses dedicate their time and talents to creating educational opportunities to prepare our future leaders.
2012 Essay Topic:
In 2010, First Lady, Michelle Obama, launched Let’s Move, a comprehensive initiative dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Currently 33% of children in the United States are considered overweight or obese.
Question: Everyone in the community has a role to play in reducing childhood obesity. Increasing physical activity is just one of the five pillars in the first Lady's Let's Move initiative. As a high school student, what do you see as the biggest barriers to students maintaining a healthy lifestyle by remaining physically active? What can schools, families and your community do to address these barriers in an effort to decrease childhood obesity?
Deadline: Essays must be postmarked by June 1, 2012. Mail all submissions to Congressional Black Caucus Spouses, Attn: Essay Contest, 1720 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036.
Youth Opportunities
Chicago Botanic Garden - Science First and College First
Science First and College First summer programs at the Chicago Botanic Garden engage Chicago Public School students in science, inspire them to perform better academically and to purse higher education, and encourage them to explore careers in science.
Science First and College First students are bussed daily from various locations throughout the City of Chicago to the Chicago Botanic Garden, located in north suburban Glencoe. Students in the programs explore the Garden’s 24 display gardens and four natural areas – woodlands, wetlands, prairie, and river. Evaluations from these programs show that after participating students’ performance and test scores increase and they display a greater affinity for science, take more challenging classes, maintain a higher science GPA, and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.
Science First is offered during two, four-week sessions. Instructors use a variety of inquiry-based activities and the Garden’s extensive out-door resources to teach science concepts, culminating in group research presented to the public, families, and staff. Each summer Science First serves 40 CPS students who will be entering grades 8 to 10.
College First’s eight-week paid internships include instruction and mentoring from Garden scientists, educators, and horticulturists and concludes with independent research project presentations. At monthly school-year meetings College First students explore college options and prepare for the college application process through campus visits, financial aid workshops and college/career fairs. College First serves 20 CPS students entering grades 11 and 12.
Application deadline for Science First: April 27, 2012
Application deadline for College First: April 13, 2012
Scholarships
Illinois General Assembly Legislative Scholarship
Illinois law provides for each state legislator to annually award a 4-year scholarship to the University of Illinois and a 4-year scholarship to any other state-supported university. These scholarships can be divided into four 1-year scholarships if the legislator wishes to do so.
State Sponsored Schools include: Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, University of Illinois, Western Illinois University.
To apply visit: Students wishing to apply for the General Assembly Scholarship MUST contact their State Senator and State Representative for information on the application process.
Application Deadline: Varies
Military Families United Art Institutes Scholarship Program
In partnership with The Art Institutes, Military Families United began a scholarship program exclusively for spouses of Armed Forces members. Recipients will be awarded a single $25,000 tuition scholarship to study at one of the Art Institutes Schools.
To apply visit: http://militaryspouses.artinstitutes.edu
Application deadline: March 15, 2012
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Each year the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 50 scholarships of $20,000 and 200 scholarships of $10,000 to high school seniors planning to pursue post-secondary degrees. Initial Applications are accepted Aug 1 - Oct 31 of the senior year in high school. For more information and to apply for a scholarship visit: https://www.coca-colascholars.org/
Application deadline: Varies
Ayn Rand Essay Contests
Ayn Rand’s novels are inspiring and intellectually challenging. But they can also be financially rewarding for high school and college students. The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors annual essay contests that offer 680 prizes and over $99,000 in prize money every year.
Individual prizes range up to $10,000 for first place winners. For more information about the novels, and the awards, visit: http://aynrandnovels.org/essay-contests.html
Application deadline: Varies between essay contest
National Association of Black Journalists Scholarships
NABJ awards more than $60,000 in scholarships annually to deserving students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. Scholarships are worth up to $2,500, and are open to any foreign or American born student, currently attending or entering an accredited four-year college/university in the U.S. or those who are candidates for graduate school.
You must be a member of the NABJ in order to apply; High school student membership is $35, and membership for students currently enrolled at an accredited college or university is $40.
For more information, or to apply for these scholarships, visit: https://nabj.site-ym.com/?page=SEEDScholarships
Application Deadline: April 1, 2012
Chicago Scholars Program
The Chicago Scholars Program is designed to assist marginalized high school students overcome the barriers to their collegiate access and success. Going beyond traditional monetary solutions, the Chicago Scholars Program offers five years of best practice programming to get students into college, graduate in four years, and smoothly transition into good-fit careers or graduate study
To apply visit: http://www.chicagoscholars.org/chicago-scholars-program/
Application Deadline: January 31, 2012
Scholarships from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and CBC Spouses
All application materials must be submitted online by the dates listed
CBCF Environmental Studies Scholarship
The Environmental Studies scholarship seeks to provide financial awards to minority and women college students pursuing a degree in environmental science or other related fields of study. Applicants should have a junior class standing in college with a declared major in environmental science or a related field, and understanding and acceptance of ServiceMaster's core values. This scholarship offers $5,000 per semester to two students.
To apply visit: http://cbcfinc.org/cbcf-environmental-studies-scholarship.html
Application deadline: March 15, 2012
The CBC Spouses Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship
Established in the year 2000, the CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship program was developed in honor of the late Curtis Mayfield to ensure that students pursuing a career in the performing arts receive the financial assistance to achieve their goals.
To apply visit: http://cbcfinc.org/cbcs-pa
Application deadline: May 3, 2012
The CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
The CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship was established in 2006 for students who are pursuing a career in the visual arts.
To apply visit: http://cbcfinc.org/cbcs-va
Application deadline: May 3, 2012
The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was established in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships. This is the foundation's first educational program. The CBC Spouses Educational Scholarship is a national program that awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated students who intend to pursue full-time undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees. The Educational Scholarship Fund was established in 1988 and has experienced substantial growth. The fund is operated through the district offices of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). CBC Members work through local scholarship committees to award money to academically talented and highly motivated students.
To apply visit: http://cbcfinc.org/cbcs-education
Application deadline: May 31, 2012
The CBC Spouses Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarship
This scholarship program focusing on health was established in 1998 as the CBC Spouses partnered with the naming sponsor, General Mills, to increase the number of minority students pursuing degrees in the fields of medicine, engineering, technology, nutrition and other health-related professions. Since the inception of the program, General Mills has invested more than $1,000,000 to underwrite this initiative. The CBC Spouses Cheerios Brand Health Initiative Scholarship has served hundreds of students over the years, and has helped to create leaders in the medical and health related fields.
To apply visit: http://cbcfinc.org/cbcs-cheerios
Application deadline: May 31, 2012
For Questions about Scholarships Please Contact:
Courtney Cochran
Office of Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
(202) 225-0773
