Application

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Who Can Apply and $ Awarded?

All Hampshire or Hampden County public high school seniors who have been active in social justice efforts and plan to attend college or postsecondary school.  Six $1,500 scholarships will be awarded, thanks to a match from an anonymous donor.

How Are Scholarship Recipients Recognized?

Recipients will be invited to meet some members of our committee in May; recipients will be introduced and scholarships awarded at our annual celebration on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day (this year on Zoom). 

How to Apply (see essay instructions below)

• Apply online.
• Download a PDF of the print application.
• Email your application to carolvrinehart@gmail.com
• Pick up a print application from your high school guidance office.
• Printed applications may be mailed to:  Sojourner Truth Memorial Committee, P.O. Box 60405. Florence, MA 01062

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 7, 2021

Application Essay

Applicants must submit an essay (800-1200 words, typed and double-spaced) describing their experiences working for social justice in their schools or communities (see guidelines below).

Essays will be evaluated on the basis of:

• Leadership and initiative with activities or projects (55%)
• Relevance drawn between Sojourner Truth and your goals (30%)
• Attention to writing and grammar (15%)

Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria

• Describe your social justice project(s). Essays will be evaluated on the basis of leadership and initiative with activities or projects (55%). Give some examples of how it addresses the broad goals of social justice (such as reducing economic inequality, improving human rights, promoting diversity, or working to end violence, racism and discrimination).   Feel free to enhance your essay with documentation by attaching brief digital (not to exceed 2 minutes), graphic, or other art form material (optional).  Accepted file types via App (optional): .jpeg/.jpg/.pdf/.mp4/.mp3 (320 kbps for best quality) Convert via cloudconvert.com or other online conversation sites if the file submitted is not the file types listed above. 
• Explain how your work relates to the life and works of Sojourner Truth. Include specific references about Sojourner’s work. Essays will be evaluated on the basis of relevance drawn between Sojourner Truth and your goals (30%)
• Tell us about your plans to continue your social justice work after high school and your plans to attend college or postsecondary school. Briefly share any other biographical information that pertains to your work for social justice.
• Remember that applications MUST be double-spaced and that attention to writing and grammar is part of our evaluation criteria. (15%)

Questions may be directed to: Carol Rinehart at carolvrinehart@gmail.com.