The 2010 Most Valuable Student (MVS) Scholarship program has been completed. Staunton Elk Lodge #351 had the following students recognized as part of the competition. As required by the MVS scholarship program all local applicants were judged according a prescribed list of criteria. Once the local judging was complete, the top three male and the top three female applicants are sent on for district and state competition. Unfortunately, Lodge #351 only had two male applicants so both applications were sent on for consideration. I am pleased to report that of the five applications submitted three were awarded scholarships at the next level. Katie Jo Reeves and Andrew Tucker were selected as state a finalist who provides each of them with a $1,000 scholarship each of their four years. Michael Bugas, our second male applicant was selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship. All three of our state winners will be recognized at the state convention in June. The two students not recognized at the state level were then returned for local lodge scholarship consideration.

The remaining local MVS applicants were awarded $500.00 scholarship by our Lodge #351. Each applicant was awarded a $500.00 check to be applied toward school expenses. Where possible, the award was made at the individual student's school award program in front of parents and other award winning students. The three state winning applicants were awarded a total of $9,000 (over four years) and our local chapter awarded another $5000 to the other deserving students. The total support for 2010 MVS scholarship program is $14,000.

A special thanks is given to the three judges; Judy Sorrell, Mike Lilly and Jackie Hartley. They reviewed and judged each student's application and collectively determined which students moved on to state competition. They did an outstanding job in very quick turnaround timeframe.

Gary D. McQuain
Scholarship Chair

The following students were Scholarship award winners from Staunton Elks Lodge #351:

Katie Jo Reeves (Buffalo Gap High School) State Finalists - $1,000 award for four years	Andrew Tucker (Fort Defiance High School) State Finalists - $1,000 award for four years
Michael Bugas (Fort Defiance High School) State winner - $1,000 one year award	Briana Hersch (Robert E. Lee High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00
Morgan Alexander (Fort Defiance High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00	Kristen Moody (Riverheads High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00
Katrina Cook (Robert E. Lee High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00	Sarah Carter (Fort Defiance High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00
Molly Law (Grace Christian School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00	Emily Holroyd (Robert E. Lee High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00
Megan McAllister (Buffalo Gap High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00	Paige Harris (Fort Defiance High School) #351 Lodge Winner - $500.00

Autumn Berry (Riverheads High School)
#351 Lodge winner - $500.00

1. When filling out a scholarship application, your goal should be to present yourself in the best way possible. You need to: be accurate, be descriptive, impress your audience, and be neat and organized in your written presentations. The following tips will assist you in accomplishing your goal:

2. Read the directions completely and carefully, before you begin filling out the forms. To ensure your eligibility, it is important that you carefully read the criteria of each scholarship for which you would like to apply. Students who submit their applications late or without all of the required information will seriously jeopardize their chances of receiving an award.

3. Type or neatly print in black ink all information. Do not use pencil or blue ink.

4. Give yourself ample time to do your best work. Your best effort takes time. The better you present yourself, the better your chances are of receiving a scholarship. Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and manner of expression. Organize your information in a readable format. Take every measure to make your application neat and organized, as copies of your application will be given to several scholarship committees in the process of selecting their scholarship recipients.

5. When requesting a letter of recommendation, give the person writing the recommendation/reference at least two weeks to complete your letter. Make sure the person who is writing your recommendation has a copy of your résumé to refer to when writing your letter.

6. Be sure you have included the required essay in addition to the basic application. (The essay should be no more than the equivalent of 2 pages, typed and double-spaced.)

7. After completing your application, clip it together in the following order:

a. Application form or Page 2 followed by a résumé covering activities included on Page 3

b. Financial statement. Optional, but necessary if application is considered on need basis- Page 4

c. Two letters of recommendation.

d. Essay

e. Transcript (Ask your Counselor to attach this when application is turned in.)

All of the Elks in Lodge #351 wish you good luck and success with your scholarship applications, your college plans and all your future endeavors.

Elks National Foundation Scholarships:

Most Valuable Student Scholarship Contest -500 scholarships ranging from $ 4,000 to $60,000

The Elks National Foundation awards $3.24 million in college scholarships to a total of 500 high school seniors nationwide through its Most Valuable Student scholarship contest.

Eligibility: High School Senior and U.S. citizen.

Judging Criteria: Scholarship, leadership and financial need.

500 four-year awards:

Two $60,000 scholarships ($15,000 per year)
Two $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 per year)
Two $20,000 scholarships ($5,000 per year)
494 $4,000 scholarships ($1,000 per year)

Applications and Deadlines:

Available after November 1 at www.elks.org, local Elks lodges and local high school, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Elks National Foundation. SASE application requests will be fulfilled through December 31.

Filing Deadline: Mid-January. Submit application to local Elks Lodge.

Legacy Awards for Children of Elks - Up to 500 one-year, $1,000 scholarships

The Elks National Foundation awards up to 500 one year, $1,000 scholarships through its Legacy Awards for Children of Elks scholarship competition.

Eligibility: Child or stepchild of an Elk in good standing and a High School Senior.

Judging Criteria: SAT or ACT scores, High School transcript, Legacy Award Application Form and Biographical Questionnaire.

Awards: Up to 500 one-year, $1,000 scholarships.

Applications and Deadlines:

Available after August 1 at www.elks.org, local Elks lodges and local high schools, or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Elks National Foundation.

Filing Deadline: December 1. Submit application to local Elks Lodge.

Emergency Educational Grants - Renewable one-year grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000

Educational assistance is available to children of Elks who are deceased or totally incapacitated.

Eligibility: Child of an Elk who is deceased or totally incapacitated, financial need, unmarried, under the age of 23, full-time undergraduate student.

Awards: Renewable one-year grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

Applications and Deadlines: Contact the Elks National Foundation scholarship department at 773.755.4732 for an application.

Filing Deadline: Between July 1 and December 31 of the academic year for which assistance is desired.

For More Information on Elks National Foundation Scholarships click here.

Scholar Resource Center- Search these free online databases to find other scholarships available for students.