Washington State School Retirees' Association
4726 Pacific Avenue SE
Lacey, Washington 98503-1216
1-800-544-5219    or    360-413-5496

 

 

IMPORTANT

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR 2009

(Please DESTROY ALL old copies)

January 2, 2009

TO:             Washington state high school principals/counselors/students

FROM:      Gene Forrester, President

            Washington State School Retirees' Association (WSSRA)

RE:             Sixteen Robert J. Handy/PEMCO Memorial Scholarships

                    Nine WSSR-Foundation Scholarships

The Washington State School Retirees' Association (formerly the Washington State Retired Teachers Association) is pleased to invite senior students of your school to apply for the above scholarships.

Each year WSSRA selects outstanding high school seniors who are committed to entering the teaching profession (e.g., classroom teacher, school counselor, school nurse, communication disorder specialist, school physical therapies, school psychologist, reading specialist, librarian, etc.) to receive these scholarships.

The PEMCO Financial Center grants sixteen Robert J. Handy Scholarships in memory of Robert J. Handy who founded the Washington State Teachers Credit Union, which was later expanded to PEMCO. These scholarships will be granted in the amount of $900 per year, renewable for a total of four years if grades, citizenship, self-reliance, etc., are maintained at acceptable levels.

The WSSR-Foundation grants eight scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each, for one year only. Recipients of this scholarship will be selected from the first alternates for the Robert J. Handy Scholarships. Winners of all scholarships will be notified by May 1.  An additional scholarship, the Don and Myrtle Bunt Scholarship will also be awarded to a recipient in SW Washington.

WSSRA conducts the search and review process and selects the recipients of the scholarship awards. Principals, counselors and teachers are urged to encourage outstanding seniors interested in the teaching profession to apply.

 

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NOTE:                   ALL COMPLETED SCHOLARSHIP FORMS MUST BE

                          POSTMARKED BY MARCH 9, 2009 AND RETURNED TO:

 

Students accessing the application online: please contact the WSSRA office at 800-544-5219 or 360-413-5496 (ask for Michelle Guerin) to obtain the name and mailing address of the WSSRA District Representative to return your application to.  Please do not mail your application to the WSSRA office.

 

 

  

To applicants of the

Robert J. Handy and

WSSR-Foundation Scholarships

Selection Criteria

 

  

Excellence of Moral Character
The WSSRA Scholarship Committee will assume good moral character.

Qualities of Leadership
The Scholarship Committee is looking for demonstrated ability and achievement in positions of leadership, not just participation. This can include both elected and non-elected positions, and “unofficial” leadership roles.

 Seriousness of Purpose
We are seeking demonstration of initiative and personal commitment to a goal or goals, as well as the ability to follow through. Look beyond the education for long-range direction.

Qualities of Citizenship
Qualities of citizenship are evidenced by activities which enrich the family or community as well as you, the student. Constructive involvement in activities of a social, political or charitable nature is important.

 Broadness of Outlook—Non-scholastic Activities
Broadness of outlook is indicated by things that make a person interesting. Examples would include participation in drama, art, music, sports, Junior Achievement, church and exchange student programs. Such activities, along with other community involvement, expand the student’s outlook. The emphasis is on involvement and interest, not necessarily on achievement.

 Scholastic Achievement
Scholastic achievement primarily means grades and relative class standing. The courses taken will be considered–their difficulty and level of study. Any improving trend is valuable.  Scores from two or more of the following: CEEB, SAT, ACT, WASL (include the year the WASL was passed) must be included.

 

APPLICATION FORM FOR THE ROBERT J. HANDY and

WSSR-FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

(Limited to high school seniors committed to a career in the educational field)

To be eligible for consideration, all applications:

Must be in approved form and

MUST BE POSTMARKED BY

MARCH 9, 2009

Full name___________________________________Sex: Male -or- Female (check one)

 

Telephone Number (cell or home; include area code)________________________________

 

Parents’ or guardians’ names:
    (Father)________________________________________________________________

    (Mother)_______________________________________________________________

2.   Home and mailing addresses______________________________________________
  _______________________________________________________________________

4.   Name, address, Washington State county and phone number of the school you are now attending (for overseas student applicants, the name of the Department of Defense contact person):

      _____________________________________________________________________

      _____________________________________________________________________

Name of your school’s principal________________________________________________

5.   Planned College or University_______________________________________________

6.   Planned Major in your chosen educational field__________________________________

      _____________________________________________________________________

7.   Cumulative High School GPA through the first semester of your senior year_____________

8.   Number of seniors in your class to graduate_____________________________________

9.   Class rank______________________________________________________________

110.   Test scores:
  WASL (include year WASL was taken) _____/_____ SAT ______ ACT ______ CEEB ______

 

Statement of Originality:  My signature below indicates the statements I make are true and are original with me.

____________________________________________________________________

(Signature)                                                                                                                (Date)

 

For your application to be considered, the following items must be stapled behind pages one and two of this application:

• Statement
• List your: activities, leadership and community work experiences.  Describe no more than three (3) in each category.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation: one from a high school teacher; one from an administrator, and one from the- private sector.  NO letters of recommendation from relatives.  Letters should address the applicant’s potential for success in the field of education.
• High school transcript through semester one of grade twelve plus community college grade sheets andofficial transcripts (if applicable).

 

IMPORTANT: Place all documents in a manila file folder.  The folder should be labeled with the applicant’s full name and school.

 

 Applicants please print:

 

Applicant’s Name_______________________________________________________________

 

Applicant’s school_______________________________________________________________

 

 

Each answer to the categories below is to be typed on separate sheets using body font size of 12 points; where sentences and paragraphing are used, single space paragraphs, double space between paragraphs.

 

STATEMENT Describe why you are applying for this award and how you will use it.  (Use complete sentences and paragraphs—maximum of one page.)

 

ACTIVITIES AND LEADERSHIP  List activities in and out of high school, offices held, and awards won e.g. Student Council, Clubs, National Honor Society, FFA, sports, 4-H.  (Describe no more than three of the above.  Lists and phrases are acceptable; a maximum of two pages.)

 

COMMUNITY a. Describe your accomplishments in improving or promoting the “quality of life” in your community improving or promoting the “quality of life in your community.  (Use complete sentences and paragraphs—maximum of one page.)  b. List and describe your high school occupational work experience, including full- or part-time employment both paid and unpaid.  (Lists and phrases are fine—maximum of two pages.)

 

EDUCATION FIELD a. Explain why you interested in the field of education.  (Use complete sentences and paragraphs—maximum of one page.  b. In your own handwriting describe your chosen educational field (teacher—indicate level, counselor, nurse, etc.)  Limit statement to a paragraph or to a maximum of one page.

 

Failure to address any of the above will result in disqualification of the application

 

 

ALL COMPLETED SCHOLARSHIP FORMS MUST BE

POSTMARKED BY MARCH 9, 2009 AND RETURNED TO:

 

Students accessing the application online: please contact the WSSRA office at 800-544-5219 or 360-413-5496 (ask for Michelle Guerin) to obtain the name and mailing address of the WSSRA District Representative to return your application to.  Please do not mail your application to the WSSRA office.