A symbol (*) marks deadlines that have not appeared in a previous issue of Education Week.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
June 15--Rural education: Proposals are due for presentations at the 1999 National Rural Education Association’s annual convention, sponsored by the NREA and Junior Achievement. The theme of the convention is “Youth/Adult Partnerships in Rural America,” and proposals may be made on several topics within rural education. Contact: Joseph Newlin, NREA, 246 Educational Building, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523; (970) 491-7022; e-mail: jnewlin@lamar.colostate.edu; Web site: www.colostate.edu/Orgs/NREA.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
April 1--Playwriting: Applications are due for the Young Playwrights Urban Retreat in New York City, sponsored by Young Playwrights Inc. Writers between the ages of 16 and 21 should send a two- to three-page creative-writing sample and include their names, telephone numbers, dates of birth, schools, and grade levels, along with a $50 deposit. The retreat costs $1,100, including all meals, theater tickets, and housing. Financial aid is available. Contact: YPI, Urban Retreat, 321 W. 44th St., Suite 906, New York, NY 10036; (212) 307-1140; Web site: www.youngplaywrights.org.
April 15--Leadership training: Nominations are due for National Leadership Camp scholarships, sponsored by the Trust to Reach Education Excellence, a foundation established by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Principals or teachers must submit an application to nominate one economically disadvantaged student from their schools who they say would benefit from leadership training. Two letters of recommendation and a half-page essay written by the student should accompany the application. The scholarships cover the cost of registration and round-trip travel to one of eight camps across the country. Contact: NASSP, 1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191; Web site: www.nassp.org/tree.
June 15--Drug-abuse prevention: Submissions are due for the “Say No to Drugs” essay contest, sponsored by the Piano Princess, a musical group that performs a show called “Get High on Music Not Drugs.” Students ages 8 to 17 are asked to write a 500-word essay about why they chose to stay drug- and alcohol-free. The first-place winner will receive $500, the second-place winner will get $300, and the third-place winner will receive $200. Contact: PP, 88 Petersburg Road, Petersburg, NJ 08270; Web site: www.pianoprincess.com.
*Gifted children: Applications are being accepted for the Distinguished Student Awards, sponsored by the National Association of Gifted Children and the Nicholas Green Foundation; deadlines vary by state between April and June. Awards will be given to one student in each state to recognize achievement in academics, creative arts, or leadership. Students in the 3rd to 6th grades are eligible. Awardees will receive a certificate and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Contact: NAGC, 1707 L St. N.W., Suite 550, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-4268; Web site: www.nagc.org.
TEACHER FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
May 21--Classroom software: Submissions are due for the 1999 Knowledge Adventure Success in Schools contest, sponsored by Knowledge Adventure, a multimedia educational software developer. K-12 educators and parents who home-school their children should submit an entry form along with a 200-word essay describing how the company’s software has positively affected student learning. Five winners will each receive software worth approximately $500. Contact: KA, Customer Service, 19840 Pioneer Ave., Torrance, CA 90503; (800) 545-7677; Web site: www.educast.com.
OTHER DEADLINES
April 1--Human rights: Nominations are due for the Pearl S. Buck Award, sponsored by Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. The award, which honors the college’s most famous alumna, recognizes women whose lives and achievements reflect the late author’s commitment to human dignity and understanding. Nominees for the award should exhibit a strong commitment to cross-cultural understanding, human rights, children, or the artistic portrayal of a culture. The award has a $10,000 honorarium. Contact: RMWC, Pearl S. Buck Committee, Office of the President, 2500 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA 24503-1526.
April 30--College preparation: Applications are due for Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness for Undergraduate Programs--GEAR UP, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The program is designed to give low-income students the skills, motivation, and preparation needed to pursue a postsecondary education. Applicants must be from a state agency or from a partnership, which should include at least one instituion of higher education, a local educational agency, and two additional public or private organizations. Contact: Karen Johnson, USDE; (202) 260-3209; fax: (202) 260-4269; e-mail: karen_johnson@ed.gov; Web site: www.ed.gov/gearup.
