Following are application dates for student contests, scholarships, and internships. Asterisks (*) denote new entries.
*Open CARING AWARD
The Caring Institute seeks nominations of students 18 years old and younger who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, caring, and selflessness. Five winners receive a $2,000 college scholarship, an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a place in the Hall of Fame for Caring Americans. For more information, contact: Caring Institute, 320 A St. N.E., Washington, DC 20002; (202) 547-4273; e-mail inquiry@caringinstitute.org.
*March 15 HANDWRITING
Peterson Directed Handwriting is sponsoring the National Cursive Handwriting Contest for students in grades 3-8. Entries are judged on such characteristics as letter formation, forward slant, size, and spacing. One winner from each grade receives a $50 U.S. savings bond and a framed certificate. All entries judged “excellent” are elected to the National Cursive Handwriting Honor Society and are awarded a certificate of recognition. Writing samples should contain at least four lines of writing. Grade 3 entries may be done in pencil; entries from grades 4-8 must be written in ink. Contact: Peterson Handwriting, P.O. Box 249, Greensburg, PA 15601-0249; (724) 837-4900; e-mail mr pencil@peterson-handwriting.com; www.peterson-handwriting.com.
*March 30 WEATHER
The Weather Channel and Carrier, a manufacturer of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and equipment, announce a national scholarship competition. Teams of two to five students in grades 6-9 submit a proposal for a study of energy efficiency and indoor air quality in homes, schools, or other buildings. Five $5,000 savings bonds are awarded. Entries must be postmarked by March 16. For more information, contact: Weather Classroom Indoor Weather Challenge, P.O. Box 9, Powder Springs, GA 30127.
*April INTERNET YEARBOOK
Messages to the Future, a privately funded, not-for-profit organization, invites high school seniors to participate in a time-capsule project. Members of the class of 2000 may submit snapshots, home videos, letters, and essays depicting their last year in high school. After graduation, the material will be posted on a “Messages to the Future” Web site for each school; sites will be linked to create a national interactive yearbook. For more information, go to
www.messagestothefuture.org.
April SCIENCE FAIR
Discovery Communications Inc., in partnership with Science Service, encourages students in grades 5-8 to participate in the second annual Discovery Young Scientist Challenge. Students who enter a local or regional International Science and Engineering Fair are eligible; judges at these fairs nominate individuals for the contest. Forty finalists win a trip to Washington, D.C., for the competition, held at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History. Scholarship money and prizes totaling $40,000 are awarded. One top winner receives a $10,000 scholarship; second- and third-place winners receive $5,000 and $3,000, respectively. For more information, contact: Discovery Communications Inc., 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814; www.discoveryschool.com/dysc.
*April 1 ESSAY CONTEST
The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors an essay contest for high school freshmen and sophomores on Ayn Rand’s novella Anthem. Essays must run between 600 and 1,200 words and focus on one of three topics chosen by the institute. The top essayist receives a $1,000 award. Ten second-prize winners receive $200 each, and 20 third- prize winners receive $100 each. For more information, contact: Anthem Essay Contest, Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 6099, Inglewood, CA 90312; e-mail essay@aynrand.org ; www.aynrand .org/contests.
*April 1 MINORITY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Presbyterian Church (USA) offers Student Opportunity Scholarships to Asian, African American, Hispanic, and Native American students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, members of the Presbyterian Church, and college-bound high school seniors. Awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis to students with demonstrated financial need. The number of awards depends on the number of applications; the value of the award ranges from $100 to $1,400 per academic year, depending on the student’s need and available funds. For more information, contact: Maria Alvarez, Presbyterian Church (USA), Financial Aid for Studies, 100 Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396; (502) 569-5760; e-mail MariaA@ctr.pcusa.org; www.pcusa.org/highered.
*April 1 SERVICE AWARD
The Hitachi Foundation, a nonprofit philanthropic organization, seeks nominations for the 2000 Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. The award recognizes high school seniors who have distinguished records of community leadership and service. As many as 11 winners receive $5,000 each, disbursed over two years, and participate in an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Roughly five finalists each receive $1,000. For more information, contact: Yoshiyama Award, P.O. Box 19247, Washington, DC 20036-9247; (202) 457-0588.
*April 15 AYN RAND CONTEST
The Ayn Rand Institute invites high school juniors and seniors to enter an essay contest on Ayn Rand’s novel The Fountainhead. The 800- to 1,600-word essay must focus on one of three topics specified by the institute. One first-prize winner receives a $10,000 award. Five second-prize winners receive $2,000 each, and 10 third-prize winners receive $1,000 each. For more information, contact: Fountainhead Essay Contest, Ayn Rand Institute, P.O. Box 6004, Inglewood, CA 90312; www.aynrand .org/contests.
*April 15 ESSAY CONTEST
Signet Classic, publisher of literary works, invites high school juniors and seniors to participate in the Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest. Students write an essay on one of four topics pertaining to The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The essay must be submitted with a cover letter from a high school English teacher. Five winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship and a Signet Classic Library for their schools. Contact: Penguin Putnam Inc., Academic Marketing Dept., Signet Scholarship Essay Contest, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014; www.penguinputnam.com/academic.
—Jennifer Pricola
