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

Scholarship award

information and regulations

for
The Robert J. Handy
Memorial Scholarship

and
The Washington State
School Retirees' Foundation
Scholarship

(Revised 11/07)

IMPORTANT
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR 2008
(Please DESTROY ALL old copies)

Click Here for a PDF file of the Scholarship Application form

January 2, 2008

TO:             Washington state high school principals/counselors/students

FROM:      John Lothspeich, President
                   Washington State School Retirees' Association (WSSRA)

RE:             Sixteen Robert J. Handy/PEMCO Memorial Scholarships
                    Eight 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 $600 per year, renewable for a total of five 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.

PLEASE KEEP THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION FORM ON FILE.
IF THERE IS MORE THEN ONE COUNSELOR FOR YOUR SCHOOL PLEASE MAKE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS APPLICATION FOR THEIR USE.  ALSO MAKE COPIES TO GIVE TO INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS.  STUDENTS MAY ALSO ACCESS THIS APPLICATION AT www.wssra.org.

NOTE:                   ALL COMPLETED SCHOLARSHIP FORMS MUST BE
                          POSTMARKED BY MARCH 7, 2008 AND RETURNED TO:

To applicants for the
Robert J. Handy and
WSSR-Foundation Scholarships
Selection Criteria

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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. 

6. 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 are important to 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 7, 2008

1.   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______________________________________________
10.   Test scores______________________________________________
                                                      (SAT, ACT, WASL [include year taken] or others; indicate which test with score)

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 Service.  Describe no more than three (3).
 Three (3) letters of recommendation: one from a teacher; one from a principal (or vice principal, assistant
      principal or counselor); one from a non-school individual.  NO letters of recommendation from relatives. 
      Letters should address the applicant’s potential for success in the field of education.

Applicant 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 including activities you initiated and carried to conclusion, offices held, and awards won e.g. Student Council, Language Club, National Honor Society, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, sports, 4-H, Scouts, Youth Group, Rodeo.  (Describe no more than three of the above.  Lists and phrases are acceptable; a maximum of two pages.)

COMMUNITY SERVICE  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.)

OTHER  (work experience, etc.)  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.)

Explain what being a professional in the field of education means to you.  (Use complete sentences and paragraphs—maximum of one page.)

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 7, 2008 AND RETURNED TO: