Shasta Historical Society Scholarship Opportunity
The Shasta Historical Society (SHS) is comprised of members with strong interests in history, especially Shasta County history. The society has a variety of functions, including: to house important historical artifacts and documents; to disseminate historical information to the general public and membership; and to encourage historical awareness. In addition, the SHS believes that it is important to identify and then assist future historical scholars and educators. For many years the SHS has provided college scholarships in an attempt to accomplish this goal.
The following guidelines apply to this opportunity:
2013 Scholarship Guidelines
1. Scholarship Amounts
- Two (2) scholarships will be available, including:
- Shasta Historical Society College Scholarship (First Place)–$1,750
- Shasta Historical Society College Scholarship (Second Place)–$1,250
2. Scholarship Applicant Requirements and Award Criteria
Applicant’s Hosting School
Any senior attending a public High School in Shasta County or any Shasta College student is eligible to apply for the scholarships. Awarding of these scholarships is competitive; consequently, scholarships are not directed at specific school. Therefore it is possible that both scholarships may be award to students from the same school. It is strongly suggested that each applicant develop a student-mentor relationship that will help the student select an appropriate research topic and accomplishing the project.
Scholarship Awarding Weight Factor
A complete application will require submittal of an original Research Project and a Financial Aide Application and to participate in an oral interview. Each will be weighted as shown below:
70%– Original Research Project and Report Regarding Shasta County (or greater Shasta County region).
20%– Display of financial need. A Grotefend Scholarship Financial Aid application will be submitted to the SHS. Forms are available at each school’s financial aid department.
10%– Results of an oral interview.
At the Review Committee’s discretion, and based on Scholarship Awarding Weight Factors, one or both Scholarships may not be awarded any given year if the quality of the Research Project is considered to be inadequate to presented in the Shasta Historical Societies’ Covered Wagon.
Research Project Document Guidelines and Requirements
(Note: Each Scholarship Applicants should follow these Guidelines in order to be rated as high as possible.)
Topic—The research topic is to be selected by the applicant and should be original in concept. It must consider some aspect of history regarding Shasta County or the greater Shasta County region (counties that abut Shasta County).
Independent Research—The Applicant must complete independent research, which may include any or all of the following procedures: reviewing historical documents; conducting interviews; completing analyses of historical data; or other legitimate means. (It is recommended that the applicant use SHS research resources.) A document will then be written that describes the results of the research. It is strongly suggested that the Applicant collaborate with an academic mentor in selecting a topic and completing the research strategy.
- Length—No more than 15 pages, double-spaced, including photos, and references.
- Font and Pitch—The document will be written in Times New Roman font, 12-point size.
- Quotations—If quotations are used, each will be no more than two lines in length. It is important that the research document be written in the Applicant’s words.
- References–Use footnote references and cite the sources at the end of the document.
- Images—Any figures, diagrams, or images must be at 300 dpi or larger TIFF files.
- Submittal—Submit one hard copy and one CD containing the entire file.
Review Committee Guidelines For Research Project/Document
The following guidelines are to be used by the SHS Review Committee during evaluation of each research document. All applicants are encouraged to review these evaluation guidelines:
- Text Requirements—Requirements regarding font; line spacing; use of images, figures, and tables; and reference citations must be followed.
- Rating Criteria—The following weighting and logic should be used during the research document review process:
- 50%–Original Research and Creativity in Obtaining Information: Each document is expected to delve into a topic in a manner not previously seen in written form. It is not expected to be solely a summary of other historical research papers, although a review of past findings may be an important element of the document.
- 30%–Readability: The document must be clear and precise and use correct spelling and grammar. The target audience is assumed to be an average SHS member, meaning for people with an interest and general knowledge about the local history but not experts.
- 20%–Suitability for Publication: Scholarship-winning documents will be published in the Covered Wagon. Reviewers should judge if the paper is suitable for such use (with the possibility of slight editing).
- Educational Level Weighting–It is possible that both Shasta College and high school students will apply for these scholarships. It is also possible that two Applicants may be rated virtually identically but differ in their current level of education. In those cases, the Applicant with lowest year of education attained will be rated higher.
4. Non-Research Rating Factors
Research and document quality has the highest weight (70%) in choosing winning applicants for scholarships. However, financial needs and the results of an oral interview are also important. The following guidelines for these two non-research factors:
- Financial Need—The SHS desires that these scholarships be awarded to students with historical interests. It is also hoped that the scholarship will greatly assist the winner’s ability to further their educational goals. Results of the Grotefend financial analysis will be used to determine if the scholarships will significantly or appreciably assist the Applicant to further their education. Rating will be from consensus of the review committee members.
- Interview—Interviews will be scheduled at a time mutually agreeable for both Applicant and Review Committee. The purpose of the interview is two-fold: to introduce the Applicant to SHS members and to allow reviewers an opportunity to judge the applicant’s maturity and degree of interest in local history. Interview ratings will be by consensus.
5. Applicant Incentives
In appreciation for time and effort put into the original research project all Applicants will receive a one-year’s membership to the SHS. The membership includes monthly newsletters and a copy of the annual Covered Wagon. The society may showcase scholarship winner’s documents in a variety of ways, including:
- Advertise the winning documents (and authors) in newspaper/online articles.
- Publish the documents in the Covered Wagon.
- Invite the winners to give presentations before the SHS’ General Membership.
Internship Opportunities
The SHS may offer scholarship winners intern opportunities at the SHS research facility.
7. Critical Dates For Applicants
- September, 2012—SHS Scholarship Guidelines Provided to Schools
- December 30, 2012—Prospective Applicants must send SHS a Notification of Intent to Apply for a Scholarship. (Failure to do so will be considered in the interview weighing process.) The Notification can be a short letter to the SHS (1449 Market St., Redding, 96001) or e-mail (mgrifantini@att.net).
- March 1 (4:00 p.m.), 2013—All Scholarship Applications and Research Documents Due at the SHS Office, 1449 Market Street.
- March 1-15, 2013—Interviews Conducted at the SHS Office.
- April 1, 2013—Scholarship Winners Announced.
- June, 2013—Scholarship Winners Invited to the SHS General Meeting.
- August, 2013—Scholarship Winners Must Submit Proof of Registration to the SHS For Their College of Choice
- September 1, 2013—Scholarship Funds Will be Sent to the Financial Aide Department of the College Award Winners Will Attend.
