II. EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Little Rock Nine® Foundation Scholarship Program
According to many surveys, scholarship programs work best in conjunction with a meaningful and comprehensive mentorship program. The Little Rock Nine® Foundation provides both, through the Little Rock Nine® Foundation Scholarship and Mentoring Program.

Scholarship recipients are chosen through an essay contest.  Each student who is granted an award, must show leadership ability, be highly motivated, and exhibit an overwhelming desire to make a difference in the larger community.  One of the principles of the Foundation is that the students will mentor other students, thereby, continuing the cycle of giving back to the community.

Nine students were recipients of the first 2007 Little Rock Nine® Foundation Scholarship and Mentoring Awards.  Each received a $10,000 grant, over two years, and was assigned a Little Rock Nine member as a mentor.
 


Click here to Print out the

Scholarship Application

The deadline for receipt of all materials is January 31.

 

Mentoring Program

The Mentoring Program is designed to make a difference far beyond the students that will receive the scholarships. The Foundation will help them achieve their goal of receiving a quality education, while at the same time, preparing them to become productive future citizens and leaders. The students will be required to mentor younger students, hence, becoming role models themselves. The program will give hope and opportunity to a community where some of its citizens may not see the path to success through education.
The Mentorship Program will begin at the time the students enter college, and will end after their 2nd year.

Leadership Training Program
Each scholarship recipient must commit to attending an annual Leadership Training Conference.  The first two-day Leadership Training Conference was held June 20-21, 2008, at the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service and Central High School, in Little Rock. Dr. Adam Green, Associate Professor of History at the University of Chicago, facilitated the Leadership Workshop, which explored the meaning, constituent values, and relevance of leadership practices.  The workshop was attended by the Little Rock Nine and the scholarship recipients, who greatly enjoyed the opportunity to engage one another intensively, and learn from their diverse perspectives.

Some of the highlights of the Workshop were:  1) Leadership should be thought of as a practice, habit, and disposition which one cultivates and hones; 2) Leadership is based on an acute understanding of environmental conditions, usable models and of the problem at hand; 3) Leadership should not be seen as the opposite of failure; 4) Meaningful leadership is strongly related to an ethos of service; and 5) Leadership frequently involves working against consensus and customs.

“Thus far, I’ve been on the fencing team, and elected to the College Council and the Minority Coalition Boards.  I’ve been involved with the Black Student Union, and served as an admissions ambassador who hosts prospective minority seniors in high school, who are considering attending Williams.  I was also involved with JV volleyball, and muscle-fitness/weight lifting.  During my sophomore year, I plan on continuing on both boards, and possibly starting a mock trial team.  My grades ranged from B- to A-, however, my goal for the next school year is to maintain a minimum 3.7 GPA.”

“During my freshman year, I became involved in several campus activities, including Habitat for Humanity.  My dorm voted me as their ‘Woman of the Year.’  During my sophomore year, I will serve as my dorm’s senate representative and continue my involvement with Habitat.  I am majoring in American Studies.”

“I attended summer sessions in 2007 and 2008.  I am contemplating whether I should double major in Human Biology and Neurobiology. I continuously volunteer to help in different fundraisers and community service activities that are scheduled at my church.”

“During my freshman year, I pledged Phi Beta Sigma.  I continue to participate in musical activities, where my talents have proven to be an asset.”

“I am presently pursuing a degree in Broadcast Journalism.”

 

“During my freshman year, I was a member of the Fisk University Choir.  During the fall break, we toured Chicago, IL, to help raise funds for our school.  I have dedicated some of my free time to volunteering with a program in the local elementary schools called Moves and Grooves.  I serve as a mentor to children from kindergarten through second grade. I was also a participant in our homecoming festivities by serving as Miss Purple and Gold in the Court of the Campus Kings and Queens.  I am majoring in Physics.”

“During my freshman year, I was part of a service learning community called Key Service, which required 30 hours of community service per semester.  Another program that I actively participated in was ‘Public Achievement.’  In this program, I worked with eight boys, ranging in age from six to eleven, all from Iris Elementary School, in Ft. Collins, CO.  The program requires the boys to identify an issue within their community and create addressing those needs.  The boys chose hunger, and collected over 200 lbs. of food within a week, which was donated to a local food bank.  I also volunteered in Commerce City schools, where we created a fun day, designed to show predominately minority students that college is possible”


Scholarship Announcement

In keeping with its mission to support the scholastic endeavors of young people, especially students of color, the Little Rock Nine® Foundation will award scholarships to high school seniors who plan on pursuing a college or university education. 

Listed below are the eligibility requirements and the timeline for application:

Scholarship/Mentorship Eligibility Requirements

 

To be eligible for the Little Rock Nine® Foundation Scholarship and Mentorship Awards Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be enrolled as a senior in high school for current academic year;

 

  1. Have a grade point average of 3.0 or its equivalent;
  1. Plan to attend an accredited college or university through graduation;

 

  1. Be willing to mentor another high school student;
  1. Have a financial need as verified by the financial aid department;

 

  1. Be a citizen of the U.S.

Eligibility Documents

 

  1. Complete the accompanying scholarship application;
  1. Provide an official transcript;

 

  1. Submit letters of recommendation by a teacher of your choice and a community leader who can speak to your overall ability and likelihood of your success in an undergraduate program of study.
  1. Mail completed application and letters of recommendation to:  Little Rock Nine® Foundation, P.O. Box 370208, Denver, CO 80237-0208, by January 31.

 


Little Rock Nine® Foundation
Scholarship Application

 

Date:___________________

Name:__________________________________________________________________ 
Last                                          First                             Middle/Initial

Age:____________     Date of Birth:__________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________

Phone Where You Can Be Reached:__________________________________________

High School:_____________________________________________________________

Location of High School:___________________________________________________

Current Grade Point Average:_______________________________________________

Extracurricular Activities:__________________________________________________

 

 

Colleges or Universities To Which You Have Applied or Intend to Apply:____________

 

 

On a separate page (or pages), write a 500 word essay describing why you think you deserve this Little Rock Nine® Foundation Scholarship and Mentorship Award.  Special emphasis should be placed on:

  • Why you want to go to college?

 

  • What the Little Rock Nine means to you?
  • Why you want the Little Rock Nine® Foundation scholarship?

 

  • What impact will the program have for you and how you plan to use the scholarship and mentorship program in the future.

Letter of Recommendation for
Little Rock Nine® Foundation Scholarship Applicant

The Little Rock Nine® Foundation’s Philosophy.

Many children still do not have access to adequate educational opportunities in the 21st Century.  Because of their struggles for a quality education, the Little Rock Nine members, through their Little Rock Nine® Foundation, are committed to assuring that our youth, especially children of color, are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to become future leaders.

The mission of the Little Rock Nine® Foundation is to provide direct financial support and a mentorship program for students to help them reach their educational goals.

In your own words, please explain why you think this student is deserving of a scholarship from the Little Rock Nine® Foundation. 

Please give a sealed copy of your letter to the student with your signature across the closing envelope flap so it can be mailed along with the student’s completed application.  Two letters of recommendation are required.

The deadline for receipt of all materials is January 31.