ODS Interscholastic Merit Scholarship ODS Youth Committee
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Oregon Dressage Society Interscholastic Merit Scholarship
Sponsored by Oregon Dressage Society Youth Programs
Purpose/Objective: An annual award to recognize and reward well-rounded ODS high school dressage youth members who personify the ODS High School Code of conduct, and have been accepted to enroll as a freshman at a college or university.
Eligibility: 1. Only current ODS High School Dressage team members in good standing who have been members of
ODS and participated in the High School Dressage program at least two years at the time of application may apply. Participate is defined as: Entered in show, volunteered or obtained sponsorships for scholarship fundraisers.
2. Applications will be available on the ODS website by January 1st of the year for the scholarship award year.
3. The deadline for submission of applications is April 1st of the scholarship year. 4. The scholarship application must be self-initiated by the student. Teacher or parent nominations will
not be accepted, and applicants are expected to complete the application process without outside assistance.
Rules: 1. A completed application must be submitted by the student, USPS postmarked on or before April 1st, to
the ODS Office and must include any attachments to the application. 2. References (as described below under Award Criteria) must also be received, USPS postmarked on or
before April 1st, in order for an application to be complete. 3. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of the Award Criteria outlined below. 4. The decision of the Scholarship Selection Committee is final. 5. The winner(s) will be notified on or before June 1st of the year of application. 6. Awards are not refundable or transferable to another student or another school. Winners who do not
enroll in their named college or university by the end of the scholarship award year will forfeit the award.
7. Students who withdraw or are dismissed from high school prior to graduation will forfeit the award. 8. Previous years’ winners are not eligible to re-apply for the award and the scholarship is not renewable.
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Award Criteria:
Student characteristics: 35%
1. Role model, leadership, school and community service. (15%)
a. Applicants should list experiences in leadership, school and community service, and service as a role model in the school or in the community at large.
b. The hours, quality, number of years and variety of service will be considered. c. Applicants are encouraged to list examples of leadership and community service while in
high school. d. Students should submit examples of how they demonstrate the values listed in the ODS
High School Student Code of Conduct, and have worked in dressage-related activities. 2. Active involvement in extracurricular activities (visual or performing arts, sports, hobbies,
school clubs, church and community organizations) in and out of school. (20%)
a. Students should include awards and years of participation. b. It is not necessary to include a resume. c. Students should mention special talents and interests. d. Participation in at least one sport other than dressage is considered; however, it is not necessary
to have played a competitive sport, and it is not necessary to have participated in another sports program in high school.
e. Dressage-related experience and activities should be included.
Academic characteristics: 30%
1. The scholarship is merit-based rather than need-based. 2. Academic performance in high school will be considered and a high school transcript must be
submitted. The transcript must be provided directly from the high school, and sent directly to the ODS office prior to the deadline for receipt of applications.
3. Applicants should include information on academic awards, participation in special academic programs or competitions, or particular academic talents.
Essay: 20%
1. An essay of 250 words or less must be submitted with the application on a topic to be determined each year by the Selection Committee.
2. The essay must be typewritten and double-spaced. 3. The essay must be solely the work of the entrant. 4. Consideration will be given to originality, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and
punctuation. In addition, essays will be evaluated on both style and content.
References: 15%
1. At least two references, one from a high school faculty member, and another from a dressage trainer or instructor must be submitted by the application deadline.
2. Recommendations should address the scholarship award criteria and must be submitted separately from the student’s application, directly to the ODS office.
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Award(s) 1. Cash awards will be presented each academic year by ODS to the winner(s) chosen by the Scholarship
Selection Committee.
2. ODS will send a check to the school, not directly to the winning student(s), for the total amount of the scholarship.
3. The award payment will be made during the award year upon proof of enrollment. 4. Students receiving other financial aid or scholarships are eligible for this Scholarship. 5. The Scholarship Selection Committee will name winners in each award year based upon
proceeds earned from a show sponsored by the High School Dressage Teams and/or other fund raising efforts.
6. Scholarship winners will receive award certificates to be presented during the State High School Dressage Championship dinner or the ODS Annual Awards Banquet if a Championship show is not held.
Eligibility Confirmation: 1. ODS requires confirmation of acceptance and intention to enroll in a college or university prior to
announcement of scholarship recipients. 2. ODS requires confirmation of enrollment in a college or university prior to award payment. 3. Applicants should send confirmation of their acceptance and intention to enroll in a college or
university, USPS postmarked on or before May 10th, if this information was not included in their initial application.
Scholarship Selection Committee: 1. The Scholarship Selection Committee will be composed of three to five ODS members to include
members of the ODS Youth Committee and ODS Executive Board. 2. The Committee will be selected and announced each year prior to the acceptance of applications for
the next scholarship award year. 3. Members of the Committee are ineligible to write recommendations for student applicants for that
year. 4. Parents of applicants are not eligible to serve on the Scholarship Selection Committee.
Essay Question: 1. Describe the person who has had the greatest impact on your life and explain that influence.
Questions and Information: Questions on scholarship eligibility, the application criteria or the selection procedures should be directed to the attention of the ODS office: Oregon Dressage Society, Inc., PO Box 959, Hillsboro OR 9713-0959 -- Phone: (503) 681-2337 Fax: (503) 681-3873 - http://www.oregondressage.com or contact Gaye McCabe at (503) 378-0309 [email protected]
ODS Interscholastic Merit Scholarship ODS Youth Committee
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Oregon Dressage Society Interscholastic Merit Scholarship Application
Sponsored by Oregon Dressage Society Youth Programs
Please print or type – additional information may be attached on a separate sheet.
Last Name___________________________ First Name___________________ MI_________
Complete Address_____________________________________________________________
Name of Parent/Guardian__________________________________ Home Phone_____________
E-Mail_________________________ ODS Membership Number______________________
Name of High School________________________________________ Phone _____________
High School Address____________________________________________________________
Date of High School Graduation _________ Anticipated Date of College Enrollment _________
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List Colleges or Universities where student has applied or been accepted for admission.
College or University Indicate status of application
List examples of leadership, school and community service, including hours and description of service.
Include examples of how you demonstrate the values listed in the ODS Statement of Principle.
Include work and volunteer service in dressage-related activities.
Examples Description
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List extracurricular activities other than dressage (visual or performing arts, sports, hobbies, school
clubs) in and out of school. Include awards and years of participation. Mention special talents and
interests.
Activities Description
List dressage-related experience, special accomplishments or outstanding awards.
Activities Description
ODS Interscholastic Merit Scholarship ODS Youth Committee
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List any academic honors or awards, participation in special academic programs or competitions, or
particular academic talents.
Examples Description
List any other relevant experiences that have not been listed elsewhere on this form, such as
employment or summer activities.
Other experiences Description
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References (List one member of your high school faculty and dressage trainer/coach reference.
Include phone numbers). Note that written references must be sent directly to the ODS office,
separately from the application, to the following address: ODS IMO Scholarship, c/o ODS – PO Box
959, Hillsboro OR 97123-0959.
References Name, Address, Phone No.
High School Faculty
Trainer/Instructor
Attach a typed double-spaced essay of no more than 250 words on the following topic:
Essay Question:
1. Describe the person who has had the greatest impact on your life and explain that influence.
I certify that this information is accurate to the best of my knowledge, and that the essay is solely my
work. I agree to abide by the scholarship rules and am cognizant that all decisions of the Scholarship
Committee are final.
Student Signature________________________________________ Date:________________
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ODS Interscholastic Merit Scholarship
Sponsored by The ODS Youth Programs Committee
Annual Scholarship Specifications
Application Deadline: April 1
ODS will award scholarships for the each school year based on funds earned by the Dressage for the
Ages Show. All scholarship winners will receive award certificates to be presented during the State
High School Dressage Championship dinner or the ODS Annual Awards Banquet if a Championship
show is not held.
The number of awards and the amount of the awards will be based on profits from a spring show
sponsored by the ODS High School Dressage teams and/or any other fund raising efforts by the High
School Teams.
ODS requires verification of acceptance and enrollment in a college or university before scholarship
recipients are publicly announced and prior to payment of award. The deadline for receipt is USPS
postmarked on or before May 10th.
Students are reminded that completed applications, including any attachments, should be submitted
to the ODS office USPS postmarked on or before April 1st the application deadline. References and
high school transcripts are also due, USPS postmarked on or before April 1st, and must be submitted
separately from the student’s application, directly to the ODS office.
If different than the ODS Youth Committee, the Scholarship Selection Committee will be announced
on the ODS website.
If you have questions on scholarship eligibility, the application criteria, or the selection procedures
please contact: Gaye McCabe at [email protected] or (503) 378-0309.
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Instructions for Scholarship Selection Committee
Each application must be evaluated by each member of the Scholarship Selection Committee using
the format outlined below.
Evaluation System:
Points will be assigned for each category of the awards criteria using the following scale:
5 = Excellent (All criteria of category completely met. Student demonstrates extraordinary self-
motivation and leadership: outstanding scholarship, detail, quality of service, performance, number
and quality of examples.)
4 = Very Good (All criteria of category completely met. Student demonstrates above average self-
motivation and leadership: above average scholarship, detail, quality of service, performance,
number and quality of examples.)
3 = Good (All criteria of category met. Student demonstrates good self-motivation and leadership:
good scholarship, detail, quality of service, performance, number and quality of examples.)
2 = Satisfactory (Minimum criteria of category met. Student demonstrates average self-motivation,
leadership, scholarship, detail, service, performance, quality and number of examples.)
1 = Sufficient (Minimum criteria of category met. Student demonstrates below average or minimum
scholarship, service, performance, quality and number of examples.)
0 = Insufficient (Minimum criteria of category not met. Basic details are missing.)
Half-points may be used in scoring, and ties in final scores may be broken by using decimals.
Each awards category is weighted by multiplying the marks (points) given by a coefficient. The total
marks received from each member of the Scholarship Selection Committee are added to produce a
“score” for each applicant. The applicants with the highest total scores will be awarded scholarships
according to the number of scholarships being awarded each year.
The Selection Committee will meet after evaluating applicants in each awards category in order to
determine score totals for each applicant and to determine the award winners. During this meeting
scores may be adjusted or decimals may be used to break ties.
After the selection process is completed, the scholarship applications, supporting materials, and
evaluation forms become the property of ODS. Evaluation forms are confidential and will not be
available to the applicants or their parents.
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ODS Interscholastic Merit Scholarship
Scholarship Selection Committee Evaluation Form
Name of Applicant: _________________________________________________________________
Name of Scholarship Selection Committee Member:________________________________________
Award Category Category Criteria
(and Directive Ideas)
Points
(1-5)
Coeffi
cient
Total Comments
Role model,
leadership, school and
community service
(15%)
* Applicants should list experiences in leadership,
school and community service, and service as a role
model in the school or in the community at large.
*The hours, quality, and variety of service will be
considered.
* Applicants are encouraged to list examples of
leadership.
* Students should submit examples of how they
demonstrate values listed in the ODS Statement of
Principle.
X
1.5
Active involvement in
extracurricular
activities (visual or
performing arts,
sports, hobbies,
school clubs, church
and community
organizations) in and
out of school. (20%)
* Students should include awards and years of
participation.
* It is not necessary to include a resume.
* Students should mention special talents and
interests.
* Participation in at least one sport in addition to
dressage is considered; however, it is not necessary
to have played a competitive sport, and it is not
necessary to have participated in a sports program
in high school.
* Dressage experience, activities, awards and
accomplishments.
X
2.0
ODS Interscholastic Merit Scholarship ODS Youth Committee
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Academic
Characteristics (30%)
* Academic performance as demonstrated by
grades and level of courses taken.
* Applicants should include information on
academic awards, participation in special academic
programs or competitions, or particular academic
talents.
X
3.0
Essay (20%) * An essay of 250 words or less must be submitted
with the application.
* The essay must be typewritten and double-
spaced.
* Consideration will be given to originality, clarity of
expression, grammar, spelling and punctuation. In
addition, essays will be evaluated on both style and
content.
X
2.0
References (15%) * At least two references, one from a high school
faculty member, and another from a trainer or
instructor must be submitted by the application
deadline.
* Recommendations should address the scholarship
criteria and must be submitted directly to the ODS
office separately from the student’s application.
* References will be evaluated on strength of
recommendation and knowledge of student’s
activities.
X
1.5
Total Points accumulated by Student: