Sean Simmons Youth

Scholarship Award
2011
Deadline Midnight June 1, 2011
www.bswconference.com/contests.html

Powt.org

Sponsored by
Kent Nichols & neighbors foundation
 All High School Youth for the
Bayou Soul Writers and Reader’s Conference

Dear Parents and Students,

BSWRC is proud to announce the BSWRC Sean Simmons Youth Scholarship.

This scholarship is available only to minority Louisiana High School students.
ALL students, freshman through seniors should participate as everyone can
benefit.

This membership scholarship sponsored by high school supporter, Kent

Nichols, is valued at a minimum of $5,000 per year for each year the student
is in college. That is a value of $20,000 or more for the student who meets
and follows the guidelines to receive maximum assistance.

This award, which comes directly from the college the student winner would
select to attend, is based on talents, fields of interest and career goals and
has nothing to do with household income or assets. Everyone is encouraged
to apply.

The winner will be selected based on the essay written as described on the
attached form, as well as the other information required. Greatest weight will
be given to the essay content to create a fair competition for all.

Essays and applications are due by Midnight on June 1, 2011 and the
scholarship committee, which will be made up of business and education
professionals in the community, will select the winner shortly thereafter.

Best wishes to all!

Kent Nichols
Kent Nichols, Sponsor from Neighbors Foundation

BSWRC Mission Statement

The Bayou Soul Writers & Reader’s Conference (BSWRC) is an annual event that
takes place in New Orleans on Thursday and Friday, June 30 and July 1, 2011 prior
to the Essence Festival. During this time, many people will converge upon the city to
experience and celebrate American music, art and culture with a focus on music.

IN contrast, BSWRC caters to those who are primarily interested in literary arts by
bringing together book lovers, readers, authors, emerging writers, members of the
publishing industry and film professionals.
 POWT.ORG

BSWRC Sean Simmons Youth Scholarship

Award

Purpose of the scholarship competition essay

The Bayou Soul Writers and Reader’s Sean Simmons Youth
Scholarship Award is open to any minority high school
student in Louisiana. The essay must be at least 4 pages or
less double line spacing on Toya Carter’s book, “Priceless
Inspirations or Reshawn Hughes’ book, “Under Pressure.”
The essay must be written in English with an introduction,
thesis statement, at least three supporting paragraphs and a
conclusion free from major lapses in grammar and
mechanics that tells how this book has inspired and/or
changed your life for the better. YOU MUST READ ONE OF
THESE BOOKS! All entries must be original and written by
the student.
Be creative, be original and keep in mind that 70% of the
score will come from the content of your essay so give it
some thought.
Remember, your application and essay must be in our
possession at

Midnight June 1, 2011.

Email to: bswconference@gmail.com

Or fax to: 1-866-931-7479

Sponsored by Kent Nichols/Neighbors Foundation

 One College Circle
180 E Spring Sky St
Tucson, AZ 85737
800 743 4731 Voice
888 743 4731 FAX

Neighbors Membership Scholarship

The Neighbors Membership Scholarship® is a service to communities and

organizations nationwide. Each month, a Neighbors Membership Scholarship® is
awarded as a way for our organization, current members and volunteers to give back
to their community by providing a FREE membership to a selected candidate and
their family. This scholarship includes the renewal dues for the life of the
membership with the selected family. Here are the selection criteria.
1. The Neighbors Membership Scholarship® must be open and offered to all
eligible candidates from the selected pool of candidates which may be
determined as part of the criteria of each competition. A minimum of 30
qualified applicants must participate.

2. The Neighbors Membership Scholarship® is promoted through the school,

service group, or community organization and must provide an application
period of a minimum period of time to be outlined in the request to our board
for approval. A period of 60 days or less is suggested. This promotes the
learning of the importance of meeting deadlines and focusing on a “due date.”

3. The application process includes the submission of two documents. An essay

is always required and represents the majority of the weight in selection.
This gives every student a fair chance regardless of their grades or other life
experience criteria. Designed to give every applicant an opportunity to win.

a. Neighbors Membership Scholarship® application

b. Essay on assigned topic – length and topic choices remain with sponsoring
group.

4. All application materials must be submitted to the Neighbors Membership

Scholarship® review team before the final award is approved. The judges
should be chosen from the community sponsoring the competition and they
should narrow the field to 3 to 5 semi-finalists. Final selection will be made
by Neighbors to avoid concerns for fairness by the judges. We don’t want
our volunteer judges subject to criticism on the selection choice.
 BSWRC Sean Simmons Youth Scholarship

Last Name: ____________________________ First Name: _____________________________

Address: ____________________________________ Email Address: ___________________

City: _________________________________ State: _____________ Zip: _______________

Date of Birth: _______/_______/________

School Attending: Counselor: ________________

GPA ____ PSAT______SAT ______ACT ______Class Rank _______ Graduation date _______

Scholastic Awards and Achievements _______________________________________________

Fields of Interest _______________________________________________________________

Preferred Colleges ______________________________________________________________

Jobs _________________________________ Sports _________________________________

Community Service __________________________________________________________________

You may include a resume if you wish.

Father's Full Name _________________________________ Email_______________________

Mother's Full Name _________________________________ Email_______________________

Address __________________________ City _____________ State _________ Zip_________

Home Phone (_____)________________ Daytime Phone (_____)________________________

Father's Occupation _____________________ Employer ______________________________

Mother's Occupation _____________________ Employer ______________________________

Number of dependent Children _______________ Ages _______________________________

Names _______________________________________________________________________

The Bayou Soul Writers and Reader’s Essay Contest is open to any minority high
school student in Louisiana. The essay must be at least 4 pages or less double line
spacing on Toya Carter’s book, “Priceless Inspirations” or Reshawn Hughes’ book,
“Under Pressure.” The essay must be written in English with an introduction, thesis
statement, at least three supporting paragraphs and a conclusion free from major
lapses in grammar and mechanics that tells how this book has inspired and/or
changed your life for the better. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! All entries must be
original and written by the student.

Applicant signature ________________________________ Date ____________________

Send your completed application and essay by email to: bswconference@gmail.com

All applications must emailed by Midnight June 1, 2011
Score for this applicant

Content ____________70% Originality_____________20% Form _____________10%Total_________

Sponsored by Kent Nichols/Neighbors Foundation

Approved by POWT Board 2.21.11