DuPage County NAACP Sydney Finley

Memorial Scholarship Application 

You are invited to apply to the DuPage County NAACP Sydney Finley Memorial Scholarship essay competition.  This competition is open to all high school seniors in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties. The competition closes at 11:55pm on February 28, 2015.

Student and parent must be a member of DuPage County NAACP prior to February 5, 2015. Youth Membership ($10). Adult Membership ($30) (Visit www.dupagecountynaacp.org/membership to join.)

Applications are not complete until ALL supporting documents are received via email before 2/28/2015.       We will not accept submissions after the deadline.

Winners will be notified via email and will be our guest at the NAACP ACT-SO  Awards Banquet on March 22, 2015  (Ashton Place, Willowbrook IL, 3pm).  Parent and supporters may purchase tickets for $50 at DuPage NAACP ACT-SO Tickets.

Instructions to complete this application:  

1. Please review eligibility requirements and list of necessary documents to send to email address after you have you have registered.

2. You will receive a ticket number when you register online.  This number will be used as your application tracking number when you submit your documents.

Eligibility Requirements:

• High school senior in good academic standing with a minimum 2.50 G.P.A. on 4.0 scale 
• DuPage County NAACP Youth Member ($10) by 2/5/2015
• DuPage County NAACP Parent Member ($30) by 2/5/2015

Submission Requirements:  Please submit via email to: essay@dupagecountynaacp.org.                   (Save Ticket Number to add to subject line in the email to us)

Submission Documents:

• A current professional headshot
• Copy of confirmation ticket received via email when application is submitted online
• Official high school transcript emailed from High School to: transcripts@dupagecountynaacp.org
•     OR sealed transcript mailed to PO Box 475, Wheaton, IL  60187
• Proof of application and/or acceptance letter to a 2 or 4 year institution
• Proof of Membership in the DuPage County NAACP (Email confirmation from NAACP or copy of membership card)
• 3 letters of reference supporting your commitment to educational excellence and community service
  • One reference from an educator or counselor from your high school who can support your academic excellence and extracurricular activities
  • One reference from a leader from an organization you provided community service (this cannot be a paid position)
  • One reference from a parent/guardian/caregiver who shares why you are deserving of the scholarship
• Personal Statement: A personal essay explaining why you are deserving of the scholarship based on your activities and how you will continue to support your community once you have completed your education.  This must be a maximum of 250 words, double spaced and 12 point font, in PDF format.
• Essay:  Use the ticket number from your submission as the only identifier in your essay.               Please DO NOT include your name or any identifying information. The essay must be between 450- 500 words, double spaced and 12 point font, in PDF format.
• Essay Question:  Recent events in New York, Missouri, Paris, and the movie, Selma, highlight the injustices suffered by people of color. Phrases such as "Black Life Matters" and "Human Life Matters" are displayed worldwide.  Additionally, an article published by U.S. News & World Report entitled, “New York Police Killings: The Politics of Race and Police Use of Force” by Joseph P. Williams, speaks to some of the injustices that people of color have had to face.  Taking the March on Selma, the news article, and recent events into consideration, how does the phrase “Black Life Matters” or “Human Life Matters” impacts your life as an individual?

Thank you for your application.  Please check your email for confirmation and ticket number.

Please send an email to info@dupagecountynaacp.org for questions.

Dr. Maria Curry-Nkansah                                                                                                                                                 2nd Vice President                                                                                                                                                               DuPage County NAACP