Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
The objective of the Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation Scholarship Program is to acquaint young people with the historical legacy of two of Virginia’s most outstanding military figures, Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.
One $10,000, eight $2,000, and eighteen $1,000 college scholarships are available to Virginia high school juniors and seniors submitting outstanding essays on the career, character, or some other aspect of the life of either General Robert E. Lee or General "Stonewall" Jackson, or both.
Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in each of Virginia’s eight public high school regions. A $1,000 bonus scholarship will be awarded to the author of the best essay in each of those eight regions.
Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to private school or homeschooled students whose essays are judged to be the best from this sector. A $1,000 bonus scholarship will be awarded to the author of the best essay in this sector.
An additional award of $8,000 will go to the public school, private school, or homeschooled student who authors the essay judged to be the best in the state.
A $1,000 award will be given to a school in each of the nine judging sectors (eight public school regions and one private/homeschooled region) in the name of the high school teacher or advisor who sponsors the most participating students in that sector.
Eligibility
Any student who is a Virginia resident, is classified as a junior or senior in a Virginia public or private high school or home school, plans to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college, and later enrolls as a full-time student is eligible to apply. Financial need is not a consideration.
How to Apply
Application packets are sent to all high schools in Virginia in September of each year. Students may obtain an application form and a complete set of application guidelines including deadlines from their school principal or guidance counselor. Complete application forms and guidelines are also available from the Foundation’s web site at: http://www.lee-jackson.org
Students must complete the application form and file it with their school principal. The application must be accompanied by an essay on either General Lee or General Jackson, or both. The deadline for completion of essays and submission to principals is generally in mid-December just prior to the holiday break.
The Essay
Judges seek clear, well-expressed, original essays. The length of the essay is not as important as the argument, idea, or points developed. Essays might address such topics as:
--General Lee’s or General Jackson’s heritage and their lives at war and at peace
-- Jackson as a tactician or Lee as a strategist
--Lee’s or Jackson’s impact on modern battlefield tactics
--Lee’s Christian fervor or Jackson’s religious passion
--Jackson’s enigmatic personality or Lee’s dedication to gentlemanly virtues
--Lee as President of Washington College or possible changes in the course of the Civil War had Jackson not died so early.
These topics are suggestions only, and students should feel free to choose any relevant topic they find interesting. History and English teachers may be particularly useful resources for ideas to research.
Student winners in public schools will be selected by a screening committee in each locality. Student winners in private and home schools will be selected by a screening committee appointed by the Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation.
The Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation of Charlottesville was founded in 1953 by the late Jay W. Johns, a successful Pennsylvania industrialist transplanted to Virginia who became a great admirer of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. He believed that both of these Americans possessed distinguished traits of character that should be emulated by future generations.
The Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation
P.O. Box 8121
Charlottesville, VA 22906
(434) 977-1861
http://www.lee-jackson.org