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The Educational
Opportunity Foundation
of the Black Forest
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Former Recipients
Celebrating its 45th Anniversary in 2010
The
goal of the Educational Opportunity
Foundation is to assist worthy Black
Forest students get started in the pursuit of higher education,
whether in vocational trades or academics. In this regard,
scholarship grants have been awarded to local high school students
every year since 1965.
EOF
is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization and the extent of the grants
is wholly dependent upon local support.
The best investment a community can make is in the education of
its young people!
Over
the years, scholarship money has been generated through many
different fund raising activities: golf tournaments, home tours,
bake sales, the sale of note cards and prints designed by artist
Mark Dixon, and participation in the Combined Federal Campaign
(CFC). Generous and constant support also comes from individuals
who live in the Black Forest and local businesses.
Since
its inception, the Board of Directors of the EOF has been composed
of Black Forest citizens dedicated to the interests and needs of
our young people. The original sponsor of the organization was
the Black Forest Community Church. Reverend Nick Natelli, Mrs.
Edith Wolford, and many other local residents offered their time
and effort to make the fledgling EOF a success.
Current
Board members are: Don Hardin, Minor Nelson, Joyce Rosenquist,
Joan Bracken, Don Root, Andy Taylor, Dave Hunter, Fred Russell,
and Nancy Billiard.
All
Black Forest high school students are eligible for EOF grants,
regardless of where they attend. Students who have successfully
completed a GED program and home-schooled students are also
eligible. In 2009, EOF awarded $7500 in scholarships, shared
among five local students.
Board
members have developed an outreach that includes visiting with
local high school guidance counselors, and offering to make a
presentation to various local church youth groups. This year, we
plan to continue our outreach and add a “help night” to answer
questions that parents and students might have about our
application process. This session will be held at our office
(11340 Black Forest Road) on January 27, 2010. Most, if not all
of the Board members will be there from 6-9 PM. Refreshments will
be served. We hope for a great turn-out!
Our
latest brochure is available at local businesses. Please pick one
up and see the many Black Forest Businesses who support our
scholarships.
Your
tax-deductible donation in support of this worthy program will be
graciously accepted. Should you care to participate, please make
your check payable to Educational Opportunity Foundation of the
Black Forest (or, EOF), 11340 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80908.
Contact
us via e-mail: nbilliard@q.com.
An
Application Packet may be downloaded from this site or picked up
at the EOF offices during regular business hours, Monday through
Friday, beginning December 1, 2009.
Page 1
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Application Procedure for EOF Scholarship
Scholarships
will be awarded for both vocational and academic pursuits.
Criteria
used for selection of scholarship recipients by the Board of
Directors are: financial need, student character, community
involvement, extra-curricular activities, student goals, and
academic performance.
Candidates
must be high school seniors (or, of that age group, if applying
under GED) who reside within the following boundaries:
****The
north boundary is County Line Road of El Paso County and Douglas
County. The west boundary begins at the intersection of the north
boundary and the center of Highway 83, continuing south to the
intersection of Powers Boulevard and Highway 83, southeastward
along Powers to Old Ranch Road; continuing eastward along Old
Ranch Road to Black Forest Road (including the line through
private property where Old Ranch Road is interrupted); southward
along the center of Black Forest Road to Woodman Road and then
from the middle of Woodman Road directly eastward to Meridian
Road. The eastern boundary is the middle of Meridian Road
northward to County Line Road.
In
general, anyone residing within the 80908 zip code is eligible.
There are some parts of the 80106 zip code which are also within
our boundaries. Please check a map to be sure.
The
following forms must be accurately completed and delivered to the
Educational Opportunity Foundation, 11340 Black Forest Road,
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908 by March 15, 2010 at the close of
business (5 PM MST):
***The Application Checklist
***This signed application (see below) along with a 2”x3” head
and shoulder photograph of the applicant
***Student forms: page 2 (personal information) and page 3
(academic information)
***Two letters of recommendation, one of which MUST be from a
mentor or supervisor who can attest to your volunteer work. If
you are applying for a trade/vocational scholarship, it would be
helpful if the second letter were from a vocational teacher who
knows your work. These letters should be delivered to the office
as part of your packet. Often, letters sent separately get lost
in the mail.
***An official transcript of your high school grades or your GED
certificate.
***A copy of page one of your family’s most recent 1040 Income
Tax form
***Your ACT or SAT scores (these may be included with your
transcript)
***Your essay/project (see page 5)
Page 2
Please
note: Awardees are required
to attend the Scholarship Banquet (May 11, 2010).
There will be an open house/help session on January 27, 2010 for those
parents and applicants who would like to ask questions or receive
suggestions about the application process. The session will be at
the EOF office at 11340 Black Forest Road, from 6-9PM.
Each applicant is expected to come to an interview session. The
interviews will be on April 19th and 20th,
2010 at the EOF offices.
The selection of recipients will be on April 21st and all
applicants will receive both phone and letter notification on or
before April 28, 2010.
Intention of Applicant:
I
agree to be enrolled in an educational institution by January 31,
2011 in order to activate the scholarship. If by that time I have
not enrolled, I relinquish my scholarship.
Please
print your name here: ________________________________
Student
Signature: ________________________________________
Personal
Information (This information is strictly
confidential and will be destroyed after the scholarships have
been awarded.)
Applicant’s
Name:___________________________
Applicant’s
Address: _________________________
Applicant’s
Phone: (home)___________________(cell)___________________
Applicant’s
High School (if applicable)________________________________
Father’s
Occupation: ______________________________
Mother’s
Occupation:_____________________________
Number
of Siblings:__________ Are any in college or trade school
now?_________
Applicant’s
Interests and Volunteer contributions to our community:
(Please note: you need only list your activities here. Your essay
should include details of your service.)
Page 3
The
Educational Opportunity Foundation of the Black Forest
Student
Form: Scholarship Application-Academic Information
This
information is strictly confidential and will be destroyed after
the scholarships have been awarded.
Student’s
Name:_________________________________________
Grade
Point Average:_____________ Class Standing___________________
CAD Programs successfully completed (more appropriate to
vocational applicants):
SAT
Score: __________ ACT Score: ___________
Honors:
(academic or service-related):
_____________________________________
How many years have you lived in the Black Forest? _________________________
Where do you intend to further your education? ________________________________
Have you been accepted at this time? __________
Are you enrolled at this time? _______________
Have you been awarded any other financial assistance? ___________If so, what kind?
Is there any other financial assistance that will be available to you if you do not receive this scholarship?
_______________________________________
Scholarship
monies must be applied toward tuition, books, or fees. An account
of expenditures must be submitted to the Board by the recipient if
the school does not provide this information. Scholarship funds
are sent directly to the school (trade/vocational school or
college/university) for use by the recipient.
Page 4
The
Educational Opportunity Foundation of the Black Forest
Student
Form: Letter of Recommendation
General
Reference (A personal letter may be submitted in place of this
form as long as all points are covered)
Student’s
Name___________________________
How
long and in what capacity have you known this applicant?_____________
Are
you related? _______ If so, what is that
relationship?__________________________
What
evidence do you have that would lead you to believe that this
candidate has the desire, ability, and the drive necessary to
succeed in college or vocational
school?________________________________________________________________
Please
check the following scale in recommendation of this applicant.
Superior Strong
Good Fair Poor
Ability to get along with others
Self Image
Dependability
Resourcefulness
Additional
information which may be helpful, such as probable financial needs
or work experience:
______________________________
Referring
person’s Name, Address, and Phone:
* Please
return this to the student in a sealed envelope. Student will need to deliver his/her application by 3/15/10.
Signature:_______________________
Page 5
The
Educational Opportunity Foundation of the Black Forest
Student
Form---Essay
On a
separate sheet, in 250-500 words discuss your ultimate career
goal. (THIS ESSAY MUST BE TYPE-WRITTEN OR WORD-PROCESSED. HAND
WRITTEN ESSAYS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE,)
Applicants
who are expecting to attend a trade/vocational school may opt to
include a project which details their interest/expertise in a
particular technical skill instead of an essay. The format for
this project is 8 ½” x 11” and may include diagrams or photos
along with processed text. Scholarship finalists will be asked to
attend a short interview with EOF Board members on April 19th
or 20th, 2010 at the EOF offices. We try to be very
flexible on the times of these interviews, but the applicant must
expect to make him-/herself available for this part of the
process. You will be notified as to the time of your interview
after the application deadline (March 15, 2010).
Please
remember: the application must complete and on time. Incomplete
applications will not be processed.
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Checklist
Application Checklist for EOF Scholarships
Applicant’s
Name_____________________________________
PLEASE BE
SURE YOU LIVE WITHIN THE EOF BOUNDARIES. All who live within the
80908 zip code are eligible. Some who live in the 80106 zip code are
also eligible. Check our map or call the office or Nancy Billiard
(495-0292) to verify your eligibility.
The
deadline for completed applications is 5:00PM, March 15, 2010.
Applications should be hand-delivered to the EOF office at 11340
Black Forest Road (the Farmer’s Insurance Building), any time
before the deadline.
Please
enclose this checklist with your application.
Incomplete
applications will NOT be processed, so it is essential that your
application is complete.
Have you:
____Checked
the boundaries for this scholarship to be sure you are eligible
____Signed
and dated your application
____Included
a recent “head shot” picture of yourself
____Included
two (2) letters of recommendation, ONE of which MUST be a letter from
a supervisor or mentor or youth leader who has first-hand knowledge
of your community service
____Included
an essay or project which reflects your need for this scholarship and
your plans for the future (see page 5)
____Included
your high school transcript and ACT/SAT score(s), whichever is test
is appropriate
____Included
a copy of your GED Certificate (if applicable)
____Included
a copy of page one of your most recent 1040 Income tax form
____Included
a completed page two of the application form (with interests, family
size, school intention: four year, community college, trade or
vocational institution)
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