Selection
of Finalists and Program Requirements:
1) Ten young men and ten young women, seniors
in Andrew and Buchanan County schools, are selected to participate in this
prestigious program each fall.
Applications are
due November 14.
To ensure complete impartiality, each application is
screened for specific information that would identify either the
applicant's school or the individual applicant. Any such information found
is removed by the Selections Committee. Each application is assigned a
number, and the judges score the applications knowing only the application
number. An applicant shall never have been married nor shall their
parent/guardian be a current member of the scholarship board.
The applications are judged by five anonymous
judges representing:
1. The faith community
2. Volunteerism
3. Business
4. Education
5. The current Cotillion for Achievement Board.
Judging criteria:
30% academics,
30% extra-curricular activities
30% community service/involvement
10% essay
2)
In early January the 20 finalists are
presented to the public at a reception.
Soon after the reception a series of Saturday seminars are presented for the
finalists. The
seminars, titled Adventures in Achievement, are designed to enhance their leadership
and social skills and to encourage extensive community involvement. Experiences
with community leaders out in the community are usually included.
Participation in these seminars is a vital part of this unique scholarship
program and attendance is required.
3) Individual interviews are
conducted at the end of the scheduled seminars with the
same judges that reviewed the written applications. The interviews are
scored on a possible 100 points and include evaluation of verbal and non-verbal
communication as well as attendance reports for the Adventures in Achievement
seminars. These interviews determine the top male and top female recipients.
4)
Cotillion for Achievement, the final event:
An evening formal dinner-dance is held
after the workshops and interviews
are completed. Finalist attendance is required at this event in order to
receive the scholarship. In addition to the scholarships the top male and
top female finalists are announced. These two top recipients are each
presented the Award of Distinction.
Scholarship Levels:
Award of Distinction - $1,800 [top male
and female]
Finalist - $700 [18 other students]
Cotillion for Achievement Class
of 2003-2004 prior to the Ball
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