The 2011 Helen and Robert Damon Scholarship

What it is
A scholarship open to Grant County residents.
Who can apply
Residents of Grant County who will attend community college, a university, or vocational school in the fall of 2011.

Additional application details

Interested students should send a letter of introduction, two letters of recommendation, and an essay. The topic for 2011 is “Lessons Learned Outside School.” Send a letter of acceptance or class registration confirmation for fall term, if you already have it. You will need to prove you are attending school in the fall if you are selected for a scholarship.

Introduce yourself

The letter of introduction should explain

Let others speak on your behalf

Letters of recommendation may be written by anyone, although we would prefer one from an (unrelated) community member and one from a teacher. Recommendation letters should be included with the application (writers should give the letters to the students to mail). When you ask for the recommendation letter, ask the writer to be as specific as possible about your potential. What kinds of contributions can they see you making and why?

Explore your own ideas

This year’s essay topic is “Lessons Learned Outside School.”

Life lessons come in all shapes and sizes -- from babysitting little cousins to auto accidents; grandparents' stories and abiding friendships. Who has given you the most memorable lessons in life, and why do you value them so highly?

The essay and letter of introduction must be written entirely by the student. The essay should be at least three pages and no more than four, double-spaced. It may explore the topic from any perspective.

The views of the committee run the gamut so don’t try to tell us what you think we want to hear. We’re looking for something that makes us think and shows us you can. It will be much easier to get your point across if you also employ grammar, spelling, concise writing and basic logic. And if you actually believe what you're putting on paper.

Make sure it’s all there

Only complete applications will be accepted. A complete application will include:

Mail it by June 30

Send applications to:

Helen and Robert Damon Scholarship
P.O. Box 181
Albany, OR 97321

Applications postmarked after June 30 will not be accepted.

Other details

The Helen and Robert Damon Scholarship (the Nana and Poppop Fund) is offered by two grandchildren of the Damons. Helen and Robert Damon founded Oregon Telephone Corporation in Grant County. We expect it to be an annual grant.

Scholarship awards will be announced and awarded during the summer so include a mailing address that will be valid after the school year ends.

Any questions not answered on this page or in Questions on the previous page can be addressed to the surface mail address or by writing npfund AT espub DOT com. Remove the spaces and then replace the AT with @ and the DOT with . (a period). Please be aware that e-ddress gets a LOT of spam (put 'scholarship' in the subject line, please) and the physical mailbox only gets checked weekly (plan ahead).