The Friends of Connetquot Scholarship

The Friends of Connetquot are pleased to announce their scholarship for high school junior and senior students for 2011.  One $500 scholarship will be awarded to a local student.  We are happy to invest in the education of the young people in our community as we aim to encourage them to value and help preserve Long Island’s open spaces and cultural history.

Jennifer and Megan Wilvert receiving their 2009-2010 FOC scholarships from FOC Chairman Bob Labuski.

We envision students writing articles for the Newsletter, helping to prepare grant applications to refurbish the mill, supercharging our public relations efforts, working to bring in new members (including fellow students), helping at the hatchery, greeting visitors at the gate and helping to give tours. The projects are endless and hopefully so is the imagination and energy the students will bring.

Students from all local schools are welcome to apply. Connetquot High School adjoins the Preserve. Sayville, East Islip and Central Islip districts share close ties in geography.

Interested qualified students are urged to apply.  Scholarship eligibility requirements include:

• Must attend a local high school
• Must demonstrate a solid academic record
• Must embody community involvement and leadership
• Must commit to assisting the Friends in their mission to preserve the Connetquot River State Park Preserve as follows:
• For at least 4 months of the year and for a minimum total of 15 hours, the student is expected to participate in the Friends’ endeavors and programs by performing assigned duties, which include but are not limited to helping set-up and clean up before and after the events, programs, and activity listed below:
• Friends’ Lecture Series—March, June, September
• Trail Ride-March
• Birding & Breakfast Programs (3)—May, September
• Newsletter Mailings—May and August
• Annual Gala—October
• Must agree to submit, by September 1, 2011 one or both of the following:
• An original essay not to exceed 1,000 words, double-spaced, and focused on one or more attributes of the Preserve, its historic and environmental value, and the importance of its continued preservation for future generations.
• A hand-made poster (no part of which may be computer generated). Size should not exceed 12” x 18” and may be in vertical or horizontal format. Artwork must be the original work of the student and done on poster board. Suggested media: pencil, pen and ink, marker, colored pencil, or watercolor. Subject should be an identifiable aspect of the Preserve.

To apply, please send a one-page Letter of Interest, stating student’s name, address, and telephone number, and attach parents’ written consent. Letter must be received by the Friends no later than April 30, 2011.

Address Letter to RitaTrapani, Scholarship Committee Chairwoman, and mail to:

Friends of Connetquot
Box 472
Oakdale, N. Y. 11769

Final selection of grant recipient will be made by the Friends’ Board of Directors from recommendations by the Scholarship Committee.  Award is to be presented at the Friends’ Annual Gala, October 2, 2011.