ROTARY FOUNDATION OF KLAMATH COUNTY

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH

The primary purpose for which the corporation is organized is to receive gifts, bequests, devises, and monies from any other source, and property or monies for any civic, educational or charitable purpose to promote the general welfare of citizens of Klamath County, State of Oregon. The corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable,scientific and educational purposes.” Article III, Articles of Incorporation dated April 12, 1976 .

Scholarships

Howard Amidon was President of the Klamath County Rotary Club in 1974 - 1975 when he led the club to create the Klamath County Rotary Foundation. Many Rotarians had endured hard times during the depression and WWII. Over the years, contributions from Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike have built an endowment sufficient to allow its growth while dispensing in excess of $150,000 to needy academically capable students. Presently for graduating high school seniors there are: Seven $1,800 scholarships, One $1,000 vocational studies award, and from One to Eight renewable scholarships totalling $4,000 for students with a declared major in Music, Performing Arts, or Education..

The Foundation offers for graduating high school seniors: the Howard Amidon Scholarship; the Floyd A. Boyd Memorial Scholarship; the Gerald V. Brown Scholarship; the Ada and G. Ellis Matthews Scholarship for Engineering and Mathmatics; the Joseph F Porter Scholarship and two general Rotary scholarships; plus the James Conroy Prize for Vocational Studies. It also offers the Margie Howard Scholarship for Music and Education for high school seniors who are majoring in music, the performing arts or education.  These scholarships are renewable for the students sophmore, junior, and senior years of undergraduate college.  In order to renew the scholarships, the student must reapply for the scholarship.  

Application Process

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS (applicants for the freshmen scholarships) can obtain the application on line at www.kcrotary.org or from their school counselors. The Deadline for application submission is April 1st. Following receipt of the applications on April 1 of each year, Rotarians review the completed applications to select finalists to be interviewed. The committee usually selects students in the top quarter of their class who have worked hard against great adversity. Strong extracurricular involvement as volunteers in community service as well as after school employment are also considered in the selection process.
APPLICATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS:

COLLEGE STUDENTS (Margie Howard scholarship applicants) can obtain applications either on line at www.kcrotary.org or by writing the Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 492, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. The deadline is April 1.

The criteria for selecting the Margie Howard scholarship recipients are as follows:
A. Declared major in one of the following prioritized categories:
1. Music - Education or Performing

2. Performing Arts - Theater, Dance, Drama

3. Education - Primary or Secondary B. 3.0 or better college GPA while maintaining full time student status C. Completion of the application form with attachments Scholarships are renewable contingent upon reapplication and continuing to meet the scholarship criteria through the BA degree or for five years.

APPLICATION FOR SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR OR SENIOR YEAR:

APPLICATION DEADLINES!!

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DEADLINES ARE NOTED BELOW:

Klamath County High School Senior scholarship applications are due April 1. 2010.

College Sophomore, Junior and Senior applications are due April 1, 2010.

Applications and filing instructions are linked in paragraphs above.

Questions can be addressed to ; Rotary Foundation Scholarship Chair, PO Box 492, Klamath Falls, Oregon  97601, or email to redbarn39@aol.com

Other Programs

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

A training program for young leaders, RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship and personal growth. Incoming high school seniors in our area are chosen for their leadership potential to attend an all expenses paid, weeklong camp, Camp Cascade. There they develop qualities of effective leadership and ideals of service in a group setting. Young leaders can emerge, develop and diversify, demonstrate the value of using insight before taking action and think in terms of community rather than limited personal goals. Applications are due the first week of April. Contact: Frank Ganong at 883-1100.

Rotary International Youth Exchange

High school students between the ages of 15 and 18 are eligible for the Rotary Youth Exchange. As the oldest exchange program of its kind, it takes pride in choosing students who are academically above average, are articulate and who demonstrate leadership in their communities. Ideal candidates should also possess qualities - like flexibility and a willingness to try new things - that will enable them to become excellent cultural ambassadors. You need not be involved with Rotary in any way to apply, although children or Rotarians are more than welcome to participate. It is one of the best supported international exchange programs open to high school students. The deadline for applications is November 20th. A short term Summer Exchange Program is also available. The deadline for applications is early April. Contact: Jim Calvert at 885-2000.