New Putnam-specific 4-H scholarships plus tips

Scholarship application season is in full swing. Many 4-H and other scholarships have approaching January deadlines or will have due dates during the late winter/early spring time. There are two very important features to being successful at receiving scholarships.

The first is a “duh!” but seriously, one has to apply with a quality application. Too often scholarships go un-awarded due to no applicants or no applicants who followed instructions. In other instances, one could pay attention to detail with cover letters and power statements to out-compete a limited number of other applicants.

Secondly power statements will be discussed to enhance applications.

Do not use one cover letter for all scholarship applications without taking at least a small amount time to detail each cover letter to be specific for each scholarship application. The cover letter is an opportunity to provide information specific to objectives that perhaps was not possible given the application’s format.

Using power statements (while remaining truthful) is a key to success. For example rather than simply stating “Putnam County 4-H member for 10 years,” one could take deeper consideration of the 4-H career to list power statements like the following:

• Exhibited leadership recruiting 22 youth to join the Putnam 4-H program and five other youth to become Junior Leaders during last five years.

• Developed life skills of responsibility, finance, planning, and science via raising sheep with flock numbering between two to 23 during last ten years while in 4-H program.

• Spearheaded Backwoods 4-H Club carwash to raise $739 for XYZ Shelter which provided 147 meals to homeless individuals during 2018.

Power statements must be prioritized and focused on the key objectives of the particular scholarship. If current or past 4-H’ers have questions or would like to have a review of applications, please contact Mark at the Extension office. Another tip is to search the internet for lists of action verbs to assist in building more powerful statements.

In no way can this column discuss all of the various scholarships available as high school guidance counselors are a better resource for such information. There are many Indiana 4-H Foundation scholarships awarded each year.

For information about these scholarships and the application process, go to https://extension.purdue.edu/4h/Pages/scholarships.aspx to find requirements and eligibility. These scholarships are due Jan. 25 and 4-H’ers will use their https://v2.4honline.com/ account to submit applications.

There are statewide completive awards for youth in grades 10 through the year following high school. Pay special attention to two new Putnam County focused scholarships.

These include the Louis and Mary Luzar 4-H Scholarship Endowment (Senior Scholarship) of $1,000 for a current Putnam 4-H high school senior. Also, a new Beverly Torr Memorial Scholarship is being set up for a 4-H’er who excelled in the fashion revue or sewing project activity. The Putnam 4-H Junior Leader senior scholarship will also continue in 2021 availability.

The Putnam County 4-H Scholarships administered locally by the Putnam County Community Foundation can be applied for using the Putnam County Community Foundation website www.pcfoundation.org online application process.

The Putnam 4-H scholarships include the Brookshire 4-H Scholarship, the Darrel Thomas 4-H Scholarship, Putnam County 4-H Livestock Scholarship, and the Putnam County General 4-H Scholarship. Like all Putnam County Community Foundation scholarships, these are due Jan. 18 by 5 p.m. These awards are typically between $750 to $1,500 though the Putnam 4-H Council will be meeting in January to determine scholarship values based on earnings.

Check the website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events

Jan. 4 – Extension office reopens following holiday.

Jan. 5 – Winter Walking Group – Fairgrounds – 9-10 a.m.

Jan. 12 – Grow Your Farm Operation, Virtual 8-week program, 6:30-9 p.m., $100, register at https://tinyurl.com/GYFO2021

Jan. 12 – Winter Walking Group – Fairgrounds – 9-10 a.m.

Jan. 13 – Wild Eats: Cooking for Flavor and Safety-Venison – Virtual – 2-3 p.m., register at https://tinyurl.com/wildeatswebinar

Jan. 14 – Succulents: Water-Storing Beauties, Virtual, 2-3 p.m., register at https://tinyurl.com/succulentgardeningputnam

Jan. 18 – 4-H Grows Future Investors Orientation Meeting (sign up https://v2.4honline.com/

Jan. 19 – Winter Walking Group – Fairgrounds – 9-10 a.m.

Jan. 20 – First Steps to Succession Planning, Virtual, 12:30 p.m., pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/WIAWebinar

Jan. 20 – Putnam 4-H Junior Leaders (check email closer to time for details)

Jan. 21 – So You Inherited a Farm, Virtual 2-night program, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $25, register at https://tinyurl.com/inheritedfarm

Jan. 25 – ServSafe Food Managers online exam, 9 a.m.-noon, $65-115, register at https://www.purdue.edu/servsafe/workshops

Jan. 26 – Winter Walking Group – Fairgrounds – 9-10 a.m.

Jan. 28 – Putnam SWCD and Extension Virtual Annual Meeting (contact office for details)