2010 Alberta Press Council Scholarship



Sponsored by:

The Alberta Press Council is an independent voluntary body that considers complaints from the public about the conduct and performance of Alberta’s weekly and daily newspapers who are members of the Alberta Press Council and encourages high ethical and professional standards of journalism.

This scholarship was established by the Alberta Press Council to assist a high school student in pursuing post-secondary studies. The scholarship recognizes and rewards exceptional achievement at the grade twelve level based on the applicant’s ability to write a well organized, coherent essay.

2010 Essay Title: "Facing Up To Facebook: How Does The Traditional Newspaper Survive"?

Value:
The Alberta Press Council supports the essay competition with one award for $2000.00 for the winning essay..

Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must
a. either be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
b. have resided in Alberta for at least one year prior to time of application.
c. be currently enrolled in a grade 12 Alberta Education Curriculum

Applicants:
a. can apply if a family member of a member newspaper staff person
b. cannot apply if a relative of a current Press Council member.

The scholarship is awarded based on:
a. confirmation of enrollment full time in any field of study at a Post Secondary degree or diploma program institution - fall, 2010.
b. the applicant agreeing to allow the publishing of their essay on the Alberta Press Council’s website and on newswire services etc.
c. writing a 1000 – 1100 word essay on a pre-determined topic.

Selection Procedure:
a. a committee established by the Alberta Press Council will select the recipient.
b. essays will be judged on creativity, style and content.
c. an anonymous ID number will be assigned to each application upon receipt of six (6) copies for the Alberta Press Council selection committee.
d. the student with the most outstanding essay as determined by the selection committee will receive the scholarship after confirmation of enrollment in a Post Secondary Institution, fall 2010.
e. The name of the award winner will be made public by the Alberta Press Council after their fall general meeting each year.

Application Procedures:
a. the application form and essay must be postmarked no later than February 28, 2010
b. applications postmarked after that date will not be accepted.
c. only the winning essay applicant will be notified by telephone
d. the winning essay will be put on www.albertapresscouncil.ca  in the fall
e. we regret that telephone calls and emails will not be accepted as to the status of any submitted essay.
f. essays must be typed, double spaced, 12 point font, 1000 – 1100 words.
g. it is essential that essays be carefully checked/proof read before submission
h. submit word processed on standard size paper (8 ½ x 11)
i. it is expected that a bibliography and footnotes will be included (see e. below)
j. the first page of the essay should be a title page which includes the exact title of the essay. This page shall be stapled to all copies of your essay (Six (6) copies)
k. A cover page will include the name of the competitor, home address, telephone number, email address and current school attending and must be submitted as a separate page .. One copy only.
This information plus your personal information data must not be attached to the essay pages themselves.

Suggestions in Researching and Writing Your Essay:
a. Read widely on the topic. Get a feel for what the issues are
b. Develop your own perspective. What’s your angle on the topic? Why is this important to you? Try to come up with your own idea or view, as opposed to adopting what someone else is saying.
c. Support the perspective you are taking: give some reasons, evidence, facts, stories, examples, etc. Be convincing
d. Use a clear essay structure with an introduction, a body composed of your main points, and a conclusion
e. Document your sources of information.

Deadline: Postmarked no later than February 28th, 2010.
a. six (6) copies of the essay, the application form and one (1) cover page only are to be sent express post to:

Alberta Press Council, Selection committee
P O Box 2576
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8G8

FAXED APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED



: PRINT A COPY OF OUR CRITERIA ALONG WITH AN APPLICATION FORM :