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Nancy Fike Scholarship

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The McHenry County Historical Society has established an annual $1,000 college scholarship to honor its former administrator, Nancy Fike.

For more than 40 years, Fike demonstrated her love for McHenry County and its history. Her attention to education and historic accuracy can be observed in the programs, museum, research library, and buildings now owned and maintained by the Society.

The Nancy Fike Scholarship is open to graduating seniors AND (new) first-year college students who have graduated from a McHenry County high school and who are, or plan on, studying history, education or the social sciences. Children and grandchildren of MCHS Board members and staff are not eligible. The financial award will be given on behalf of the student to his or her chosen college or university.

Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, show proof of community service and write a minimum 500 word essay pertaining to McHenry County. Essay topics will be announced each year by the Society.

Scholarship Rubric
(Total Maximum Score: 100 points)

I.    Overall Content/Appearance of Essay (20 points)
        Topic presented with interest and thoroughness
II.   Evidence of Personal Research (20 points)
        Clear/well written. Bibliography, citations, footnotes
III.  Originality of Essay (20 points)
         Evidence of fresh new approach to the topic
IV.   Grammatical Construction of Essay (10 points)
          Sentence structure, punctuation and spelling
V.     Community Involvement/Service (10 points)
VI.    Leadership Responsibilities (10 points)
VII.  Volunteer Work (5 points)
VIII. Work Experience (5 points)

This year's topic is:

2024 is a Presidential election year and we are certain to hear further criticism of the Electoral College. Explain how the Electoral College system of voting works and why the Founding Fathers incorporated it into the Constitution. What “problems” have arisen with it in previous elections? Why is it so criticized today and what alternatives to it are proposed? Be sure to state your opinion on this issue. PLEASE CITE YOUR SOURCES.

 

Submit your documents online, or download this PDF and mail your documents.

Click to view Slideshow: 

Checklist and Application

INSTRUCTIONS:
The application packet must be complete and arranged in the order listed below. All original transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other required documents must be received by MCHS by April 5 in a single package. The application package must be stapled or paper clipped in the top left hand corner. Incomplete or nonconforming applications will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY:
The Nancy Fike Scholarship is open to graduating seniors attending any McHenry County high school who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and who plan on studying history, education or the social sciences. Children and grandchildren of MCHS Board members and staff are not eligible.

CHECKLIST:

[ ] Scholarship application

[ ] Essay of at least 500 words – Topic for 2024:

2024 is a Presidential election year and we are certain to hear further criticism of the Electoral College. Explain how the Electoral College system of voting works and why the Founding Fathers incorporated it into the Constitution. What “problems” have arisen with it in previous elections? Why is it so criticized today and what alternatives to it are proposed? Be sure to state your opinion on this issue. PLEASE CITE YOUR SOURCES.

 

[ ] Original high school transcript

[ ] Letters of recommendation (at least two, one from a faculty member or administrator at the applicant’s school, and another from a community representative)

[ ] Documentation of community service and involvement

[ ] List of extra-curricular activities, honors received and scholastic achievements

 

AWARD PROCEDURES:

Applicants will be notified of the Society’s decision. The decision regarding the award is conditional until the applicant meets all the following requirements: The applicant must be accepted to a college or university by May 1, and notify MCHS where he or she will attend, as MCHS will pay the scholarship funds directly to the school on behalf of the scholarship winner. All applicants consent to the use of their name, image and story for MCHS press releases, presentations and other materials. All applicants further agree, should they be selected as the winner, to attend one MCHS board meeting for a presentation ceremony as well as to invite a MCHS representative for a presentation at their high school’s honors event. If the conditional scholarship winner does not fulfill the above requirements, MCHS reserves the right to award it to another worthy applicant.

APPLY ONLINE
PDF of Essay only. 2MB file limit
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf zip.
PDF of Letters only, 2MB file limit
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf zip.
PDF only of Community Service or involvement. 2 MB file limit
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf zip.
PDF only of extra-curricular activities/ honors 2 MB limit
Files must be less than 2 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf zip.

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