Alaska High School Students Invited to Apply for Fair Scholarships
Contributed by Melissa Keefe
Apply by March 29 at 4:30 p.m
Palmer, Alaska – “Educate” is a key part of the Alaska State Fair mission, and as part of this focus area, the Fair is pleased to award annual scholarships to Alaska high school students. This year, the Fair will award $8,000 in scholarships. Scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 29, 2023, by 4:30 p.m. AKDT.
The 2023 scholarship awards include:
• $3,000 first-place award
• $2,000 second-place award
• $1500 third-place award
• Three $500 honorable mention awards
Every student who submits a completed application will receive two free admissions to the 2023 Fair, which is scheduled for August 18 – September 4 at the fairgrounds in Palmer.
To apply, students should submit:
• Cover letter including student’s name, address, phone and email, school name and phone, counselor’s name, and the name of the college or vocational school he or she plans to attend
• Extracurricular resume including interests, clubs, community service and/or employment
• One letter of recommendation
• A photo that may be used for publicity purposes
• Written essay (1,000 words or less) or creative project (audio, video, performance or visual arts, business plan, social media campaign, arts and crafts, photography, etc.). Please note that DVDs will not be accepted. Students can submit videos online by uploading to their personal YouTube, Instagram or other video account, then entering the video URL on the submission page.
All other application materials should be submitted to: Alaska State Fair, Attn: Kelly Larson, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645.
The written essay or creative project should address one of the following topics:
• What are the biggest social and economic impacts the Alaska State Fair has contributed to the local economy?
• Alaska is number one in the nation for new farmers. We have the youngest population of farmers and the largest percentage of women involved in agriculture. What can the Fair do to keep this trend growing?
• In light of the Fair’s mission statement, how can the Fair have a greater benefit on your community or in the state of Alaska?
• The Alaska State Fair is always looking for innovative and fun events, activities and contests that are free with Fair admission to fairgoers. Create a new event, activity or contest that has minimal cost for the Fair.
• How would you use a 12-foot by 12-foot booth space at the Fair to start your own business or to sell goods or services?
Please note that ideas submitted become the property of the Alaska State Fair.
Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, March 29, 2023, by 4:30 p.m. AKDT.
Last year, the Fair awarded a total of $7,500 in scholarships to first-place recipient Anna DeVolld, second-place recipient Peter Barela, third-place recipient Mykennan Rinella, and honorable mention recipients Dane Harmon Isabella Kershaw.
For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org or contact Kelly Larson, Fair director of community and corporate relations, at 907.746.7164 or kelly@alaskastatefair.org.