Scholarship program

THE MADERA CANYON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

Chuck Lobeck, Chair, Scholarship Committee

Meet the 2007 Scholarship Recipient, RaeAnn Redford

 

The Board of Directors of the Friends of Madera Canyon has inaugurated a new effort to strengthen its educational program. A scholarship program for graduating seniors in the high schools of the Santa Cruz River Valley (Sahuarita High School, Rio Rico High School, Patagonia High School, and Nogales High School) will first be offered in spring 2007. The purpose of the new program is to attract young people into careers related to ecology and natural history of Madera Canyon and Southwestern Arizona .

 

At the end of the senior year of high school, a $1,000 prize will be offered to a qualified student who elects to pursue further study in a subject(s) of natural science as broadly defined by a relationship to nature as it is exemplified in Madera Canyon. A choice of career in any closely related discipline will qualify the student. Archeology, Anthropology, Geology, Ornithology, Botany, Ecology, etc. are examples. A course of study in History or even Art and Journalism will be considered if it is related to the canyon or mission of the Friends. The purpose of allowing this diverse selection is to attract the best students who have a sincere desire to continue a career in natural ecology of the Southwest basin and range country and its "sky islands."

 

When the prize is awarded, the student automatically is qualified to renew the $1,000 stipend each year for up to four years of higher education. Renewal will be dependant upon performance, the sincerity of career goals, and continuation in a relevant field of study.

 

The Friends will establish a Scholarship Committee that will review applications and interview qualified students whose applications are submitted by March 1, 2007. The success of the program is most dependent upon the quality and number of applicants.

 

Our fourth grade Nature Walk program is very successful and we hope that as these students grow they will become interested in careers that can range from Forest Service or National Park positions to scholars in any aspect of natural history. During their scholarship years, students will be invited to participate in the meetings of the Friends and their activities in the Canyon. This could range from summer internships to committee memberships.

 

If you have comments or suggestions, please write to Chuck Lobeck at: cclobeck@cox.net or call him at: 399-9218.

We encourage contributions to the Scholarship Endowment Fund. Please make your check to: Friends of Madera Canyon and write "Scholarship Fund" on the memo line. Send your check to: Friends of Madera Canyon, P.O. Box 1203 , Green Valley , AZ 85614-1203 . Thank you very much!

Return to Education Page

Return to Home Page