National Driving and Traffic School is proud to announce their 2018 scholarship opportunity, entitled “Youth Forward.” The company is seeking applicants for six $500 scholarships rewarding a deserving youth – either enrolled as a High School Sophomore, Junior, or Senior or as a College Freshman – on the topic of volunteerism and youth.
YOUTH FORWARD SCHOLARSHIP 2018
Volunteerism is increasingly important in American society. Indeed, most of today’s High Schools require some type of volunteer work in order to graduate. Colleges and universities as well seek to encourage students to “give back” to their communities.
This scholarship seeks to reward a few deserving youth for his or her commitment to the spirit of volunteerism. The application is handled in essay format. To apply, submit an essay of less than 500 words in Microsoft Word format addressing the following questions:
This is an annual scholarship program.
QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN YOUR ESSAY / APPLICATION:
- What is the area in which you have chosen to volunteer (e.g., homelessness, anti-drunk driving, youth art programs, etc.).? Why did you choose it?
- How many hours per year / week / month have you volunteered?
- What are / were your responsibilities as a volunteer?
- What has been your biggest challenge as a volunteer?
- What has giving you the most satisfaction as a volunteer?
- What have you learned from your volunteer position?
How are your interests and career goals in alignment with that volunteer focus, or perhaps not?
- Looking towards the future, how do you see your activities as “forward looking?” What does “forward looking” mean to you?
- What change do you seek to foster in the world via your volunteer activities?
- If you were to come back in ten, twenty, or even thirty, years do you think your volunteer activities would have “made a difference?” How so?
BROWSE SUBMITTED ESSAYS BELOW:
By “sharing” an essay on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and/or Google+), you are casting a “vote” that that essay should win.
2 prizes will be awarded for each of the three essay submission contests. One for the most votes and the other as our staff favorite.
by Brady Coulthard

After attending the FFA Washington Leadership Conference, I was inspired to do a community service project in my hometown. There is only 1 book for every 300 children in low-income areas. I wanted to change that. I was able to collect 2,400 books for children of low-income families in Neillsville, Loyal, and inner-city Milwaukee.
by Shaeloren Deering

During my first year at Spelman College, I was provided with the opportunity to mentor and tutor elementary school students from the West End community in Atlanta, Georgia. I went into this experience expecting to educate and teach community youth. I never expected for the youth to teach me.
by Hannah Moffitt

In my essay I talk about how volunteering at the elementary school level has affected me and what I have learned from my experience.
by Tyler Lewis

Volunteering at Camp Jenny as a way to help break the cycle of poverty for inner city Atlanta kids every Memorial Day weekend.
by Jade E. Williams

I love helping people become successful, seeing them smile and making them happy, knowing that helping others be the best they can be and knowing I made a difference makes me happy and keeps me going every day.
by Olivia Ozark

This essay describes my experience donating eyeglasses to those in need. It goes into depth about my love for volunteering and helping others.
by Jordyn Whitson

This essay touches on my most valuable community service experience-- OP Camp.
by Carly Berkeland

At eighteen years old, I finished high school a semester early and moved to Guatemala for three months to volunterily teach English as a second language full time.
by Lucy Murrow

I love to help others. I have artistic skills I hope to enhance in college. Those skills will not only allow me to have a career doing what I love, but also give me more opportunities to help people in need.
by Lydia M Joyner

I volunteer as a teacher's assistant in jazz and tap classes at my childhood dance studio, Dance World. Over the last 4 years, I have had the opportunity to meet and collaborate with over 40 young girls, discovering the differing paces at which they learn, and how that knowledge can be applied to my growth as a cooperative human being.
by Shelby Nadine Slemmer

This is my story of my past volunteering and one of my favorite service projects, a clothing drive for Puerto Rican Refugees after Hurricane Maria, which will stick with me forever. Thank you for reading!
by Malik Caleb Grant

My volunteer experience through LearnServe Student Travel Abroad
by Preston ALbury

Please enjoy my essay and learn why I love my volunteer work at the Davie Police Athletic League so much.
by Sienna Torney

I volunteered in the Dominican Republic for 3 weeks during the summer of 2017 as a children's education advocate.
by Camryn Clune

I believe that our talents are given to us from God and should be used to make a difference in the world. Since I was eight years old, I have been using performing arts as a platform to raise money for families affected by pediatric cancer.
by Jaylynn Lyons

Working with people who have disabilities through equestrian riding is inspiring and brings utmost happiness to my life. Treat everyone with kindness, regardless of your differences.
by Janelle Wagner

A reflection on volunteering at a hospital.
by Sabrina Heizenrader

Teaching Natural Wonders to the Next Generation describes my time as a Student Leader at Outdoor Science School.
by Trace Bails

How volunteering has changed me and those I serve.
by Carson Monks

This essay showcases the unparalleled impact that the Boy Scouts of America has had on my ability to serve my community.
by Rache Scimeca

This essays explains my dedication of the health of community as a volunteer EMT. In my town, I ride on the ambulance and respond to calls on average, 16 hours a week. I have been involved in this spectrum of my community since May 2016. This experience as taught me the benefits of better one's self while also benefitting present and future generations.
by Natalie Paxton

I wrote about my experience living in a rural Paraguayan community for 8 weeks and facilitating a community development project while there.
by Jocelyn Chen

My musical volunteering and performing experiences with chamber music.
by Renee Curtis

How organizing an Art Show for the Center for Children helped me gain closure for my past and helped me become a part of something bigger than myself.
by Zeeta Ezebuogo

Feeding the homeless and less privileged as a volunteer at North Texas Food Bank
by Zhenbang Yu

In my essay, I focus on teaching children with limited access to education at the hospital
by Sequoyah Shirley Vasquez Hilton

My essay follows my first habitual volunteering program, which provided low-income children the chance to play an organized sport.
by Addison Provost

I put together a benefit concert for those affected by last years hurricanes. I wanted so badly to help those affected and in my efforts I ended up helping someone that I didn't even knew needed help.
PREVIOUS CONTESTS:
Winter 2017 submissions
Winter 2017 Winners
Summer 2017 submissions
Summer 2017 winners
Spring 2017 submissions
Spring 2017 winners
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must be currently enrolled in either High School, University or College as a full-time student (2018-2019 school year).
Employees and relatives of National Driving and Traffic School are ineligible.
There will be three contest submission dates. To be eligible for the contest submit your essay by one the submission dates.
1. Round 1 April 1st: application deadline; winners announced 4/30/18
2. Round 2 August 1st: application deadline; winner announced 8/31/18
3. Round 3 December 1st: application deadline; winners announced 12/31/18
Along with your submission please include a picture of yourself which we can post on our site to go along with your essay
The winner will be required to provide proof of successful acceptance to a Higher Institute of Learning, College or University. Payment will be made directly to the applicant’s college. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
The current round of scholarship contest is now closed. Stay tuned for the next round.