Texas Democratic Women
of Rural North Texas
Memorial Academic Scholarships for Women
Scholarships Announcement 2022
Texas Democratic Women of Rural North Texas
Two-$1000 Scholarships Awarded Annually
The Tracy A. Smith Memorial Academic Scholarship was established to honor our past president. Tracy was very active in the Democratic Party and held many different offices including Wise County Democratic Chairman. She was an advocate for advancement of women and minorities in the community. She worked tirelessly to help others and to share her expert knowledge about democratic processes.
The Lucille W. Drain Memorial Academic Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of this strong, independent woman. She was a dedicated Democrat who served over thirty- five years on the Newark City Council with much of her term in office spent as Mayor Pro Tem. Lucille was a lifetime advocate for education for women and her many years of public service left a meaningful impact on her beloved community.
Qualifications for the Memorial Academic Scholarships
• A woman who is a permanent resident of a rural county in North Texas
• Will attend an accredited college, university or trade school
• Must have a grade point average of 2.5 or above
• Demonstrates financial need
• Is able to travel for interview if a finalist
Applicants must submit the following materials by April 1, 2022 to the
Texas Democratic Women of Rural North Texas
P. O. Box 695, Decatur, Texas 76234
• Completed Application
• 500-word essay ,typed
• Two letters of recommendation including one from a School Counselor or Principal that also verifies GPA and one from a teacher, clergyman, business person/business owner or other professional such as an attorney or physician.
Evaluation Criteria
• Financial need and recommendations – 50%
• Scholastic record – 20%
• Essay – 15%
• Interview – 15%
Academic Scholarships for Women
Application
Scholarship Amounts: $1,000.00 Lucille W. Drain Memorial Scholarship
$1,000.00 Tracy A. Smith Memorial Scholarship
Please PRINT your information on the lines provided.
Personal Background
_____________________________________________ _______________________
(applicant’s full name) (date of birth)
(physical address; no post office box numbers, please)
________________________ ___________________
(town) (zip code)
___________________ ___________________
(home phone no.) (cell phone no.—applicant’s or parent’s)
(email address—applicant’s or parent’s)
__________________________________________ __________________________
(parent or guardian’s full name) (daytime phone no.)
Academic Background
_______________________________ _____________________________
(expected date of graduation) (name of school/institution)
________ __________
(cumulative G.P.A. as of today’s date)(Signature of Counselor or Principal)
Applicant plans to attend or is attending:
_____accredited two-year college
_____accredited four-year college/university
_____accredited trade school
_____not yet decided
**The Texas Democratic Women of Rural North Texas will award the two scholarships only to women who attend one of the above.
Financial Disclosure
$____________________ $____________________
(combined monthly net income of cohabiting parents) OR (monthly net income of custodial parent)
$____________________
(tuition assistance from other sources including assistance from non-custodial parent)
Letters of Recommendation
Please attach to this application TWO letters of recommendation, one from your school counselor or principal and the other from a clergy person, business person/business owner, or other professional such as an attorney or physician.
Essay
"When Benjamin Franklin was asked after a session of the Constitutional Convention what kind of government the farmers had given the American people, he replied, " A democracy, if you can keep it." Our Republic is founded on the principle that it will continue only as long as the people keep democracy alive."
------- Thomas A Watson
Forbes magazine
Write a 500 word essay in which you describe in some detail what activities, behaviors and attitudes America must engage in to preserve democracy for today and the future. Please elaborate on how the activities and attitudes are linked to preserving democracy (cause and effect)
NOTE: This year we are asking applicants to type their essays for improved legibility.
Use a book print-style font, size 10 or 12.
Please send by U.S. mail your completed application, two letters of recommendation, and essay to:
Texas Democratic Women of
Rural North Texas
P. O. Box 695
Decatur, TX 76234
Attn: Scholarship Committee
Please include your name on all attachments.
Deadline for consideration is Saturday, April 1, 2022.