Dr Art Engelhard Scholarship Program

DR. ART ENGELHARD

EXCHANGE STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 4, 2026
NOTE: If you are uploading documents please scroll to the bottom of the page.

The Conquistador Historical Foundation is once again honored to present the Dr. Art Engelhard Student Ambassador Program. This program provides an opportunity for a young person to participate in a cultural exchange environment by sending one student as an ambassador to Barcarrota, our Spanish sister city, for a ninety (90) day visit. The student must be a current resident of Manatee County, Florida, between the ages of 18-24 years old, and should be available between June 1st and September 30th.

This opportunity is open to any male or female, immediate or extended family member of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society, family member of the Sisterhood of the Crown, any former Queen’s Court member, or a De Soto Business Partner affiliate that meet the criteria. In addition, the immediate family of the chosen student must be prepared to host, in their home, a student from Barcarrota, Spain, who will typically arrive at the same time the following year for a reciprocal visit to Bradenton, Florida.

The Hernando de Soto Historical Society’s, Amigos de Barcarrota, is now accepting applications for this ambassadorship. The registration deadline is the end of business day on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

The committee will conduct personal interviews with the applicants and the families of the finalists on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to select a candidate.

Thank you for supporting our mission,

Olé

Todd Hubbard
Chairman, Conquistador Historical Foundation

Laz Gomez
Amigos de Barcarrota

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1. Student applicant may be male or female and must be between 18 to 24 years old.
2. Applicant must exhibit a strong interest in Spanish language and culture. Ability to speak Spanish is preferred but not required.
3. Applicant must possess a valid passport or Visa
4. Applicant’s immediate family must be willing to be the primary host of the Barcarrotta Ambassador for their duration of stay.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
1. To be considered for this scholarship the application must be completed in its entirety with all required documents and information submitted with the application. Any application not received by the designated deadline will not be considered.
2. The application should be typed as neatness and legibility of the application will be taken into consideration when selecting recipient of the scholarship.
3. The student ambassador and their family must attend a social interview session.
4. If chosen, the student ambassador should be fully committed to manage this experience.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
1. Completed application.
2. A letter from an individual, other than the parent, guardian or relative, who can speak as to your commitment to be selected for this scholarship
3. A letter from an individual, other than the parent, guardian or relative, who can speak as to your aptitude in meeting new people, learning about culture and ability to participate in this program as well as to your merit to be selected for this scholarship.
4. Letter from the parent or guardian acknowledging responsibility, that should you be selected as the student ambassador, your family is responsible for being the primary host (housing) the Barcarrota, Spain ambassador for the duration of their stay. This letter should be signed by both you and your parent (guardian).
Download 2024 Application

2026 DR. ART ENGELHARD STUDENT AMBASSADOR APPLICATION

Section 1: Personal Information
Name*
Phone*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Mobile*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email*
Address*

Street Address Line 2

State / Province
Birth Date

MonthDayYear
YesNo

Section 2: Parent or Gardian Information
Parent 1 Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent 1 Phone*
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent 1 Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parent 2 Name

First NameLast Name
Parent 2 Phone
Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent 2 Address (if different)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Section 3: Valuable Ambassador Short Essay
This is a cultural and social exchange program with Barcarrota, Spain, so please attach a short essay in your own words explaining the following:
Why you feel you would make a valuable ambassador from Manatee County, Florida?

Section 4: Community Contribution Short Essay
This is the 85th year of the Hernando de Soto Historical Society and the Conquistador Historical Foundation, please attach a short essay and explain:
How these two non-profit organizations have contributed to the betterment of our community and the residents of Manatee County over these past years.

Section 5: Accomplishment Short Essay
In 150 words or less explain
What you would hope to accomplish as the Student Ambassador to Barcarrota, Spain?

Section 6: Additional Information
Is there any other information that we should know about you?
This is your opportunity to include information that is not contained in other areas of the application. Please be specific.

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DR. ART ENGELHARD

Section 2: Parent or Gardian Information