Dorothy James Scholarship for Seniors

Dorothy James Scholarship for Seniors
ABOUT MEDIA FELLOWSHIP HOUSE

Media Fellowship House was founded in 1944 by four women of different races who wanted to promote fellowship and understanding by creating a space for a diverse community to come together. Media Fellowship House has continued the work of our founders' mission for 80 years by creating programs, organizing coalitions, and facilitating conversations that promote diversity and understanding. To learn more, visit: www.mediafellowshiphouse.org

ABOUT THE AWARD

Named in honor of a founding member of Media Fellowship House, this scholarship opportunity for high school juniors encourages self-reflection and challenges students to consider the importance of speaking out and taking action against injustice in order to build a stronger community. These are the core principles that Media Fellowship House was built upon in 1944 and the values we strive to instill in our youth today. Three high school seniors will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship to support with application fees related to their post-secondary planning.

Application Process
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: February 28, 2026

Thank you for your interest in our annual scholarship program. To be considered for this award, please submit a short essay or creative project by the deadline of February 28th, 2026. A list of choice prompts and directions on the submission process are listed on the next page.

Please choose ONE of the following prompts and respond with either:
- A 1–2 page written essay,
- A recorded video or audio response (no longer than 5 minutes), or
- A visual project (artwork, photo series, or digital media).
If you choose a video, audio, or visual response, please also include a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining your project and how it connects to the prompt.

Formats accepted:

For Short Essay Options:
- Length: 1-2 pages
- Line Spacing: 1.5 spacing
- Font Size: 11pt
- File Types accepted as attachments by email: .doc, .docx, or .pdf
For Creative Video Projects:
- Video Project Length: 3-5 minutes
- File Types accepted as attachments by email: MP4, .mov, or link to youtube post (or similar)
For Creative Visual Projects:
- 1-2 pages or up to 3 image designs
- File Types accepted as attachments by email: .pdf, .jpg or .png
Decision Process: Submissions will be reviewed based on:
- Authenticity of voice and reflection
- Creativity and originality of ideas
- Clarity, organization, and focus
The top three, scoring highest, will be selected to receive a scholarship. Awards will be announced by April 15 and all scholarship recipients will be recognized at our Annual Award Ceremony held in May 2026.

GUIDANCE ON USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (A.I.)
ASSESSMENT & AUTHENTICITY

We want to hear your voice—your ideas, your experiences, and your reflections. A.I. tools may be helpful for organizing thoughts or proofreading, but your submission should represent your own original thinking and creativity. Trust in your abilities and share from your perspective.

If you are selected as a finalist, our committee looks forward to connecting with you to discuss your submission and learn more about your inspiration and process.

If you used A.I. in any way (for brainstorming, editing, or research), we will ask you to include a brief note (2–3 sentences) explaining how you used it and how the final submission reflects your own ideas.

SCHOLARSHIP PROMPTS
Please choose ONE of the following prompts and respond with either:
- A 1–2 page written essay,
- A recorded video or audio response (no longer than 5 minutes), or
- A visual project (artwork, photo series, or digital media).
If you choose a video, audio, or visual response, you will be asked include a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) explaining your project and how it connects to the prompt.
PROMPTS

OPTION 1: Leadership in Justice
Reflect on a time when you were inspired by someone who spoke out and took action against injustice.
- What injustice did you witness?
- What leadership qualities stood out to you?
- How did this inspire you to speak out or take action on issues that matter to you?
OPTION 2: Building Bridges in a Divided World
In today’s society, differences of opinion often lead to conflict and misunderstanding.
- What initiative or action would you propose to foster understanding and inspire positive change?
- How would this approach encourage people to collaborate and value diverse perspectives?
OPTION 3: Addressing Inequality
Identify one form of inequality you’ve observed in your school or community.
- What recommendation would you give to teachers, administrators, or peers to address this issue?
- How would your suggestions help marginalized groups feel more included, celebrated, and understood?
OPTION 4: Letter Across Generations
Write a letter to a family member from a different generation who may not fully understand the way you view the world and the social issues important to you today.
- Identify a specific issue or topic to address.
- What would you say to encourage understanding and compassion?
- What questions would you ask to gain a deeper appreciation of their perspective?
- How could this conversation foster mutual respect and connection?
Ready to get started?

After gathering some basic contact information, you will have a chance to share about your future education goals, and review the essay and project options again, before submitting your application.

1. Contact Information

We collect basic information so that we can stay in touch with you throughout the application process. We promise not to share this with anyone outside of our organization.
Please tell us a little more about yourself here:
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Please share a personal email address rather than a school email address, as these often bounce back.
E-mail*
Preferred Pronouns*

she/herhe/himthey/themOther
Are you a Delaware County High School Senior?

YesNo
Current High School*
Your Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Phone Number*
Provide a phone number where we can reach you.
What is the best way to reach you?*

TextPhone CallE-mail

2. Parent/Guardian Contact Information

We collect basic information so that we can stay in touch with you and your household throughout the application process. We promise not to share this information with anyone outside of our organization!
Please tell us a little more about your parent/guardian here:
Parent/Guardian Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian E-mail
Is parent/guardian address same as the address you provided in this application?*

YesNo
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip CodeCountry
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*
Provide a phone number where a parent/guardian can be reached if we are unable to reach you.
What is the best way to reach your parent/guardian?*

TextPhone CallE-mail

3. Future Goals

Please share with us a little about your future education and career goals!
What program, major, or trade you are interested in studying after high school?*
Please tell us about your involvement in community service, clubs/activities during your high school years. This is your opportunity to tell us about what you have enjoyed most and it's ok to brag a little!*
In 2-3 sentences, let us know how this scholarship can help you achieve your post-secondary goals.*

Dorothy James Scholarship for Seniors

Application Process

GUIDANCE ON USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (A.I.)

SCHOLARSHIP PROMPTS

PROMPTS

Ready to get started?

1. Contact Information

2. Parent/Guardian Contact Information

3. Future Goals

4. PROMPTS

SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 28, 2026.

Permission