THE SYLVIA RICKS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Optimist Club of the Westbank recognizes that education is the key to a better way of life for our children, and no one with our Optimist Club understood that better than our long time member Sylvia Ricks. Mrs. Ricks worked tirelessly for the children of the Westbank. Her strong conviction for service and her belief in education is the reason we named our scholarship in her honor. The Sylvia Ricks Scholarship Award is given to a Westbank student whose services to the community and academic achievements are best aligned with their future goals.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Sylvia Ricks Scholarship (SRS) awards are a one-time scholarship given to recipients attending a traditional four-year Louisiana College or University program. SRS recipients are enrolled in the Young Adult Optimist Club (YAOC) for a one-year membership with the option to continue as a paying YAOC member.
CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for a Sylvia Ricks Scholarship, a student must satisfy the following minimum requirements.
· Candidate must reside on the Westbank of Jefferson, Plaquemines, or Orleans (Algiers) parishes.
· Candidate must have a cumulative high school Grade Point Average of 2.5 or greater based on a 4.0 academic scale.
· Candidate must have a minimum 20 ACT score.
· Candidate must have one letter of recommendation from an educator or non-relative.
· Candidate must have participated in extracurricular and community service activities and/or have work experience.
· Candidate must submit an original essay on the topic specified on next page. Essay will be a minimum of 200 words, typed on a separate sheet or via website form.
· Complete application must be submitted to: Optimist Club of the Westbank via electronic submission on our website, or email to kajunlady23@yahoo.com or USPS postmarked
on or before Last Day of February– NO EXCEPTIONS
*NOTE: The student must attend a Louisiana college or university.