2009 Scholarship Announcement

 

 

 

The National Organization of Professional Hispanic Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPHNRCSE) provides scholarships to deserving Hispanic students that wish to pursue or are pursuing a Bachelors degree in a natural resources or a natural resources conservation-related field of study at an accredited four-year institution.

 

At least four scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to graduating high school students accepted to an accredited college or university or registered students in their first through third years in an accredited college or university.

 

Additionally there will be three specific scholarships that will be awarded: The Martha Guerra-Arteaga Scholarship will be awarded to one female student majoring in public affairs, communications or a natural resources conservation-related field of study; The Coronado-Remides Scholarship will be awarded to an individual that is from the Southwest majoring in the Natural Resources related field and; The Ray T. Margo Scholarship which will be awarded to an individual that is majoring in Range Management and is an Upperclassman. 

 

Following are the application form for 2009 and guidelines for completing and submitting the application.  The applicant must apply annually.  Due date for consideration is February 27th 2009. 

 

Lastly, there will be 5 additional TRAVEL ONLY scholarships awarded to students to attend the annual conference.  This is an excellent opportunity to network and build relationships with NRCS employees in different states and work areas. 

 

For More Information:

 

Web Site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/hispanic/

Email:  gilbert.guerrero@ok.usda.gov

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL HISPANIC

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE EMPLOYEES

 

2009 Scholarship Application

 

The National Organization of Professional Hispanic Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPHNRCSE) provides scholarships to deserving Hispanic students that wish to pursue or are pursuing a Bachelors degree in a natural resources or a natural resources conservation related field of study at an accredited four-year institution.  Please complete this application (print legibly) and submit it with all of the items requested to:

 

      Gilbert Guerrero

      NOPHNRCSE Scholarship and Endowment Fund Committee

      709 N. Stoney Creek

      Stillwater, OK, 74075

 

Complete application package must be postmarked by February 27, 2009.  Incomplete or late applications will not be evaluated. 

 

Circle one:     Mr.     Mrs.     Miss      Ms.

 

Name:                                 ____________________________________________________

 

Permanent Address:      ____________________________________________________

 

City, State, and Zip:         ____________________________________________________

 

Mailing Address:              ____________________________________________________

 

(If different from above)   ____________________________________________________  

 

Telephone: _________________________ Birth Date (Mo. /Day/Yr.): ________________

 

Birth Place (State and Country): _____________________________________________

 

Email: __________________________________________________________________

 

Name and address of High School or

College you are currently attending: _________________________________________

                                                                      _________________________________________

Overall GPA (on a 4.0 scale): _______________        U.S. Citizenship: ___ Yes ___ No.

Note: Your Scholarship Application will not be processed without proof of U.S. Citizenship. 

 

How did you receive this application? _________________________________________________________________________

Name: __________________________________________________

 

The following items must be submitted along with this signed application form.  Failure to submit a complete 2009 NOPHNRCSE Scholarship Application package will result in you forfeiting any opportunity to be selected for a 2009 NOPHNRCSE Scholarship.

 

The following items constitute a complete 2009 NOPHNRCSE Scholarship Application package:

 

1.                   Submit this completed application with your signature;

2.                   Submit a personal statement of 350 to 500 words in length (double-spaced). Please include information such as personal background, name of school(s) you plan to attend or are attending, personal and career goals, and extra curricular activities. You may also include other information that you feel is important (remember not to exceed 500 words);

 

3.                   Submit a copy of an official or certified high school or college transcript;

 

4.                   Submit two letters of recommendation from a High School teacher(s)/counselor(s) or College professor(s); and

 

5.                   Proof of U.S. citizenship (copy of Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate).

 

6.                   Graduating high school applicants submit a copy of a letter of acceptance from the college you plan to attend.

 

** Note:   Receipt of a NOPHNRCSE Scholarship does not constitute a guarantee of future employment with the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other federal agency. 

 

Certification: I certify that all of the information provided is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.  Purposely providing false information may result in the recall of any scholarship granted or in the forfeiture of any scholarship awarded.

 

I am aware that any scholarship awarded by NOPHNRCSE will be disbursed through my University Financial Aid Office.  If I am selected to receive a NOPHNRCSE Scholarship, I will utilize the NOPHNRCSE award toward expenses related to my college attendance.  Also, I understand that if I receive an award, there is no guarantee of renewal.  I must reapply for a new scholarship each year.

 

I understand that proof of college enrollment will be required if selected and that I must notify my University Financial Aid Office and NOPHNRCSE of any changes to my enrollment status.  I further understand that changes to my enrollment status may result in the cancellation of any award provided. I hereby acknowledge that it is my responsibility to keep my institution’s Financial Aid Office and NOPHNRCSE informed of all address changes.

 

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to submit a complete application package to NOPHNRCSE in compliance with the posted deadline.  Incomplete or late application materials will result in my scholarship application package not being considered for any award.  All application materials become the property of NOPHNRCSE.  I hereby give NOPHNRCSE permission to share this information for the purpose of recruitment, public relations, or possible employment.

 

I hereby certify that I have read the application information and guidelines, as well as this Certification, and that I understand and accept all of the conditions specified.  Failure to sign this Certification will result in my ineligibility for this Scholarship Award.

 

Signature: ________________________________________________       Date: ____________________

National Organization of Professional Hispanic

Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees

Scholarship Program

2009 Information and Guidelines

 

The United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) was first organized in 1933, as the Soil Erosion Service and was later known as the Soil Conservation Service.  In 1994, USDA went through reorganization and the Agency's name became the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  The Agency's purpose has always been, and continues to be, the promotion of the conservation and wise use of our country's natural resources.  USDA-NRCS employees possess backgrounds in a variety of disciplines that include - agronomy, agricultural engineering, animal science, civil engineering, computer science, crops science, hydrology, range science, soil science, wildlife science, and several other disciplines.

 

NRCS accomplishes its conservation goals by drawing upon the various sciences and conservation disciplines to help private landowners conserve their soil, natural resources and water resources.  NRCS employees and private landusers assess the land's capabilities and resources along with the existing conservation problems and opportunities.  NRCS employees then work closely with agricultural producers and landowners to assist them in developing conservation plans and with the implementation of conservation practices while achieving their production goals and objectives.  Through the implementation of conservation practices, the overall quality of life within a watershed and across our country is improved.

 

The National Organization of Professional Hispanic Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPHNRCSE) was established as a Professional Society of Natural Resources Conservation Service employees.  NOPHNRCSE promotes the belief that Hispanics can and should fill an existing, invaluable void in the protection of our country's natural resources and the wise use of our agricultural and recreational private lands.  NOPHNRCSE was created to assist the USDA-NRCS with its delivery of Program Information and Program Benefits to minority and non-minority communities; to showcase the value that Hispanics bring to the USDA-NRCS; to demonstrate the role of Hispanics in a diverse, multi-cultural workforce; and to serve as a strong link between the USDA-NRCS and the Hispanic community.

 

NOPHNRCSE was organized to augment the outreach programs of USDA and NRCS, and to improve and enhance USDA Program Delivery.  Internally, NOPHNRCSE has vowed to assist USDA-NRCS achieve a multicultural workforce and to assist with the recruitment and professional development of quality Natural Resources Conservation Service Hispanic employees.

With this Scholarship Program, NOPHNRCSE achieves one of its founding goals, “to develop and establish a NOPHNRCSE Scholarship & Endowment Fund.”  NOPHNRCSE intends to support Hispanics goals of higher education and to encourage Hispanics to become protectors of our country's natural resources through this Scholarship and Endowment Fund Program.

 

NOPHNRCSE wishes to provide scholarships to deserving Hispanic students who wish to pursue, are currently enrolled in, or are admitted to an accredited four year institution with the intent of earning a Bachelor of Science degree in a natural resources field or a natural resources conservation related field of study. 

 

Candidates selected to receive the 2009 NOPHNRCSE Scholarship will be selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal strengths, demonstrated leadership abilities, and career goals.  NOPHNRCSE will accept Scholarship Applications postmarked by

February 27th 2009.

 

The NOPHNRCSE Scholarship & Endowment Fund Committee will determine the 2009 NOPHNRCSE recipients utilizing an established selection criterion.  Each applicant will be evaluated on the basis of their complete Scholarship Application package that must include the items requested above.  The NOPHNRCSE Scholarship and Endowment Fund Committee is organized and administered by the NOPHNRCSE National Council.  Additional travel scholarships may be awarded to students to attend the annual NOPHNRCSE conference.

 

 

To learn more about NOPHNRCSE or USDA-NRCS please explore our web pages at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/intranet/hispanic/ or http://www.nrcs.udsa.gov, respectively.