Upper Arlington Optimists Exemplary Character Scholarship

“Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

The Upper Arlington Optimists chapter of Optimists International offers a $2,000 scholarship to an Upper Arlington resident of exceptional character. Any UA high school student is eligible. Nominations are accepted year around, but the nomination deadline is March 15 of each year and a scholarship, if one is awarded, will be announced by May 1. Optimists reserve the right to award the scholarship to more than one recipient and to split the scholarship among the recipients. Nomination forms are available from the UA Optimists website and should be returned to Ove Fladberg, UA Optimists, 3047 Wareham Rd, Columbus, Ohio, 43221. Nominators could be contacted by phone by a member of the selection committee.

Selection Criteria:
This scholarship is intended to recognize a student of exceptional character. A person’s character can encompass many attributes. The scholarship criteria and examples stated below are not meant to be an exclusive list. However, this scholarship is not intended to reward academic excellence, athleticism or team leadership that is often rewarded elsewhere. Rather, nominators are encouraged to focus on one or two attributes of the student, or actions of that student, that make this person a unique example to others. Such attributes may include:

Positive attitude

Optimism in the face of a challenge, problem or life circumstance.

Selfless service to another person (Service beyond any school curriculum requirement and beyond that required to achieve a civic organization’s rank or reward).

 Perseverance Courage

Humility with self-confidence

Examples: A student who has overcome a significant obstacle or challenge in his or her life, such as an illness, disability or the death of parent, sibling or a close friend, while maintaining a positive attitude toward life. A person who champions a worthwhile but unpopular cause, or befriends another student who is unpopular with peers. A student who inspires others by his or her example. A person who has selflessly served another individual or organization with humility and no motive of reward.

The attributes and examples above are not exclusive. The nominator is in the best position to describe why a student is an inspiration to others. Please describe the student’s attitudes, attributes and actions that make your nominee exceptional.

"This activity is not sponsored by the Upper Arlington City School District."

UA OPTIMISTS CHARACTER SCHOLARSHIP
Nomination Form
Applications are accepted year-round, but deadline is March 15 of each year

NOMINEE:
Student Name:	 	School:  	

Address:	 	Grade Level:  	

Phone (if known)	 	

NOMINATOR:

Name: 	Relationship to Student:  	

Address:  	

Phone:	 	

On a separate page, please describe what makes this youth exceptional and an example to other youth. Please describe the youth’s character, attributes, attitudes and actions. Attach the page to this nomination form.

Signature: 	Date:  	

Return form to: Ove Fladberg, 3047 Wareham Rd, Columbus OH 43221 "This activity is not sponsored by the Upper Arlington City School District."