Kentucky Youth Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Kentucky Association of Fairs & Horse Shows

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship Awards:

The scholarship committee seeks to recognize and reward individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to their local county fair. The following criteria must be met by the individual being recommended for the scholarship:

1. The candidate should have actively participated and volunteered in the current year's local county fair. The local fair will have the discretion to select these candidates.
2. The candidate should either be a high school senior or in their first year of post-secondary education, and should not have reached their 21st birthday by October 1st of the application year.
3. The candidate must be a resident of the county where the nominating fair is located.
4. The application should include an essay, penned by the candidate, on the topic: "What opportunities have opened up to you since participating/volunteering with your county fair?" The essay should not exceed 500 words.
5. The application should be accompanied by a one-page letter of recommendation from the local fair board.
6. Each fair can nominate only one candidate.
7. Six winners will be selected from across the state, with two winners from each zone.
8. The winners will be selected by a judging panel formed by the awards committee before the annual meeting.
9. The application deadline is October 1st. Applications should be postmarked to: LuAnn Asbury, 2853 Asbury Rd, Augusta, KY 41002 or emailed to: luasbury@outlook.com. The fair contact will be notified upon receipt of the application. For any queries, please contact LuAnn at (606) 564-0478 or email the above address.
10. The winners will be awarded a $2,000 cash scholarship and a plaque.
11. A candidate can win the scholarship only once.
12. It is recommended that the winners attend the annual business meeting in January to receive their scholarship.

Each county fair (that holds events for at least three days) can nominate one youth for the scholarship. The scholarship committee will select two winners from each zone based on their completed applications. The awards will be presented at the annual meeting of the Kentucky Fair and Horse Show Association (KAFHS) in January. All applicants will be notified by mail of the outcome, with winners being contacted by phone or text.

Please submit your applications as early as possible. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The application must include the following:

• A list of events/classes the candidate participated in at this year's fair.
• A list of responsibilities/duties the candidate has performed from their first year through this year at their county fair.
• An essay describing how the candidate's personal life skills have been enhanced by their involvement in local fair activities. The essay should not exceed 500 words.
• A letter of recommendation from a local fair board member. The letter should not exceed one typed page.

The applicant must confirm that they have not won this scholarship before and that they meet all the above criteria.