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[email protected]

I've discussed this with a few people at Niagara, and need to get the ball rolling.
I would like to start a Scholarship for student AG growers.
My original idea was to help promote the sport and also entice students to grow.
Questions:
Should this be restricted to University or College Students?
Should there be an age limit?
Should the student be enrolled in an Agricultural field?
Should the scolarship be awarded based on weight of the fruit?
Should pumpkins and Squash be all the same class?
I don't want to bombard this with a ton of questions, but more to set guidelines to base the program on.
I would also like to make the awards to coincide with the Niagara Seminar.
So any and all ideas would be greatly appreciated.
I would like this to be an open forum, but if you would like to to it privately, Please email me and any and all info will be kept private.
my intentions would be to start with 2 Schorships of $1000.00 each and 2 at $500.00 each.
If we can raise $2000.00 plus to buy beer with at Niagara, We should be able to start with raising $3000.00 for students that could put the money to greater good, not that the beer isn't bad!!!!!
I'd really like to hear from the Students also.
Thanks
Eddy

7/5/2005 3:18:33 PM

Eugene, OR

Eddy, as a recent college graduate I can honestly say I couldn't have made it through school without the scholarships I received. I'm still a poor student(and may be for a couple more years) but I think your idea is great and you can count me in for a $50 donation.

Here are my thoughts regarding your questions.

No, I believe there are hard working and deserving people in both 2 year community colleges and 4 year universities who could really use the extra help.

No, I've worked closely with students of all ages and the older students were, in many cases, more dedicated and focused on completing their degrees. More often than not the older college students have families to support as well as tuition to pay, books to buy, etc. so I don't think there should be an age limit.

I don't think the student should have to be enrolled in the agricultural field but they should be a pumpkin grower or have an interest in the field of agriculture. There has to be some basic criteria or you'll end up with thousands of people applying for a scholarship that only a few can receive.

I don't think awards should be made based on the weight of the pumpkin/squash grown. Awards should be made based on financial need and academic achievement....not on who spends the most time out in the patch instead of behind a book.

Those are just my thoughts as a college student so take them for what their worth. I think what you're trying to do is great and sign me up for a donation if you get this off the ground.

Brian

7/5/2005 4:07:00 PM

Montoursville, PA

Eddie........my wife and I like your initial idea. To narrow the application range we feel the student should be a son, daughter, or associate, of a grower duly registered within one, of our state, national or international pumpkin organizations.

Has grown as wittnessed, by local growers, at least one pumpkin as an individual. Not grown, by daddy and registered, to the youth's efforts. Personal interview,in some manor should help avoid most difficulty in this area, of possible grief.

We are less excited about the promotional values and more interested, in the professional values to GPC. Need based issues weighted over other scholar activities would please us more, for the other requirements.

Yes you may put me/us, on your supporter list, as this may take form. Suggest that supporters agree to support at any given level, for four years.

Suggest committee set up a campaign...need ___ gifts of $500
____gifts of $250, ___gifts of $100 ___gifts of $50.00. To be on the committee and develop or supervise this fund one must agree to donate one, of the two higher numbers, for four years.

7/5/2005 5:16:24 PM

Ontario, Canada.

Sounds very good to me Eddie..........

Russ L.

7/5/2005 5:30:10 PM

Jaffrey NH

Sounds like a good idea for myself. I am 17 and going to be a senior in high school next year. I hope to go to an agricultural school. Looking at the Nova Scotia agricultural school if anyone has any ideas or info about the school. I hope my grades and athletics will get me some scholarships but there isnt much money in my area for agricultural students. I think th scholarship should be for folks going into or enrolled in schooling that will benefit the agricultural system. The idea is great. I am a year away from going to college so if anyone on bigpumpkins knows any good agricultural schools I am open to info. This is a great idea for any student.

7/5/2005 8:21:04 PM

Rhode Island

EDDY

IM SURE THE GPC AND POSSIBLY MANY LOCALY RUN ORGANIZATIONS WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST IN HELPING OUT

ONCE THE DETAILS ARE WORKED OUT LET ME KNOW AND ILL FORWARD YOUR REQUEST TO MY FELLOW STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR OUR SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GIANT PUMPKIN GROWERS WHEN I SAY WE WILL ALSO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION AT THAT TIME

"A LITTLE BIT STACKED UP IS A LOT "

DICK GPC TREASURER

7/5/2005 10:11:49 PM

Key West, FL

I will be a freshman at MSU next year!

7/5/2005 10:20:13 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Sounds like a great idea Eddy.

Phil

7/6/2005 6:41:24 AM

[email protected]

Great so far, keep the ideas coming
Eddy

7/6/2005 9:17:50 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Great idea Eddy. This would help out some starving students for sure.

Glenn

7/6/2005 12:49:11 PM