A scholarship will be awarded to a student graduating from any Rowan-Salisbury School System high school who is or has been enrolled in a Communities in Schools Rowan school site for at least one school year during their school career.

Communities in Schools of Rowan County school sites include Hanford Dole, Koontz, North Rowan and Overton elementary schools and Knox and North Rowan middle schools.

Graduating seniors who attended North and South Rowan high schools prior to the 2014-15 school year are eligible, as well as those who attended Granite Quarry Elementary prior to the 2006-07 school year. Graduating seniors who attended Isenberg Elementary are not eligible for the scholarship, since its first year with a Communities in Schools program was 2015.

The recipient will demonstrate how the mission of Communities in Schools, “to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life” helped them to reach graduation day.

At least one $500 scholarship will be awarded to a 2015 graduate. A committee will receive applications and choose a scholarship winner based on their application; eligibility to graduate in good standing from a Rowan-Salisbury high school during the 2014-15 school year; an essay of 500 words on “How Communities in Schools helped me succeed in school”; three personal references, including a teacher from whom the student has taken at least one class; description of extra-curricular activities and community service; personal statement of financial need and an interview with the scholarship committee.

Applications are due June 1 and can be downloaded from www.rowan.communitiesinschools.org, or requested from a high school guidance counselor. The scholarship will be awarded no later than July 1.

Applications, letters of recommendation, essay, high school transcript and college acceptance letter (if received) should be submitted to CIS of Rowan County, Attention: Scholarship Committee, 204 E. Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144.