NC Symphony to perform for fifth-graders

On March 10, the North Carolina Symphony will make its annual pilgrimage to Salisbury to provide what for many fifth-graders is their very first live classical concert. To accommodate all of the county’s fifth-graders, two concerts will be held in Keppel Auditorium, one at 10 a.m. and the other at 12:30 p.m. The concerts are made possible through the support of The Blanche & Julian Robertson Family Foundation, the Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, and the Rowan-Salisbury School System.

In addition to Rowan-Salisbury Schools fifth-graders, private schools, the Homeschool Association, and schools from neighboring counties plan to send their fifth-graders. By concert time, music teachers will have taught students about the musical compositions and the composers. Selected students will perform on recorders and other instruments, and all the children will sing.

The North Carolina Symphony has one of the most extensive music education programs of any U.S. orchestra, performing over 45 educational concerts a year for students throughout North Carolina. Their music education program was developed in 1945, and since the first concert in the spring of 1946, the North Carolina Symphony has reached more than 3 million school students. The Salisbury Symphony has hosted this program every year since 1972.

An added treat for the North Carolina Symphony musicians in Salisbury is that the Friends of the Symphony (also known as the Symphony Guild) hosts a picnic lunch for them between concerts. This is the only community to do so and reflects the hospitality reputation of Rowan County. Special thanks go to Dr. Martha K. West for donating the cost of the meal.

Scholarship available

Golden LEAF Scholarship information and applications for 2016-17 are now available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf.  A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients for the 2016-17 academic year. The awards are valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year for up to four years) for students attending a qualifying North Carolina campus and are funded by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.  The Golden LEAF Scholarship Program is administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

To be considered for these scholarships, an applicant must:

• be enrolled during the 2015-16 academic year at a North Carolina public or private high school or a North Carolina community college,
• enroll for fall 2016 as a full-time, degree-seeking freshman or transfer from a North Carolina community college at one of the 57 qualifying public universities or private colleges and universities in the state,
• be a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes with a permanent residence  in one of 78 qualifying rural counties,
• demonstrate financial need,
• submit a Golden LEAF Scholarship application, available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf,  a FAFSA  (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) , available at www.fafsa.gov and a current high school or community college transcript no later than March 1.

A complete list of program requirements, participating campuses and qualifying counties can be viewed at CFNC.org/goldenleaf.

Scholarship recipients also may apply for the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program. This program, offered through the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, provides leadership-building seminars, a summer internship and a stipend. Students completing all four years of the leadership program can receive up to $8,830 in stipends in addition to the Golden LEAF Scholarship award. Go to http://goldenleaf.org/files/leadership_program.pdf  for more information about the Golden LEAF Scholars Leadership Program.

The Golden LEAF Scholarship application deadline is March 1.

For more information, contact College Foundation of North Carolina toll-free at 866-866-CFNC.

Communities in Schools scholarship available 

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

CIS of Rowan County school sites eligible for 2016 scholarship award are: Hanford Dole, Koontz, North Rowan Elementary, Overton, Granite Quarry (prior to 2006-2007 school year), Knox and North Rowan Middle Schools, North Rowan High and South Rowan High schools (prior to 2014-2015 school year).

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 reach graduation day.

This scholarship, sponsored by CIS of Rowan County will be awarded to honor Executive Director Vicky Slusser for her many years of service to the students served by CIS

At least one scholarship will be awarded to a 2016 graduate. The amount is yet to be determined and is subject to the support of school and community donors. A minimum of $500 is expected.

A committee will receive and choose a scholarship winner based on:

1. Eligibility to graduate in good standing from an RSS high school during the 2015-2016 school year.

2. An essay of approximately 500 words on “How CIS helped me succeed in school.”

3. Three personal references, one of which must be from a high school teacher from whom the student has taken at least one class.

4. Description of extra-curricular activities and/or community service.

5. Statement of financial need. (no financial aid forms required)

6. An interview with the Scholarship Committee.

Please include your high school transcript and three letters of reference/recommendation. At least one letter must be from a high school teacher.

Submit an application, three letters of recommendation, a personal essay on “How CIS helped me succeed in school,” a high school transcript and a college acceptance letter directly to: CIS of Rowan County Attn: Scholarship committee, 204 East Innes St., Salisbury, NC, 28144.

The application deadline is April 15.

FFA fundraiser

Farm supply retailer Southern States Cooperative will kick off its annual FFA fundraiser on March 1 in an effort to support agricultural education.

The annual “FFA Paper Emblem” campaign benefits the National FFA Organization’s local, state, and national levels to provide funding to the youth organization that prepares students for leadership roles, personal growth and career success in agriculture. The community is encouraged to purchase a $1 “I’m Supporting FFA” paper emblem at their local Southern States to support the cause.

Those who donate can sign their name to the emblem or the name of a child or loved one that they care about. The fundraiser runs through the end of March at participating Southern States Cooperative locations. For more information, visit southernstates.com