Nominations open for Sampaguita USA college scholarships

Girls just wanna have fun: Lily Jane Raz, Miss Sampaguita U.S.A. 2015, goofing off with the 2016 scholarship competition participants at the 2016 Sampaguita Ball. From left, Trixie Cortes, Denison University; Nicole Reyes, Dominican University (Miss Sampaguita U.S.A. 2016); Alpha Sadcopen, College of DuPage; Katrina Favis, University of Illinois at Chicago; Jennine Lomibao, Loyola University. CHAZIEL PATRON

NORTHBROOK, Illinois — The Sampaguita Ball will award collegiate women of Filipino heritage with partial educational funding to support higher education, personal achievement and Filipino American culture.

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on Written Essay scores (50%); and Presentation of Essay scores (50%) at The Sampaguita Ball on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the Northbrook, Illinois Hilton, when the 2017 scholars will be announced.

Eligibility

Any single woman of Filipino heritage, born female, never married and has never given birth to any children, is eligible to participate in the Miss Sampaguita U.S.A. 2017 scholarship competition.

She must currently be matriculated, full or part time and in good standing, at an accredited U.S. college or university, as an undergraduate or post‐graduate student.

Awards

• Miss Sampaguita U.S.A. 2017 | $2,000.00 college scholarship
• 1st Runner‐Up | $500.00 college scholarship
• 2nd Runner‐Up | $300.00 college scholarship
• 3rd Runner-Up | $200.00 college scholarship

Requirements

• She must be nominated by a group, club, or organization, which shall serve as her base of support. Organizations can be school-based (sorority, fraternity, chess club, band, Filipino club, etc.) or community-based (non-profits, organizations, dance groups, etc.);
• She must provide valid proof of matriculation in a U.S. college or university (student ID);
• She must submit a self-written essay of no more than 300 words on a given topic;
• She must be present at the Sampaguita Ball on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at the Northbrook Hilton. 

Judging

Winning scholars will be selected on a point system based on the strength of her Written Essay (50 points); and Presentation of Essay (50 points) at the Sampaguita Ball. Details below.

1. ESSAY (50% of total score)

Judged on the following criteria:

• Comprehension (1‐25 points) How well does the essay reflect a thorough understanding of the essay topic issue?
• Organization | Writing | Grammar (1‐25 points) Does the argument follow a logical and easily understood progression? Is the essay written well?

Essay Topic: 300-word Essay (Due before June 1, 2017)

The Sampaguita Group was founded on a mission to reverse the trend of Educational Downward Mobility among second-generation Filipino Americans. Tell us why it’s important for women to finish college and what actions you would take, at school and within your social circles, to help reverse the trend of Educational Downward Mobility?”

1. PRESENTATION OF ESSAY (50% of total score)

Juged at the Sampaguita Ball, on Saturday, July 29, 2017, on the following criteria:

• Reading (1-25 points) How compelling is the participant in presenting her essay/argument to the public? Did she answer the essay question?
• Self-Confidence | Personality | Poise (1-25 points) Would the participant be an ideal collegiate spokesperson for The Sampaguita Group? Does she possess a thorough understanding of the issue of Educational Downward Mobility and the confidence to help further our goal of spreading awareness about the issue?
• Reading (1-25 points) How compelling is the participant in presenting her essay/argument to the public? Did she answer the essay question?
• Self-Confidence | Personality | Poise (1-25 points) Would the participant be an ideal collegiate spokesperson for The Sampaguita Group? Does she possess a thorough understanding of the issue of Educational Downward Mobility and the confidence to help further our goal of spreading awareness about the issue?