SCHOLARSHIPS
ROPE AWARD
(Reaching for One’s Potential for Excellence)
Students who have met the challenge of becoming college ready are eligible to apply for the ROPE Award. This award is open to any high school senior.
ROPE Award recipients are selected by a committee of teachers, counselors and administrators from each school. Students who receive the ROPE Award will receive up to $8,000 for up to four years of college and are eligible to apply for the Ron Paris Mass Communication Award and the Charles Z. Flack Community Leadership Award.
RON PARIS
MASS COMMUNICATION AWARD
The Ron Paris Mass Communication Award was created in 2008 in memory of Mr. Ron Paris, founder of The Daily Courier and founding member of the Board of Trustees for The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. This award is given to one senior at each high school who shows an aptitude in the area of mass communication. The recipients of the award will receive up to $8,000 for up to four years of college
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To qualify applicants must:
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Must be a ROPE award recipient
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Must have an artifact that demonstrates their aptitude in the area of mass communications
CHARLES Z. FLACK JR.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Charles Z. Flack Jr. Community Leadership Award was created in 2010 in memory of Mr. Charles Z. Flack Jr., a businessman and community leader who was a founding member of the Board of Trustees for The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. This award is given to a senior at each high school who has demonstrated leadership, community service, organizational skills, and vision in his or her own school and community. The recipients of the award will receive up to $8,000 for up to four years of college.
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To qualify applicants must:
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Must be a ROPE award recipient
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Must complete the application and essay
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Have 1 recommendation from a person familiar with a student’s leadership activities
Robert C. McNair
Memorial Scholarship
The Robert C. McNair Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 in memory of Bob McNair and in celebration of 30 years of his commitment to increasing postsecondary education for students of Rutherford County. McNair, despite his humble beginnings, took advantage of opportunities presented to him and refused to let obstacles/failures hold him back. Despite his success, he remained humble and committed much of his wealth to help others find success.​
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This scholarship will be awarded annually to a ROPE Award recipient at each high school who embodies the characteristics that Bob McNair exhibited and valued in others. Recipients of this scholarship are selected by the Teacher Advisory Council from each high school.
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JIM SONGSTER MASTERY AWARD
Jim Songster was the first Executive Director of The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation at East Rutherford High School and he remained in this position until June 1996. One of the earliest programs Mr. Songster started was the JumpStart program. In his memory, students who graduate from the JumpStart program can earn up to $500 by meeting the following criteria:
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Achieve a 2.5 GPA and graduate in 4 years
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Participate in one extracurricular activity
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Attend one college visit
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Earn acceptance to at least one postsecondary institution
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Complete a minimum of 32 documented service hours
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