Allstate Foundation Virginia High School League Scholarships

Nineteen $1,500 scholarships will be awarded during the school year, honoring one male athlete, one female athlete, and one academic activities participant in each VHSL classification. Plus, one student from any classification overcoming incredible odds to make significant contributions to athletic and academic activities. Only students graduating during the school year will be eligible for the awards.

Each VHSL member school is encouraged to nominate four students, one student per category (male athlete, female athlete, academic activities participant, and courageous achievement) for the scholarships. The member school must submit applications. Independent submissions will not be considered. The Andrew Mullins Courageous Achievement Award recognizes a male or female student representing a school in any of VHSL's six enrollment groups. The award goes to a student who has made significant contributions to one or more VHSL athletic and academic activities and who 1) either currently has or has overcome a severe illness, injury, or disability; 2) has overcome great adversity, such as challenging social or home situations; or 3) other extraordinary situations, where the student has displayed tremendous courage against overwhelming odds. The nominee must meet all other requirements for Achievement Award selections. At least one of the letters of support must document the unusual circumstances the student has overcome.

A selection committee of education, business, and media professionals will select one student from each region as the outstanding participant in boys and girls sports and academic activities. The best of the regional winners will win the state awards. The committee will also select one student from each group for courageous achievement, one of whom will win the state award.

Candidates must have previously won a varsity letter or the equivalent in one of the following sports: baseball, boys or girls basketball, cheer, boys or girls cross country, field hockey, football, boys or girls golf, gymnastics, boys or girls indoor track, lacrosse, boys or girls outdoor track, boys or girls soccer, softball, boys or girls swimming, boys or girls tennis, boys or girls volleyball and wrestling; or the academic activities of debate, drama, forensics, creative writing, newspaper, yearbook, magazine, scholastic bowl or film festival to be eligible for the award.

All applications must be postmarked or delivered in person to the VHSL office no later than March 15.

Eligible minors must have their parent's or legal guardians' permission to enter. The Achievement Award Program is subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Awards criteria:

• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Students must have won at least one varsity letter or the equivalent in a VHSL sport/academic activity.
• Involvement in other school-sponsored activities.
• Participation in activities outside of school (work, charities, etc.)
• Two letters of support
• A maximum 500-word typed student essay describing how extracurricular activities have enhanced their educational experience.
• A head and shoulders photograph.

The Awards

• State winners will receive silver bowls and $1,500 scholarships at a luncheon. In addition, state winners' high schools will also receive commemorative bowls.
• All scholarship money will go directly to the institution of higher learning selected by the winner for the first year of course work. Scholarship winners must be enrolled at their institution by October 1 of the current year.
• Schools are encouraged to recognize their nominees in the same way they would honor their valedictorian and salutatorian.