Gidwood Sutton Sr. Memorial Scholarship
The Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldier’s Motorcycle Club was chartered on 11 November 2004. Our members are a collective group of active, retired, and civilian male and female riders who are dedicated to continue the legacy of the Buffalo Soldier. The purpose of the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club is to promote good citizenship, motorcycle safety and to establish fellowship among all citizens, motorcycle riders, and their families.
Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Riders’ call to duty:
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To promote the history of African American Veterans.
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To be a positive role model for youth in our community.
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To support our veterans by visiting local veterans, their families, and supporting our fallen heroes.
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To support charitable organizations in our community.
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To promote motorcycle safety in our community.
In honor of Trooper Gidwood Sutton, Sr., the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers M/C will award a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a local high school senior. If your entry packet is the winner for the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers M/C, your packet will then be forwarded to the Northeast Frontier for a chance to compete for a scholarship the amount of $2,000.00. (The Northeast Frontier include: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia)
Lastly, if your packet wins at the Northeast Frontier level, it will be submitted to the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club (National level) scholarship committee for a chance to win $5,000.
ALL Applicants must:
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Complete all forms in their entirety. Attach additional pages if required.
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Be a graduating high school senior with a GPA of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better (official “sealed” transcript must accompany all applications).
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Attend a high school in one of the following Hampton Roads cities: Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News or Suffolk.
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Proof of Tuition Expenditure (tuition bill, acceptance letter, enrollment letter, etc.)
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Provide at least 1 letter of recommendation that will demonstrate an excellent record of conduct, leadership ability and community involvement (i.e. one letter from your school counselor; one from school personnel and the third from a member of the community).
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Complete Financial Affidavit.
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Answer all essay questions.
Sincerely,
Venessa “VW” Harris
Chairman, Scholarship Committee
Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers M/C
Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
2020 Trooper Gidwood Sutton Sr. Memorial
Scholarship Application
Please type or print legibly in black ink. Additional sheets may be attached.
Applicant’s name: _______________________________________ Age: _____ Race: ______
Street address: ______________________________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _____________ Zip Code: __________________
Email address: ______________________________________________________________
Home phone number: _____________________ Cell number: _________________________
High school: _____________________________ Counselor’s name: ___________________
Mother/Guardian’s name: ______________________________ Cell number: ____________
Father/Guardian’s name: _______________________________ Cell number: ____________
College/University/Institute you plan to attend: ____________________________________
Intended educational major: ____________________________________________________
What are your career goals? ___________________________________________________________________________________
*List any extra-curricular activities you have been or are currently involved in and any honors,
awards, recognitions and/or achievements you have received over the last two years:
*List any public/community service activities you are currently involved in:
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Prepare a letter of introduction, identifying yourself, your accomplishments to date, your family background, and the degree you are seeking, and your financial need. Provide a brief summary of how you plan to use the scholarship funding if selected.
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Provide at least one letter of recommendation with an official letterhead.
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Write a 500-word essay (typewritten or handwritten in your own words) on one of the following topics. Do not write about the Buffalo Soldiers or Troopers Motorcycle Club, but about the historical Buffalo Soldiers formed in 1866.
A. In What Ways Does the Buffalo Soldier Legacy Inspire Me?
B. Buffalo Soldiers exemplify many positive character traits. Please provide examples of at least two traits and briefly describe how they can help mold or shape your life in the future.
C. The Congressional Medal of Honor is presented to the recipient by the President of the United States in the name of Congress. This is the highest award for valor presented to military members for exemplifying the highest degrees of bravery and self-sacrifice on the battlefield. Please provide a brief narrative regarding a Buffalo soldier that received this honor and what can be learned from his life, efforts, and commitment to duty.
D. What are your dreams, hopes, and aspirations or what are your intentions upon graduation from college?
How do your dreams, hopes, or aspirations reflect those of the Buffalo Soldiers?
4. Complete Financial Affidavit.
5. Submit your information and essay by the April 30, 2020 deadline. See the Point of Contact for your state on Page 5.
Page 3 of 5
Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Trooper Gidwood Sutton Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Financial Affidavit
APPLICANT INFORMATION:
Last Name: First Name: _______________________________________
Address: _________________________
City: _________________________State: ____ Zip Code: _________________________
Email: _______________________________ _________________________
Day time Phone: ______________________Best time to call: ________________________
State the career field of interest: _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Applicant Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______________
FAMILY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Adjusted Gross Income of Parent(s)/Guardian(s) from IRS 1040, if applicable:
[ ] Under $30,000
[ ] $31,000 to $50,000
[ ] $51,000 to $75,000
[ ] $76,000 to $100,000
[ ] $Over 100,000
I hereby certify that the information indicated above is correct. I authorize the release of this information to members of the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Scholarship Committee, and I will provide additional information or verification upon request. If granted the scholarship I agree to the publication of my name and likeness in any Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Publication. I agree to the conditions established for this scholarship awarded by the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club.
Parents(s)/Guardians(s) Signature, if applicable: ___________________________________________
Applicants Signature: _________________________________________________________________
Date Submitted: _____________________________________________________________________
Page 4 of 5
Terms & Conditions:
I, , certify, to the best of my knowledge, the information on this application is complete and accurate. Falsification of any information will cause my disqualification from the scholarship competition.
I understand it is my responsibility to make sure the application process is complete by the required deadline. If not, the application may be disqualified from the awards competition and may not be considered for an award.
This application, upon receipt, becomes the property of the scholarship chairman.
I agree that, if selected as an award winner for the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Scholarship, the program chairman or its agents may use my name and likeness and any other information or materials provided in connection with this program for purposes of news, publicity and advertising in all media, including but not limited to print and electronic media, press releases, internet websites and video media.
To comply with the provisions of the Family Educational and Privacy Act of 1974, I hereby grant permission for school officials to release secondary school records and other requested information, if necessary. _______ (Initial)
If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Applicant Signature: ________________________________ Date: _______________________
Parent Signature (if applicable): ___________________________________________________
Submit Application:
You may mail or email your application with all the applicable materials no later than April 30, 2020:
Contact Information:
Venessa “VW” Harris
Scholarship Chairman
Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Mailing Address:
Trooper Gidwood Sutton Sr. Memorial Scholarship
c/o Venessa “VW” Harris
9 Eisele Court
Hampton, VA 23666
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As stated above, if your packet is the winner for the local chapter, which is the Hampton Roads Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, it will be sent to the Northeastern Frontier to be judged with the winners from eight (8) other states. Therefore, if you are interested in your packet being reviewed by the Northeastern Frontier’s selection committee, with the possibility of more winnings, the following pages must be completed.
Thank you
NABSTMC
Buffalo Soldiers Frontier Scholarship Program
2020 Application
Application Deadline: May 31, 2020
Contact Information:
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
Academic Information:
High School Name:
City / State
Graduation Date:
GPA:
Class Rank:
Class Size:
ACT Composite Score:
SAT Critical Reading Score:
SAT Math Score:
SAT Written Score:
Does Your school offer Honors, AP, or IB Programs, Dual Enrollment? Yes / No
Number of Honors Classes You Have Taken:
Number of AP
Class You Have
Taken:
Number of IB Classes You Have Taken:
Number of Dual Enrollment
Class You Have
Taken:
Financial Need:
Use this space to describe your financial situation and why this scholarship is necessary to help fund your College education:
College Information (If you have not finalized your college choice, provide your first choice school.):
College Name:
City / State:
Institution Type:
Certificate Four-Year Two-Year Vocational or Technical:
Degree Sought: Associates Bachelors Certificate
Major:
Anticipated Graduation Date:
Applicant Service, Extracurricular Activities and Work Experience:
Use this space to provide the applicant’s volunteer service, extracurricular activities and work experience during the applicant’s academic career. Do not attach a resume in lieu of completing this form. It will not be reviewed.
Description
Total Hours or Average Hours per week:
Are you still participating? (yes / no)
Start Date:
End Date :
Highest Position Held:
Description
Total Hours or Average Hours per week:
Are you still participating? (yes / no)
Start Date:
End Date :
Highest Position Held:
Description
Total Hours or Average Hours per week:
Are you still participating? (yes / no)
Start Date:
End Date :
Highest Position Held:
Honors and Awards:
Use this space to provide the applicant’s honors and awards during the applicant’s academic career. Do not attach a resume in lieu of completing this form. It will not be reviewed.
Description
Level (National/State/Regional/Etc.):
Academic Year Achieved
Description
Level (National/State/Regional/Etc.):
Academic Year Achieved
Description
Level (National/State/Regional/Etc.):
Academic Year Achieved
Description
Level (National/State/Regional/Etc.):
Academic Year Achieved
Description
Level (National/State/Regional/Etc.):
Academic Year Achieved
Name of local Buffalo Soldier Chapter: _______________________________
Supporting Documents:
The following documents are required to complete your application:
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ACT/SAT Scores
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Official High School Transcript (or equivalent if home schooled)
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A 500 word essay on the topics described above
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At least one letter of recommendation on official letter head from a teacher, guidance counselor or school administrator, and/or community service organization
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A letter of acceptance to an institution of higher learning
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Statement explaining your financial need, with a phone number
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Parent’s signature below if student is under 18 years old
Terms & Conditions:
I, , certify, to the best of my knowledge, the information on this application is complete and accurate. Falsification of any information will cause my disqualification from the scholarship competition.
I understand:
(1) It is my responsibility to make sure the application process is complete by the required deadline. If not, the application may be disqualified from the scholarship competition and may not be considered for an award.
(2) This application, upon receipt, becomes the property of the program sponsor.
I agree that, if selected as an award winner for the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club Scholarship Program, the program sponsor or its agents may use my name and likeness and any other information or materials provided in connection with this program for purposes of news, publicity and advertising in all media, including but not limited to print and electronic media, press releases, internet websites and video media.
To comply with the provisions of the Family Educational and Privacy Act of 1974, I hereby grant permission for school officials to release secondary school records and other requested information, if necessary.
If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Applicant Signature: Date:
Parent Signature: (if applicable)