WELCOME THE NEXT GENERATION
WNC Honors communities give young people a place to contribute, build relationships and care for the places they call home.
$8,000 TOTAL
STANDARD AWARD
$12,000 TOTAL
PREMIER AWARD
APPLICATIONS OPEN
DECEMBER 15
3.0 GPA
MIN. TO APPLY
4 YEARS
OF SUPPORT
YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER’S ROLE
Community involvement is at the heart of the George H.V. Cecil Journey Scholarship. WNC Honors community centers connect students with local opportunities and support them as they apply.
Here is how your community can help:
SHARE OPPORTUNITIES
Share projects and events with students and schools.
HELP STUDENTS GET STARTED
Let students know when, where and how they can help.
COMPLETE NOMINATIONS
Nominate students applying through your community.
NAME A POINT PERSON
Choose a welcoming contact for students and school staff.
NOMINATING A STUDENT FROM YOUR COMMUNITY
Every student applying for the Journey Scholarship must be nominated by a participating WNC Honors community. A Community Nomination confirms that the student has a connection to your community and names them as an applicant from your community. It does not guarantee that the student will receive a scholarship.
A student may contact you directly, WNC Communities may connect you with an interested student, or your community may already know someone it would like to nominate.
CONNECT WITH THE STUDENT
Talk with the student about their connection to your community and their involvement with the community.
DECIDE WHETHER TO NOMINATE THEM
Determine whether your community would like to support the student’s application as an applicant from your community.
COMPLETE THE NOMINATION FORM
An officer completes and signs one form for the student. The student submits their scholarship application separately.
You don’t need to know the student personally to nominate them.
Your community may nominate as many eligible students as it wishes.
WELCOMING YOUNG PEOPLE INTO COMMUNITY LIFE
Often, a simple invitation is all it takes: “We would love to have you join us.” Many young people want to help but they may not know what opportunities are available or who to contact. A project does not have to be large or complicated. A clear task, a warm welcome and someone there to help them get started can make it easier to join in and make it more likely they will return.
HOW YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP FOR THEIR COMMUNITIES
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY LIFE
Food pantries and meal distribution
Donation drives and fundraisers
Disaster relief and emergency supplies
Festivals and community events
SHARING SKILLS & LEADERSHIP
Traditional arts and cultural activities
Music, tutoring and youth programs
Photography and technology
Youth leadership and community storytelling
CARING FOR NEIGHBORS & NATURE
Building, playground and grounds projects
Community gardens and tree planting
Cleanups and beautification
Trail, stream and habitat projects
KEYS TO CREATING A WELCOMING EXPERIENCE
Small details can make it much easier for a young person to take that first step and feel like they belong.
OFFER A CLEAR FIRST STEP
Invite them to one specific project, event or task.
WELCOME THEM IN
When a student arrives, greet them by name, introduce them to the people they will be working with and make sure they know where to go and what to do first.
ASK WHAT INTERESTS THEM
Invite their ideas and look for ways to use their creativity and skills.
EXPLAIN WHY IT MATTERS
Show students how their work makes a difference in the community.
PLAN AHEAD
Let students know who will supervise, how they will get there, what the work involves, what to bring and any age or accessibility requirements.
FOLLOW UP
Thank students and invite them back.
HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER
SHARE OPPORTUNITIES
We can share your opportunities with students and staff
MAKE CONNECTIONS
We can connect you to nearby schools and students.
DEVELOP YOUR IDEAS
We can help shape a need into a youth-friendly project.
ANSWER QUESTIONS
We can answer questions about nominations and eligibility.
SHARE A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Have a project, event or recurring need where young people could help? Tell us about it. We can review the information and help share appropriate opportunities with students and school staff. Not sure your idea is ready? Reach out anyway. We would be glad to help you shape it.
