Susan Ellis Roberts Scholarship -
Application deadline extended to Jan. 22, 2007
Dedicated to the memory of
Susan Ellis Roberts,
who sought throughout
her life and career
to encourage creativity and leadership,
particularly in those students
she described as
“diamonds in the rough”
Susan Ellis Roberts will always be remembered for her caring heart, intuitive mind, keen sense of humor and artistic style that affected all those around her in a powerfully positive way. In addition to being a loving and supportive mother, wife and friend, she spent many years as a devoted and inspiring teacher and educator in the Wake County Public School System.
Susan received her bachelor’s degree in American studies from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1971 and later received a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from NC State University. For many years she taught in Wake County at Our Lady of Lourdes, Myrtle Underwood and Hunter Elementary. Susan served as curriculum specialist at J.Y. Joyner Elementary School from 1993-1996. From 1996-2003, Susan worked as senior administrator of language arts for all Wake County elementary schools.
As her roles changed through her career in education, Susan focused on addressing the students’ individual needs. She worked tirelessly to improve reading and writing instruction, built strong relationships in the education community and stayed well read on research. Susan’s positive leadership, honesty and sense of humor were displayed whether she was teaching in a classroom, instructing a workshop to other educators, or collaborating with her peers and co-workers. Her unique drive and creative outlook touched all those she encountered, and this scholarship has been established to honor her memory and legacy.
DESCRIPTION
The Susan Ellis Roberts Scholarship was established in 2003 to annually award a Wake County public school graduating senior who has demonstrated a creative gift or special talent in visual or performing arts, leadership, teaching, entrepreneurship or other area of talent. Susan Roberts wanted this scholarship to honor students she considered "diamonds in the rough." Susan believed that students who do not fit a mold are often overlooked. Like diamonds, these students shine, but not necessarily in a typical or expected way. This scholarship seeks to find such creative and talented young people and to reward them for their talent, commitment, tenacity and creative vision. The dream and design of Susan Ellis Roberts, whom this scholarship honors, is to find and award a student who possesses and has developed a creative gift or special talent, but who may have been overlooked - a "diamond in the rough."
ELIGIBILITY
The applicant must:
- Be a graduating senior attending a Wake County public school;
- Be planning to enroll as a full time student at any two- or four-year post secondary educational program or institution;
- Have maintained good academic standing;
- Have a financial need; and
- Have demonstrated a creative gift in the visual arts, fine arts, leadership, teaching, entrepreneurship or other area of talent.
VALUE
The scholarship is a one-time award of $5,000. The award may be used to pay for any educational expenses such as tuition, fees, or room and board.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The applicant must complete the application and return it with three sealed letters of recommendation to Wake Education Partnership by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, 2007. No applications will be accepted after this time. Selected students will be invited to interview. The scholarship recipient will be notified by April.
Click here to download the application.
Click here to download the letters of recommendation form.
CONTRIBUTIONS
If you would like to make a contribution to the Susan Ellis Roberts Scholarship, please send a check to:
The Susan Ellis Roberts Scholarship Fund
c/o Wake Education Partnership
706 Hillsborough Street, Suite A
Raleigh, NC 27603