Congratulations to the 2009 winners!

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Natalia Grant-Villegas, Rogelio Galicia, & Zachary Ruyle-Meyer

What is it?
The National AIDS Memorial Grove Youth College Scholarship Program is an essay contest open to current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. All entries must address the significance of HIV/AIDS and the NAMG in 500-750 words and will be judged by a panel of experts from the community. A minimum of three scholarships of $1,000 USD will be awarded; and winners will be recognized at a ceremony on December 1st 2009, World AIDS Day.

Who we are
The National AIDS Memorial Grove (NAMG) is a living tribute to all whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to provide a healing sanctuary for grieving, gathering and renewal, and to keep the human tragedy of AIDS in the forefront of the national consciousness by honoring all lives touched by AIDS.

Recommendations
We strongly recommend and encourage visits to the Grove. To support your exploration of its unique cultural and historic significance, the option of prescheduled tours and appointment will be available. For scheduling contact us.

Can I submit something other than an Essay?
Performances such as dance, theatre, spoken word (such as poetry, or rap) and art will be accepted. All entries must be recorded. Acceptable formats for video include VHS, CD’s or DVD’s. There are additional requirements for creative expressions detailed in the application instructions.

Requirements:
• A brief personal statement.
• NAMG Youth Scholarship Application.
• An essay or creative expression addressing the impact of HIV/AIDS, or the NAMG.
• Availability for award presentations on Dec. 1st 2009 World AIDS Day.

Application Deadlines:
Nov. 6th 2009—Application and Personal Statement
Nov. 15th 2009—Essay/Contest Submission.

Where do I get the application?
Check with your teacher or councilor as they may have some available. The application will be on the National AIDS Memorial website at www.aidsmemorial.org. Alternatively, you may request one via e-mail or mail.
Contact: Steven L. Gall (415) 765-0498 intern@aidsmemorial.org

Is there anything else I need to enter?
All rules will be detailed in the application instructions. There is no application fee for this program. Contact us with any questions

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Mission
The National AIDS Memorial Grove (NAMG) is a living tribute to all whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to provide a healing sanctuary by offering in perpetuity a public landscape for grieving, gathering and renewal, and to keep the human tragedy of AIDS in the forefront of the national consciousness by honoring all lives touched by AIDS. The purpose of the Youth Scholarship Program is to engage youth to explore the ways in which they are touched by HIV/AIDS and the Grove.

Recommendations
We strongly recommend and encourage visits to the Grove. To support your exploration of its unique cultural and historic significance, the option of prescheduled tours and appointment will be available. For scheduling contact the NAMG office.

Awards
Three college scholarships of $1,000 USD will be awarded.

Eligibility
Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to participate in the National AIDS Memorial Grove Youth Scholarship Program.

Requirements
You must submit a brief personal statement with the application form by November 15th 2009. Instructions for the statement are listed below. Late statements may be considered on an individual basis. All essays, creative works, or expressions, MUST be received by the November 15th 2009 deadline however. All submissions must be sent by mail to the NAMG office, or the e-mail address provided at the bottom of the application.  You must also be available for the award presentations on December 1st 2009, which is World AIDS Day. The ceremony will be held at the National AIDS Memorial Grove.

Application Deadlines
Nov. 6th  2009—Application and Personal Statement.
Nov. 15th 2009—Essay/Contest Submission.

Personal Statement
In your statement explain how the NAMG scholarship can assist you in achieving your academic goals. You may address what you are passionate about, the challenges you have faced, or what your future goals are. Personal statements must not exceed 250 words and all must be double-spaced and formatted to 12 point Times New Roman font.

Essay Requirements
Essays must consist of 500-750 words in 12 point Times New Roman font and must be double-spaced.

Creative Expression Requirements
Performances such as dance, theatre, spoken word (such as poetry, or rap) and art will be accepted, as we encourage and endorse creative and cultural expression. However, we do require a brief explanation (no more than 150 words) to assist us in understanding how your work speaks to the significance of HIV/AIDS and the Grove. All art or performances must be recorded on a medium that can be turned in. Performances must be recorded on video and submitted by CD, DVD or VHS. As with essays, all alternative submissions must be received by the 15th day of November. Unlike essays we require creative expressions to be turned in by mail, as video files may be to big to send by e-mail.

Subject
Your essay or creative expression must address at least one of these categories:
1.  What is the impact of the National AIDS Memorial Grove on your life, community or school?
2.  What is the impact of HIV/AIDS on your life, community or school?

We encourage creativity in addressing these questions. Our examples are only meant to demonstrate how you may address both categories and launch your creativity.

Example #1
How is the impact of HIV/AIDS represented in the grove and how do you relate to it?
You could speak of the symbolic elements of the NAMG design that represent HIV/AIDS and how you relate to them. An example of a prominent element of design that is symbolic, are the broken circles. But there are many others. The play of light and shadow in the Grove for instance, is a natural symbolic element you could explore.

Example #2
What are the lessons you have learned from your experience of the Grove & HIV/AIDS?

You could speak of your personal experience with HIV/AIDS in terms of what it has taught you and the importance of the Grove. For example, you could speak of effective HIV prevention strategies you have learned, and how the Grove plays a vital role in maintaining public  awareness of HIV/AIDS.