Background: The RARE Foundation, through its annual “Everyday Hero” award recognizes ordinary people in Michigan’s workplace who are making significant contributions in their life’s work…who go above and beyond their day-to-day responsibilities for the benefit of others in their company, organization or community… and who consistently exhibit the qualities of a role model in their daily lives.

Each year, RARE honors deserving individuals at its “Night of Heroes” dinner where they receive the Everyday Hero award, a $1,000 honorarium, and have their story documented in the Foundation’s Everyday Hero character education program for Michigan youth.

The Everyday Hero Writing Scholarship: This year, the RARE Foundation is introducing its “Everyday Hero” writing scholarship for high school seniors planning to attend a Michigan college, university or post secondary school. RARE’s purpose is to engage more young people in identifying everyday heroes throughout our state and through the process of discovery and writing, become inspired about life’s possibilities.

Winning students will receive a $2,500 scholarship toward tuition while the subject of the Everyday Hero essay will receive the RARE Foundation’s Everyday Hero Award and the $1,000 honorarium that comes with it.

This Year’s Essay Theme-“My Everyday Hero-A True Difference Maker”
Students wishing to enter the scholarship competition are required to submit an original, well-documented essay of at least 500 words about someone you consider an Everyday Hero because through their life’s work, they are making a difference for others, now and for the future.

Qualities to look for in the person you choose to write about include a strong work ethic, commitment to what they believe in, selflessness in putting others first and integrity in the way they lead their daily lives.

Judging Criteria: Essays will be reviewed and judged by the RARE Foundation Education Committee based on the following criteria:

• Strength of the idea
• Organization of the essay
• Depth of research
• Specificity of examples supporting the theme
• Creativity of the work

Official Rules:

• The amount of each scholarship is $2,500
• The RARE Foundation reserves the right to determine the number of scholarship awards.
• Only Michigan high school graduating seniors are eligible.
• All submissions become the property of the RARE Foundation and may be published on its website and in its educational materials.
• Essays must be based on a living Michigan resident.
• The award will be made in the form of a check paid directly to the Michigan institution in which the student is actually enrolled.
• Deadline for entries is February 29th, 2008.
• Winners will be announced May 1st 2008.
• Entries must be typed and accompanied by an official entry form signed by the student and a teacher or advisor.
• In the case of ties, financial need may be considered especially in the case of students receiving other scholarship awards.
  
  Please send essays and completed application forms to:
  The RARE Foundation
  1740 W. Big Beaver Rd., Ste. 200
  Troy, MI 48084

Click here for the printable application form (pdf)