At December's meeting, AIS's Executive Board announce the renewal of the essay-based Ottilie Markholt Scholarship and a new service-based scholarship. Over the past three years, AIS has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and current college students.

"We had so many great student-activists apply last year, kids that are present and future progressive leaders, that we felt we needed to start a new category to award them for what they do," said AIS President Todd Iverson about the new service-based scholarship. AIS will award a minimum of two $500 scholarships in this category.

Students can also apply for the Ottilie Markholt Memorial Scholarship by answering an essay question. Previous winners have been chosen based on the quality of their essay, grades, scholarship and activities. This year's essay questions are different and designed to engage students to think about some of the key issues of the day like trade and union organizing.

Information about the 2008 Service Scholarship

Information about the 2008 Ottilie Markholt Memorial Scholarship

Well over two hundred students applied for the 2007 Ottilie Markholt Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship committee met for over six hours to determine the winners. Thanks to Todd Iverson, Gail Ross, Mike Jagielski, Dan Sexton, Marilyn Kimmerling, Logan Welfringer and Brianna and Jeff Richardson for serving on the committee. The winners were judged on the quality of their essay and commitment to community and academics. Their essays will be posted on our website soon

This year's winners are:

$1,000 High School Grand Prize

Emily Moberg, Penncrest High School in Media, PA

$1,000 College Grand Prize

Lila Zucker, University of Washington

$200 Scholarship Winners

Danielle Megli, Pagosa Springs HS in Bayfield, CO
Brianna Kohr, University of California, Los Angeles
Michael Douglass, Maggie L. Walker Governor's School in Richmond, VA
In Un Flora Ng, Dartmouth College
Chelsey Donohoo, West Hills HS in Santee, CA
Roy Scranton, The New School University in Brooklyn, NY
Gene Plaks, University of Texas at Austin
Brandon Houx, Yelm HS in Yelm, WA
Sarah Brown, West Valley HS in Fairbanks, AK
Kyle Monette, Mililani HS in Mililani, HI 

We've received over 200 entries for this year's Ottilie Markholt Scholarship program and the scholarship committee will be reviewing them shortly. Winners will be notified soon and they will also be posted on this site.

"The scholarship program enables us to honor the great influence Ottilie had on labor and gives us the opportunity to engage young people about the issues affecting working families," said Todd Iverson, president of America In Solidarity. "Many young people don't think about issues like the right to organize and affordable health care until they get out of school and enter the real world. If they think about it for a few hours while writing an essay, then we accomplished something."

This is the third year that America In Solidarity has offered the scholarship to honor the former labor leader, activist and historian. Last year, AIS awarded $4,000 in scholarships to 12 winners and in 2005 gave away $2,600 to five winners. 

On April 15th, applications will be due for the 3rd Annual Ottilie Markholt Memorial Scholarship awarded by America In Solidarity. Last year, our organization awarded $4,000 to 12 winners out of over 200 applicants. Every day more and more applications are reaching our office for this year's scholarship. I've been perusing some of the essays and have been amazed by the heartfelt and insightful stories. One spoke of the loss of a family member due to the lack of health care, another talked about the impact of a union organizer protecting her mom's job. Among the applicants have been excellent scholars and others whose resumes speak about all the great community-focused activities they are involved with.

Several times I have said to myself, "This kid deserves a scholarship. I wish we had more money to give."

Our intention of starting this scholarship program was to get kids to think about the issues that many of them will not until they enter the workforce. When you are about to start or are in college, issues like the importance of unions, or the impact of a labor leader on your life aren't at the forefront. But, the time it takes to write an essay on this has engaged hundreds of students to think about these issues for a few hours. And then maybe they will also be more aware of these issues when they vote, enter the workforce or become active in their community.

America In Solidarity is offering internships to qualified students interested in getting their feet wet in grassroots organizing, elective politics and making a difference for working families. If students care about issues like affordable health care, fair trade policies, living wages, curtailing corporate greed and other issues affecting working families, this will be an excellent opportunity. The internships are unpaid but students will be reimbursed for any expenses.

Internships will tailored to each student's time and location but duties may include:

• Help with establishing America In Solidarity chapters in their city/campus
• Tracking legislation in their state
• Representing America In Solidarity at fairs, festivals and events
• Speaking on behalf of America In Solidarity to elected officials
  
• Volunteering on campaigns

Based in Tacoma, WA, America In Solidarity is expanding throughout the country and now has registered volunteers in all 50 states. Those interested are encouraged to email us or to call our office at 253-471-1123.

 

Over 200 applications were received for the Ottilie Markholt Memorial Scholarship this year. The quality of the essays and applications were incredible and the committee had a difficult time determining the winners. A special thanks to the following people who served on the scholarship committee: Jeff Ricardson, Brianna Richardson, Sarah Miller, Mike Jagielski, Ryan Mello, Gail Ross and Todd Iverson. This year’s winners are:

High School Category Grand Prize Winner: ($1,000 Scholarship)
Anthony Tse, Auburn, WA

Current College Category Grand Prize Winner ($1,000 Scholarship)
Maiah Albi, University of Oregon

High School and College Semi-Finalists ($200 Scholarship)
Angelica Cassimiro, Newark, NJ
Julie Taylor, Pawcatuck, CT
Icela Garcia, Los Angeles, CA
Andrew Burleson, Irma, SC
Celestina Ripley, Soledad, CA
Nathan Wilmers, Huntington Woods, MI
Sara Stevens, Chandler, AZ

Due to calls and emails asking whether the scholarship deadline of April 15th is the postmark date or the date they must be received by, here is the answer. The intention was to make it received by then, but since we were not clear, our committee is going to meet on April 17th and if they are not received by then, you might have to wait until next year. So try to mail it the 14th to insure it gets from your house to Tacoma, WA in time. Also there is no official application, just include the info we ask for along with the essay.

Thanks,

Todd Iverson

President, America In Solidarity

On March 27, the Executive Board of America In Solidarity met and discussed the Ottilie Markholt Scholarship and some of the questions that have arisen about who qualifies.

1. Applicants have to be residents of the United States and will have to attend an accredited college or univerisity in the United States.

2. Winners will have to be full-time students in 2006-07, but need not be this year.

3. Juniors graduating early are eligible to apply.

Thanks for applying and we look forward to reading the essays.

America In Solidarity is offering a minimum of $3,000 in scholarships to qualified high school seniors and current college students. At least one $1,000 grand prize scholarship will be given to a current high school senior and at least one $1,000 to a current college student. Total amounts given will be determined by the Scholarship Committee. AIS awarded $2600 in scholarships in 2005.The applicants must write a 3-5 page essay and provide the required information. Deadline for submittal is April 15th, 2006. Winners will be chosen based on service to their community, merit of their essay, grades and activities.  Contact AIS with any questions.Applicants should include a cover letter that includes: Name, Address, City, Phone, email, high school or college, GPA, prospective colleges (if applicable) and majors, and a list of school and community activities.They will also to need to include a 3-5 page typed essay (single or double spaced) on one of the following topics: