The Springfield Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW) is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a young Catholic woman in her senior year of high school who will be pursuing higher education.

The criteria for the scholarship are that the applicants exemplify the DCCW mission values of leadership, faith and service. Scholarship applications are encouraged from all Catholic female high school seniors in Catholic and public high schools, and home schools. Applications have been mailed to all high schools in the Springfield diocese.

Applicants must follow specific application procedures. All applications should include a cover sheet with the following information: full name of applicant; full home address; telephone and/or cell phone numbers; parent or guardian name; high school name, address and phone number; high school principal and school counselor names; date of anticipated graduation; class rank and GPA; home parish, name of pastor, address and phone number; and extra-curricular high school activities.

Each applicant must include a typed two-page (maximum) resume detailing the ways that she has exemplified the values of leadership, faith and service in her community, parish and school. She must also include a minimum of two letters of recommendation from individuals well acquainted with the applicant through educational and/or religious affiliations.

Complete applications with all of the above information must be postmarked by March 15, and mailed to Carolyn Munie, 7699 W. Mill Creek Rd., Collinsville, IL 62234 or phone (618) 667-9102 with questions.

A decision on the winner will be made by April 15 and will be published in the Catholic Times. The winner will be expected to attend the DCCW annual convention in September 2009 to receive her award.