Elks Lodge to Award College Scholarships

Students in the Oxnard Union High School District have received forms to apply for scholarships through the Oxnard Elks Lodge No. 1443.

Students at Camarillo, Channel Islands, Hueneme, Oxnard and Rio Mesa high schools, as well as Santa Clara Catholic High School, are eligible and can obtain a form from their school’s scholarship coordinator.

The lodge will award six scholarships, from $500 to $700 each for first-, second- and third-place boys and girls.

“The winners of the local scholarships are forwarded to Santa Barbara for judging, and the 12 highest from the West Coast district are sent to Sacramento for state judging,” said James McGarry, the Elks’ scholarship chairman. “Winners at the state level are then forwarded to the Elks National Foundation in Chicago, where they have a chance to win the Most Valuable Student Award.”

To apply, a student must be a high school senior and U.S. citizen. Scholarship, leadership and financial need are the criteria for judging.

The Elks national organization offers 500 four-year awards each year. They include two $60,000 scholarships of $15,000 per year for four years, two $40,000 scholarships of $10,000 per year, two $20,000 scholarships of $5,000 per year and an additional 494 $4,000 scholarships of $1,000 annually.

Applications must be returned to the Oxnard Elks Lodge, 801 South A St., by 5 p.m. on Jan. 12.

For more information, call the lodge at 483-5713 or James McGarry at 483-6352.