The Sword in the Scroll Fencing Academy (SITS) is pleased to announce that scholarship applications are now available for the Drew Page Fencing Scholarship. This is the third time that SITS will be offering these scholarships which are supported by the SITS Endowment Fund. The fund was created in 2022 through the generous support of donors from the SITS community.
There are two scholarships available this year. Each one is for $1,000.00. Winners will receive a check directly from SITS.
WHO MAY APPLY?
You may apply for one of these scholarships if:
DUE DATES
Scholarship applications are due in full by midnight April 14, 2025. Winners will be notified by the end of May.
HOW DO I APPLY?
You have two options:
Sword in the Scroll Fencing Academy
90 South Park St
Willimantic, CT 06226
If you have any questions please email swordinthescroll@gmail.com
WHAT SHOULD MY APPLICATION INCLUDE?
Your application packet should include:
There are seven sections in the application. Each section requires different information from you. It is best to try to respond to each item in the application. If something asked does not apply to you, it is perfectly O.K. to write NA (short for “Not Applicable”) in the answer space and go on to the next item.
If you are currently in school, it is best to ask the school to provide you with a transcript early in the application window. Sometimes schools require time to comply with your request. A transcript in electronic form can be uploaded in the application itself. In paper form, if you are able to scan it and upload it to the application electronically, please do. However, if you cannot do that, you may mail it to SITS. Be sure to put “SITS scholarship” in the envelope address and that it is received before the application window closes.
If you are home-schooled, you should still submit some form of academic progress report. Your instructor(s) may be able to guide you in this. Questions can be addressed to SITS, but would best be submitted quite early in the application window to provide time to clear up any confusion.
Your essay will be scored holistically. This means that each judge will assign one score based on the essay’s overall impression. So, while mechanics such as correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation are always a factor, there is no separate score for these features apart from the content. So to achieve the best score, you should write an essay of high-interest that does not ignore proper writing conventions unless these lapses are obviously for effect.
As to the content, while there is no single formula, generally focusing on just one or two themes results in a higher score than an essay that tries to address too many things at once. However, your points should include adequate support and elaboration so the judge will fully understand what it is you are trying to get across.
There is no length requirement associated with this essay; however, a single brief paragraph will probably not receive a very high score. So, try to include enough detail in your writing so that a judge can make a fair judgement of the quality and focus of your writing.
The letter of recommendation should be prepared for you by an adult who knows you well. It is best if you request this letter early in the application window. This is another item that may take someone else some time to prepare, so let them know when they should have it ready. It is best to communicate with the writer that this letter is in support of a fencing scholarship. Letters that are more targeted tend to receive higher scores than ones that are generic. It is O.K for purposes of this scholarship if they hand the letter directly to you so you may scan it and upload it to the application itself. However, it is also fine if the writer would prefer to send it in the mail to the address below. One letter of recommendation is adequate and please submit no more than two of these.
Sword in the Scroll Fencing Academy
attn: Scholarship
90 South Park Street
Willimantic, CT 06226
