Kentucky Association Fairs & Horse Shows Youth Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Kentucky Association Fairs & Horse Shows

Description
Our Association partners with county and independent horse shows to expand youth participation and volunteer engagement. The scholarship program recognizes young volunteers from local fairs by providing financial support for further education and acknowledging community service. The award highlights the role of fair-based activities in building life skills and encouraging continued involvement in agricultural and equine events.

- **Purpose:** Recognize and support youth volunteers from local fairs.
- **Scope:** Open to nominees representing county fairs that partner with the Association.
- **Focus:** Rewards community service and personal development gained through fair activities.
- **Administration:** Coordinated with local fair officials and statewide awards committee.

Eligibility
Candidates must be youth volunteers with a documented record of fair participation and service. Eligible applicants are either seniors in high school or enrolled in a post-secondary program (college, trade school, or military) and must not have reached their 21st birthday by October 1 of the application year. Each nominee must represent the county of the nominating fair and meet the minimum volunteer participation requirement.

- **Volunteer requirement:** Active involvement at the local fair for at least one year (several years preferred).
- **Age & enrollment:** High school senior or enrolled in post-secondary; under 21 by October 1 of the applying year.
- **Representation:** Nominee must represent the county of the nominating fair.
- **Repeat winners:** Scholarships may be won only once.

Nomination and Local Selection
Local fair officials control which applicants advance to the state-level competition. If a local fair already awards scholarships, its officials decide which candidate — if any — should represent the fair at the state level. Each fair may submit only one entry, and every fair is encouraged to participate.

- **Local authority:** Fair officials select the nominee to forward to the state competition.
- **One entry:** Only one application per fair is permitted.
- **Encouragement:** All fairs are urged to submit a candidate each year.
- **County representation:** The nominee must be the official representative of that fair’s county.

Application Materials and Submission
Applicants must submit a short essay and a supporting recommendation from the local fair board. The essay, written by the applicant, should describe how involvement in local fair activities has enhanced personal life skills and must be between 500 and 600 words. Each application must include a one-page letter of recommendation from the local fair board and be emailed to luasbury@outlook.com. The submitter should receive an acknowledgment within a few days; if not, contact the email or call/text (606) 564-0478.

- **Essay:** 500–600 words describing how fair activities enhanced personal life skills.
- **Recommendation:** One-page letter from the local fair board required.
- **How to submit:** Email the complete application to luasbury@outlook.com.
- **Receipt & contact:** Expect an acknowledgment within a few days; email or call/text (606) 564-0478 for questions.

Selection and Awarding
Winners are chosen by the awards committee at the fall KAFHS meeting. There are six statewide winners total — two winners from each zone — selected based on the submitted application materials and local nomination. Each winner receives a $2,000 cash scholarship and a commemorative plaque; the scholarship may be awarded only once per recipient.

- **Selection body:** Awards committee at the fall KAFHS meeting.
- **Number of winners:** Six winners statewide (two per zone).
- **Prize:** $2,000 cash scholarship plus a plaque for each winner.
- **One-time award:** Recipients may not win the scholarship more than once.

Application Timeline
Key timing elements are the applicant age cutoff and the fall selection meeting. Applicants must be under age 21 as of October 1 of the application year. Final selection of recipients occurs at the fall KAFHS meeting; local fairs should set internal deadlines to allow time for their chosen nominee to assemble and submit the required materials.

- **Age cutoff:** Must not have reached 21 by October 1 of the applying year.
- **Selection timing:** Winners selected at the fall KAFHS meeting.
- **Local deadlines:** Fairs should schedule internal nomination deadlines to meet state submission timelines.
- **Acknowledgment window:** Submitters should receive an email receipt within a few days of submission.

History of the Award
The scholarship grew from decades of Association engagement with county fair and independent horse shows to encourage youth participation. It was developed as part of broader programs aimed at increasing involvement in equine and fair activities while supporting young people’s educational goals. The award both recognizes service to local fairs and invests in the next generation of fair and equine community leaders.

- **Origins:** Stemmed from long-term Association work with fairs and horse shows.
- **Goals:** Increase youth participation and reward volunteerism.
- **Legacy:** Supports continued education and community leadership among fair volunteers.