Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
A Public Service Sorority
2016 Scholarship Application
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a public service organization of black college educated
women that strives to improve the condition of African Americans and, in so doing build a
stronger more just country for all Americans. During its 103 year history, the organization has
developed an extensive array of public service projects through its Five-Point Program Thrust of
Physical and Mental Health, Educational Development, Economic Development,
International Awareness and Involvement, and Political Awareness and Involvement.
For over thirty (30) years, the Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter (PVAC) of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority has served the Greater Montgomery County, Maryland area, but particularly the
neighborhoods in Potomac and the Northwest corner of the County. The chapter continues to
address the conditions of the low income communities, with a particular focus on the AfricanAmerican communities.
Up to eleven (11) Book Awards will be given this year. The maximum award is $300.
Scholarships are awarded to Montgomery County High School Seniors and applicants are judged
on the following criteria:
Δ Academic Achievement
Δ Community Service
Δ Writing Assignment; Rubric included
For more information on our programs and a link to the application visit our website at
www.dstpvac.org . A copy of the application is also attached to this notice.
Darlene Goodman-Mims
Darlene Goodman-Mims, Chair
Scholarship Committee
Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Debra A. Thomas
Debra A. Thomas, President
Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Application Criteria
Applicant must:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be a high school senior graduating from a Montgomery County Public School.
Be a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland.
Have a 2.0 – 3.0 GPA.
Be enrolled in an accredited institution by Fall 2016 seeking a Bachelor's or Associate’s Degree
and submit a copy of the college/university acceptance letter.
In addition to the application form, applicants must submit:
1. Two reference letters, one community-based and one school-based.
2. A 350-500 word statement addressing one of the two attached poems.
3. A current official academic transcript with grade point average (GPA).
All of the items listed above must be included in the application package, along with signatures
from applicant and counselor. Omission of any of these items will exclude the applicant from
consideration.
Completed applications should be mailed to:
Scholarship Committee Chair
Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
P.O. Box 59653
Potomac, Maryland 20859
Application must be postmarked by Friday, April 22, 2016
Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
A Public Service Sorority
2016 Scholarship Application
Type The Requested Data Below:
Applicant's Name: _______________________________________________________________
Applicant's Home Address:
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone Number: ____________________________________________
Cell phone Number: ______________________________________________
Email Address (es): ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _____________________________________________________
(Month/Day/Year)
Name of Parent(s):__________________________________________________
Name High School: _________________________________________________________
Current Grade Point Average: Unweighted _________________ Weighted ________________
Student Service Learning Hours Earned: ___________________________________________
University Planning to Attend: _____________________________________________________
Intended Major: _________________________________________________________________
High School Graduation Date: ____________________________________________________
List your membership(s) in the following areas: (List here; do not write “See Attached”;
Continue on additional page if needed. You may also submit a resume to supplement.)
Organizations
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Offices Held In Organizations
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Community Activities
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Honors and Awards
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Extracurricular Activities
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Applicant’s Signature and Date: ____________________________________________________
Counselor’s Signature and Date: ____________________________________________________
Return completed application postmarked by Fridday April 22, 2016 to:
Scholarship Committee Chair
Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
P.O. Box 59653
Potomac, Maryland 20859
Instructions for 350-500 word statement:
Read and select one of the attached poems. Write a 350-500 word statement to the following
prompt:
Prompt: To what person, living or dead, would you dedicate this poem, and why? Provide
multiple reasons to support your answer.
Mother To Son - Poem by Langston Hughes
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now—
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
—Maya Angelou