Student Awards

Jenkins Memorial Scholarship for Teacher Education

Date Due: December 15th

​Purpose: The Jenkins Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated in October, 1946, as a special Golden Anniversary Project. In 1947 the fund was established as a permanent project as a living memorial to the young people who lost their lives in military service during WWII and was named for one of them, Clifford N. Jenkins, Jr., son of Margaret Jenkins, New York State PTA President 1944-1947 and National PTA President 1961-1964. The purpose of the project is to assist outstanding students in preparing for the teaching profession.

Eligibility: Public High School Seniors who:

1. Plan to prepare for a teaching career.

​2. Plan to attend a college of the State University of New York for baccalaureate degree in education -OR- plan to attend a two year community college before transferring to a baccalaureate degree program in education in a college of the State University of New York.

3. Have not accepted scholarships exceeding the monetary value of $16,000.

4. Attend a public high school in New York State in a school district where there is a PTA/PTSA unit in good standing.

Criteria:​ Character and personality, academic achievement and potential teaching ability.

​Application: Applications will be made available on the New York State PTA website (www.nyspta.org) after September 15. Notification of availability will be sent to guidance counselors in high schools with a PTA/PTSA in good standing.

EACH HIGH SCHOOL MAY SUBMIT TWO (2) CANDIDATES

Award:

- $3,000 paid in installments as follows:

​- $700 paid at the end of the first two academic years (usually at the end of the spring semester) after official transcript is received confirming award compliance.

- $800 paid at the conclusion of the third academic year upon receipt of official transcript confirming award compliance.

- $800 paid upon receipt of official transcript stating course completion, degree completion and recommendation for teach certification.

​Selection of a Winner: Applications are reviewed by a committee of educators and members of the New York State PTA Governance Team. Candidates whose applications pass the initial screening are invited to appear for personal interviews in March at a location chosen from the list of available interview sites.

Candidates must attend the entire interview process to continue eligibility.

Winners: ​​Winners, known as Jenkins Scholars, are notified on or about May 1 and receive an award agreement which must be signed and returned to the New York State PTA office.

Youth Humanitarian Award - In Memory of Stanley Marcus

Due Date: January 31st

Purpose​: The Stanley Marcus Award is presented to high school junior or senior students who best exemplify the humanitarian principles of Stanley Marcus who died in 1977 while serving as third vice president of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers. He will always be remembered for his humanitarianism and dedication to youth through zealous volunteer community service. Since PTA is a volunteer organization, we believe that it is only fitting that we should honor such service by our young people through the sponsorship of this award.

Eligibility​: The nominee must:

​- Be a junior or senior at a high school with a PTA/PTSA in good standing

- Demonstrate outstanding volunteer community service

- Display humanitarian principles by word and deed

- Be selected for the quality of the humanitarian activities rather than for the quantity of extracurricular activities

NOTE: Academic achievement SHOULD NOT be a factor in the selection process.

Each unit may submit one 11th or 12th grade student for this recognition. The PTA must be a unit in good standing.

Click here for an application.

Award: The State Winner will receive an engraved plaque and a monetary award of $250. The chosen recipient from Western Region will receive a recognition plaque from New York State PTA if not selected as the State winner.

Submit applications to your Region Director.

Spotlight on Youth Award

Due Date: ​May 4th

Purpose:​ Western Region PTA offers an award to recognize the achievements of an eighth (8th) grade student from a PTA school within Western Region. The award is not presented for excellence in academics but rather to the all-around student who participates in school activities, is helpful in school and community, gets along well with everyone, and performs to the best of his/ her ability.

Eligibility:​

- The candidate must be an eighth (8th) grade student in a PTA school.

​- Qualifications we are seeking include: Friendliness, Integrity, Enthusiasm and Commitment to task (“The All-around Good Kid”).

​- Each unit may submit only one application for a boy or girl.

Applications​: Applications will be mailed to unit Presidents in April. Click here to download the application!

Award: The recipient will receive a $100 check and a plaque to be presented at the Western Region PTA Spring Conference.

Submit to your Region Director.