Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District # 316
1006 Avenue F, Room A-1 / Bay City, Texas 77414
(979) 245-1138 ext. 3
MatagordaCount[email protected]as.gov
2019 Conservation Essay Contest
SUBJECT:
“Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper”
Junior Division: Ages 12 and 13 – Maximum of 300 Words
Senior Division: Ages 14 to 18 – Maximum of 500 Words
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Name Parent/Guardian
___________________________________ ___________________________________
Age and Grade Level School Name
___________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Contact Information (Mailing Address and/or Phone Number)
Please visit https://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/programs/public-information-and-eduation for additional
resources. Information will be listed under “Important Updates” on the right side of the page. You may also
contact your local Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District for additional information.
As you write your essay, please remember the following:
Write about soil and water conservation practices. What types of conservation practices are farmers and
ranchers in your area doing?
Make your writing interesting to the reader.
Make sure that your ideas are clear and easy for the reader to follow.
Write about your ideas in detail.
Check your work for correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar.
Do not plagiarize.
Please submit your entry to the Matagorda County SWCD by December 18, 2018. Contact
Kara McHugh for more information.
The top five essays in each division will receive prizes, with the top four winners in each division earning
cash prizes. The First Place winner in the Senior Division will receive a $500 scholarship.
The top two essays in each age division will advance to the Area 3 Competition.
This contest is open to students between the ages of 12 and 18, and who are considered eligible under Texas University Interscholastic
League eligibility requirements.
2019 Matagorda County Conservation Awards Program
Senior Essay Contest:
1
st
Place - $500 Scholarship
2
nd
Place - $100 cash
3
rd
Place - $50 cash
4
th
Place - $25 cash
Honorable mention - $10 gift certificate
Junior Essay Contest:
1
st
Place - $100 cash
2
nd
Place - $50 cash
3
rd
Place - $25 cash
4
th
Place - $10 cash
Honorable mention - $5 gift certificate
Matagorda County Soil and Water
Conservation District #316 Scholarship
The Matagorda County SWCD Scholarship provides financial assistance to high school students in
Matagorda County who wish to pursue a post-secondary institution studying agriculture.
Deadline
The complete essay is due by 5:00 PM Central on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
Amount
At least one scholarship up to $500 is anticipated to be awarded in 2019.
Eligibility
An applicant must meet all of the following qualifications:
Be enrolled in high school,
Have demonstrated integrity, ability, and competence in his or her work, and
Have completed the essay in regards to the current topic,
* Scholarship recipients must enroll in a post-secondary educational institution. Scholarship money
will be paid to the institution.
Application Procedure
To apply, please participate in the Soil and Water Conservation Essay Contest
Make arrangements to turn essay into Matagorda County SWCD #316 district clerk, Kara
McHugh. She can be reached by phone at 979-245-1138 *3 or by email at
Selection
The Matagorda County Soil and Water Conservation District will evaluate and rank applications.
Recommendations will be presented to the Board of Directors for final approval. Recognition of all
scholarship recipients will be made at the Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Banquet.
