The upstate New York chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association is looking for eligible high school seniors or returning college students from families of licensed owners, trainers, or drivers who participate full or part time in harness racing.

They can now click here and print out an application that could bring them $1,500 closer to completing their college education.

Through the generosity of Ray Schnittker and Jeff Gural, UNY-USHWA is offering the scholarship named for Schnittker’s world class trotter, Deweycheatumnhowe. The fifth annual 'Dewey Degree Scholarship' is an annual fellowship given to an eligible student who meets the criteria and is chosen by the chapter officers and an impartial third party judge. It is a $1,500, one-time, non-renewable assistance award.

The applicant must be entering college for the first time this fall or already in a college, university, or trade school and be enrolled as a full time student (12 credit hours minimum). Applicants’ parent(s), grandparent(s), and/or legal guardian(s) must be a licensed horseman or horsewoman during the year prior to application. (In this case, 2012) Only one relative need be licensed to be eligible. The applicant must be at least a high school senior at time of application. Anyone living in the U.S. or Canada is eligible.

You are required to submit an essay discussing your background in harness racing, your work experience in harness racing, what you think could be done to better harness racing in the future, and how you see yourself as part of it. The essay should be around 600 words in length. You will also need to submit proof of your relatives licensing and a minimum of two letters of reference --- one from a horseperson and one from a teacher or advisor in your current school.

All documents must be received by UNY-USHWA no later than May 31, 2013. The recipient of the 2013 Dewey Degree will be announced shortly thereafter and the scholarship will be presented in the winners circle at Tioga Downs this summer. We request the winner be present for that presentation.

For more information or to view previous winners of the scholarship, surf to upstatenyushwa.com.

(USHWA)