To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Becca Schnorr, Youth Commission Coordinator
Title
Discussion/Direction: Town of Castle Rock Rising Star Scholarship
Body
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Executive Summary
The proposed Town of Castle Rock Rising Star Scholarship would honor local high school seniors who have made significant positive contributions in the community. This program aims to foster civic engagement, celebrate local youth leadership and strengthen ties between the Town and its residents.
Up to two $1,000 scholarships would be awarded annually under the program, initially from the Youth Commission’s budget. The vision includes Youth Commission members pursuing sponsorships toward the scholarships in future years.
Both the Lone Tree and Parker Youth Commissions offer similar scholarships. Staff is proposing launching this effort this year, ahead of the Town’s first Youth Commission members being seated, to help build awareness of the Youth Commission and to begin building relationships with local students.
If Council approves the program tonight, 2025 applications would be accepted February 10 through March 14, and recipients would be celebrated at the April 15 Town Council meeting. Scholarships would be nonrenewable and directly distributed to the recipient’s higher education institution of choice.
If Council approves the program, the application process for interested students would have four parts: 1) fill out an application form online at CRgov.com/RisingStar 2) submit a personal statement, sharing future aspirations and the impacts of contributions to the community to date 3) submit a letter of support from a non-family member that speaks to the contributions and 4) submit a media release form.
A panel of judges representing the Youth Commission would review applications, using a rubric to ensure fair and consistent evaluation. For 2025, the panel would consist of youth from the Teen Advisory Group, Fire Explorers and Teen Court, along with the staff and Council liaisons to the Youth Commission. In future years, Youth Commission members would serve as the youth evaluators.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
A communications plan (Attachment A) has been created to ensure broad awareness of this new program, if it is approved. Eligible seniors must either live in Castle Rock or go to a high school in Castle Rock. Homeschooled Castle Rock seniors are encouraged to apply.
Proposed Motion
“I move to direct staff to implement the Town of Castle Rock Rising Star Scholarship as proposed.”