High school students invited to apply for Alaska State Fair scholarships

PALMER — The Alaska State Fair recently announced its annual scholarship application period.

According to a recent press release, education is a key part of the Fair's mission which is why it provides this opportunity to Alaska high school students.

This year, the Fair will award $8,000 in scholarships which are open to all junior and senior high school students across the state who plan to attend college or vocational school.

The 2024 scholarship awards include: for $3,000 first-place, for $2,000 second-place award, $1500 third-place award, a $1,000 4-H/FFA/Vendor award, and a $500 honorable mention award.

Every student who submits a completed application will receive two free admissions to the 2024 Fair season which runs from Aug. 16 to Sept. 2.

To apply, students should submit:

• Cover letter including student’s name, address, phone and email, school name and phone, counselor’s name, and the name of the college or vocational school he or she plans to attend

• Extracurricular resume including interests, clubs, community service and/or employment

• One letter of recommendation

• A photo that may be used for publicity purposes

• Written essay (1,000 words or less) or creative project (audio, video, performance or visual arts, business plan, social media campaign, arts and crafts, photography, etc.). Please note that DVDs will not be accepted. Students can submit videos online by uploading to their personal YouTube, Instagram or other video account, then entering the video URL on the submission page. All other application materials should be submitted to: Alaska State Fair, Attn: Kelly Larson, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645.

The written essay or creative project should address one of the following topics:

• What are the biggest social and economic impacts the Alaska State Fair has contributed to the local economy?

• Alaska is number one in the nation for new farmers. We have the youngest population of

farmers and the largest percentage of women involved in agriculture. What can the Fair do

to keep this trend growing?

• In light of the Fair’s mission statement, how can the Fair have a greater benefit on your

community or in the state of Alaska?

• The Alaska State Fair is always looking for innovative and fun events, activities and contests that are free with Fair admission to fairgoers. Create a new event, activity or contest that has minimal cost for the Fair.

• How would you use a 12-foot by 12-foot booth space at the Fair to start your own business or to sell goods or services?

• Explain your involvement in the Fair OR how the Fair has impacted your life.

Please note that ideas submitted become the property of the Alaska State Fair.

The Fair awarded a total of $8,000 in scholarships to first-place recipient Owen Saltzman, second-place recipient Cassidy Williams, third-place recipient Janae Manley, and honorable mention recipients Alana Lim, Heather Swartz and Shea Post in 2023.

The deadline to apply for the 2024 Alaska State Fair scholarships is Wednesday, March 27 by 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org or contact ASF director of community and corporate relations Kelly Larson at 907-746- 7164 or kelly@alaskastatefair.org.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com