Governor's Committee -- Hal Connolly (Text)

Hal Connolly Scholar-Athlete Awards

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMPETITION?

To provide supplemental financial assistance to potential freshman college
students with disabilities who have participated in varsity level athletics.
To encourage the academic success of the winning students.
To promote various jobs related to athletics as valuable career choices.
To further the general goals of the California Governor's Committee by
promoting educational training and employment opportunities for persons with
disabilities.

WHO IS HAL CONNOLLY?

Mr. Connolly exemplifies the positive role of sports participation for students with disabilities. He is an internationally famous United States Olympic gold medallist, winning the hammer throw competition in the 1956 Olympics and competing in three successive Games. His accomplishments are especially noteworthy because one of his arms was substantially injured and paralyzed at birth.

HOW MUCH AWARD MONEY IS AVAILABLE?

A maximum of six $1,000 awards may be granted, three to male students and three to female students. Other finalists will receive engraved bronze medallions. Winners are also eligible to attend the annual Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities sponsored by the Governor's Committee in late summer.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

All current high school seniors who are:

Enrolled in an accredited California public or private high school.
Age 19 or under on January 1 of the same year calendar you are applying for.
With a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better.
Who have competed during high school in varsity or equivalent level competitive athletics.
Who have a disability*.
Applicants must be California residents who plan to attend accredited colleges or universities. Students must submit a complete packet consisting of the application, plus six other items (listed on the application) for consideration. It is not necessary for students to plan on formally participating in a college athletic activity to qualify.

* The Americans with Disabilities Act defines an "individual with a disability" as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

HOW CAN YOU USE THE AWARD MONEY?

The award money is contingent upon each winner's acceptance to an accredited college and must be used for tuition, books or other educational expenses.

WHAT ARE THE JUDGING STANDARDS?

Students' academic and athletic histories must demonstrate qualities of leadership and accomplishment. Judges will rate:

(1) 15% cumulative grade point average;

(2) 15% student's cumulative grade point average as it relates to the nature of
the student's disability;

(3) 30% athletic accomplishments as they relate to the student's disability;

(4) 25% essay regarding school and community activities; and

(5) 15% overall personal achievement.

Top finalists may be interviewed before final selections are made. Judging is conducted by the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, and the decisions of the judges are final.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Application forms are available from high school counseling offices, from this web site and from the Governor's Committee's staff office. Requests can be sent to:

California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Employment Development Department
800 Capitol Mall, MIC 41
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 654-8055 voice
(916) 654-9820 TTY
(916) 654-9821 FAX
(800) 695 - 0350

All award money is privately donated. Past contributors include:
International Association of Personnel in Employment Security (IAPES),
and Friends of the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, Inc.

Deadline to apply for the 20th Annual Hal Connolly Scholar-Athlete Awards
is February 1, 2004.

Winners of the 20th Annual Hal Connolly Scholar-Athlete Awards
will be announced May 31, 2004.