On March 29, 1994, Clyde W. Morris, who was supervisor of pupil transportation for the Louisa County Public Schools, made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of his duties to ensure that the safety of all students riding school buses to and from Louisa County Public Schools was not compromised. During the early morning hours following severe storms and heavy rains, Mr. Morris was checking the conditions of the county's roadways to determine if school buses could traverse the roads safely with students on board. Mr. Morris became trapped and drowned in his attempt to escape rising floodwaters.

In recognition of his extreme dedication to the ideals of student safety, the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT) established the Clyde W. Morris Memorial Scholarship in 1995-96 as a tribute to all pupil transportation personnel in the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose ultimate goal is to provide for the safe transportation of all children. In June of each year, a scholarship will be awarded to a Virginia public school senior who is a child or grandchild of any public school pupil transportation employee in the Commonwealth and who is continuing their education beyond the secondary level. The quantity of scholarships and the amount of the scholarship are approved each year by the VAPT Board. A $2500 scholarship has been approved for 2008.

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE
CLYDE W. MORRIS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

1. The recipient of the scholarship will be a Virginia public school senior who has a parent or grandparent employed in a public school pupil transportation field in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
2. Selection of applicants will be based on the following criteria:

• Scholarship - The student shall have a cumulative grade point average (grades 9-11) of 3.0 minimum.

• Leadership - The student shall have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and abilities in co-curricular activities and community service activities.

• Citizenship - The student shall have demonstrated exemplary citizenship qualities which include not only maturity, loyalty, responsibility, integrity, and trustworthiness, but also a concern for the wellbeing of all citizens.

• Service - The student shall have rendered unselfish service and assistance to others, to the school, and to the community.

• Essay - The student shall have explained in a type written essay of not more than 500 words why he/she applied for the scholarship and if named the recipient how the scholarship would be used.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND PLANS FOR AWARDING THE SCHOLARSHIP

1. In the second semester of their senior year, students who meet the general criteria will complete an application in which information supporting excellence in the five areas above will be noted. The application must be typed and contain all information requested (incomplete applications will not be considered). Applications are available from each local transportation office. When completed, all applications should be submitted to the local scholarship selection committee chairperson (or the local Supervisor/Director of Transportation).
2. Additionally, each applicant shall be required to submit a type-written essay (not more than 500 words) which explains why the student has applied and how the student would use the scholarship if named the recipient. The essay must be submitted at the time of application. Applicants are encouraged to proofread their essays for spelling, grammar, and syntax.
3. A selection committee established at each locality shall select from all local applicants a finalist whose application must be submitted to the Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation (VAPT) selection committee no later than April 30. Applications shall not be submitted to VAPT by student applicants.
4. The VAPT selection committee will be responsible for selecting the state's final applicant.
5. The finalist will be notified by the local school Division Superintendent no later than June 1.
6. Official presentation of the scholarship will be awarded at the Annual Pupil Transportation Conference banquet held during the later part of June each year. Applicants do not have to be present to win.

For further information, contact

Linwood Horne, Scholarship Chairperson

                                                      Virginia Association for Pupil Transportation

11375 North Lakeridge Pkwy      

Ashland, VA 23005

804/365-6529 fax

804/365-6522 off