Ardie Henson Memorial Education Scholarship

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The Ardie Henson Memorial Education Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship given by the Henson family to be awarded to a Farmington High School graduate who plans to major in education or the arts.  Ardith “Ardie” (Province) Henson (‘66) was proud to say she was a Farmington Knight. Ardie moved to Farmington with her mother when she was in middle school. From that time on, Ardie would be true to the black and gold. Ardie was very active as a student at FHS. Activities very dear to her included being a member of the Farmington High School Knight Life staff, a member of the Farmington High School Theater Guild and a twirler in the marching band. An honor very dear to Ardie was her crowning as the 1965 Homecoming Queen.

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Ardie loved the written word. Her favorite classes were those where she could share her gift of writing. She spoke often of the instructors who guided her and gave her inspiration to write. After graduation, Ardie would attend Mineral Area College - where she met the love of her life, Charles (Chuck) Henson. Ardie would take on her most important role of mother to three children – Shawnna (’86), Shannon (‘91), and Keenan (’96). She would take an active role in their lives while they attended FHS by helping to head up and plan both prom and Project Graduation activities. She would also support her husband in his two decades as a teacher and coach at FHS.

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Ardie would use her love of English and writing in a number of ways - serving as a paraprofessional for reading students at FHS and implementing fun activities to aid in reading; writing articles for local publications; and, serving as drama director for the Easter production at First Baptist Church.

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She would also continue her commitment to the betterment of the Farmington School District as a member of the Farmington Educational Foundation and the Farmington High School Hall of Fame Selection Committee. She also served her community as a founding member of the Help the Hungry Bake Sale Committee.

 

Eligibility

 

1. Applicant must be a graduating student of Farmington Senior High School.

2. Applicant should be planning to major in teacher education or the arts (English, writing, theater, music, etc.).

3. Applicant must have exhibited a history of hard work, diligence, and initiative and detail these attributes through letters of reference and anecdotal evidence.

 

Application

 

The following documents must be included with each application:

 

1. A completed and signed application form.

2. Write a 600-word type-written essay that focuses on the applicant’s life experiences and achievements, as well as the applicant’s aspirations for the future.

3. At least two (2) but not more than four (4) written recommendations, half of which are from a Farmington High School faculty or staff member.

4. The most recent official High School transcript.

 

An interview with the applicant may be requested.  Applicant will be notified if an interview is desired.   If no suitable applicant is found, the scholarship committee may choose to not present a scholarship.

 

Disposition of Scholarship Award Money

 

1. The monetary award will either be sent directly to the scholarship winner or to the recipient’s college or vocational technical school.  This will solely be a decision of the scholarship committee.  The scholarship funds must be used for direct expenses incurred while attending either of these post-secondary institutions full time.  Any use of funds not used in this manner must be reimbursed, in full, to the Farmington Educational Foundation. Eligible expenses are tuition, books, fees, and supplies needed for class work.

2. Prior to dispersing this money, the scholarship committee or the Executive Director must receive evidence that the student has enrolled full time.

3. Awards will be dispersed in one lump sum prior to the fall semester of the student’s first year at college.

4. The student is required to notify the Farmington Educational Foundation in the event the student leaves school, reduces the number of credit hours to part time, or any other non-compliance to either the intent of this scholarship program or its expressed requirements.  Student will reimburse the Farmington Educational Foundation for any funds received for the semester affected.

5. The student, by accepting the scholarship funds, agrees to reimburse the Farmington Educational Foundation for any funds received but not used for purposes congruent with the intent and requirements of this scholarship program.