Charles L. Plante Book Scholarships Open To High school Seniors

Story and photo by Kerry Phelps Dale

While high school seniors await the results of their college applications, scholarship applications take the forefront in spring.

The Charles L. Plante Book Scholarship offered by the Middleburg Library currently is accepting applications from community scholars. Four $1000 awards are designated for college textbooks for students recognized for academic achievement, community service and their love of literature.

Applicants must reside in a zipcode in the Middleburg area: Middleburg, Marshall, Delaplane, The Plains, Aldie, Upperville, Philomont, Bluemont or Paris. They must also have a Loudoun County library card. “We have attempted to identify local young people who would benefit from this award…kids who would find buying textbooks a financial burden,” said Middleburg Advisory Board President Alix Coolidge.

“Part of our mission,” continued Coolidge, “is to help reduce the stress on students as they go off to school, many of them leaving home for the first time.” Many of the applicants in the past were the first in their family to attend college and had been residents of Windy Hill, graduates of Middleburg and Banneker Elementary schools, and Foxcroft School.

Coolidge added, “As a library board, we also want to foster their love of books with hopes of them supporting their local libraries for years to come.” Lynn Royston Wine, former teacher and scholarship committee member, is so passionate about the students who apply after reading their essays that she often personally donates to provide an additional scholarship each year.

Application forms are available at Middleburg Library or online. For hours, click here. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, May 8.

This article first appeared in the April 2019 issue of Middleburg Life.