TxDOT Accepting Scholarship Contest Applications

By Sarah Naron

Messenger Reporter

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is currently accepting applications for its 2018 Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarship contest, an opportunity open to all high school seniors attending public, private or home school with intentions to enroll in an accredited college or university in Texas beginning in Fall 2018.

A joint effort between TxDOT and Keep Texas Beautiful, the contest will bestow awards of one $6,000 scholarship and two scholarships of $2,000 each in May, recognizing students who take the initiative to prevent littering in their schools and throughout their communities.

“We’re proud of the Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarship to support higher education in Texas and recognize outstanding students who are using their creativity to beautify their communities,” said campaign program administrator Becky Ozuna.

Applicants must compose an essay consisting of between 300 and 350 words describing what actions they regularly take to support the mission of the Don’t Mess With Texas campaign. The essay should provide information on how the author identified a litter-related issue in his or her school or community, what inspired him or her to act and the creative solution developed to obliterate the problem. Measurable results and statistics which demonstrate the overall effort of the action taken must be included.

Essays may be typed and submitted with an online application or handwritten and mailed with a printed application. Three additional supportive documents or photos may be included.

For verification purposes, applications must also include the names and telephone numbers of at least two adults who provided assistance with the efforts described in the essay. If an author is chosen as a finalist, his or her school counselor may be contacted as a reference.

Winners may be requested to provide a description of their project by partaking in a short video interview.

All applications must be postmarked or received via online submission no later than 5 p.m. Friday, April 20. Printed applications should be sent to the following address:

Don’t Mess With Texas Scholarship

GDC Marketing & Ideation

219 E. Houston St., Suite 350

San Antonio, TX 78205

Students in grade K-12 have the opportunity to have their original artwork included in the 2019 Don’t Mess With Texas calendar by entering the Don’t Mess With Texas K-12 Art Contest.

Entries should promote the litter prevention message held by Don’t Mess With Texas and Keep Texas Beautiful.

The top 13 designs will be selected to appear in the calendar. Winners will receive a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. Teachers of the winning students will receive a $100 gift card for use at H-E-B or Central Market.

All artwork must be submitted by April 20. Winners will be announced in May.

For more information, to apply online or to print an application, visit www.dontmesswithtexas.org.

Sarah Naron may be reached via email at [email protected].