The Bucks County Road Runners (BCRR) are pleased to continue our annual BCRR Great Strides Scholarship in 2024. This year, we’ve increased the awards to $2,500 each for one male and one female recipient.
With this scholarship, BCRR will recognize students who demonstrate how the traits of a passionate runner – sportsmanship, discipline, leadership, perseverance – can be applied to tackle challenges in their lives and meaningfully contribute to their communities and future careers.
Applicants should be 2024 graduating seniors at any Bucks County high school who have participated in track or cross country for at least three years. The award can be used for tuition or educational costs for any postsecondary learning, including college, university, or trade school.
Applicants should submit their applications through email to BCRRScholarship@gmail.com no later than 11:59 pm on February 29, 2024 to be considered. Applications should include:
- Essay (500 word maximum): What are your plans, goals, and passions? How has running been integral in teaching lessons and developing traits which will be applicable to those ambitions? What is a specific example (or examples) where you have demonstrated the application of running lessons in overcoming a challenge or showing leadership in your school or community?
- Running Plans (150 word maximum): What plans do you have to continue running either recreationally or competitively in college? Running proficiency itself is not a factor in the award, though we hope the awardees have a dedication to the sport such they will continue in some way after high school.
- Coach’s Letter of Recommendation: Include a recommendation from a coach detailing high school participation, and describing how your participation has led to character growth.
- Second Letter of Recommendation: Include a recommendation from another influential person in your life (teacher, pastor, club leader, etc.). This letter should describe your character traits and how you’ve taken strides to overcome challenges and make a difference in your organization or community.
For the letters of recommendations, you can either have your recommenders email their letters directly to BCRRScholarship@gmail.com or include the letters with your submission.
Recipients will be chosen based on how their essay demonstrates the traits of a passionate runner and their potential to utilize these qualities to make contributions in their future careers and communities. Winners will be notified by April 1, 2024 of their selection, and awards will be presented at the annual Spring Fling (date TBD).
If you have any questions, please contact us at the email address above.