The topic of this year’s HPOU Scholarship essay gets right down to opinions and trends involving a growing institution, social media and its effect on law enforcement.
Officially, the essay question is:
Do you feel the perceptions of law enforcement have been helped or hindered by the advent of social media? Choose a position and explain.
Please bear in mind that you can’t post your entries on Facebook. Nor may you tweet them for all to see.
As usual, the scholarship applicants must express their opinions in a special essay entry that is required to meet a deadline set for 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26.
Entrants must be dependents of an active or retired HPOU member. And each one must be a high school senior who will be entering college for the first time in the fall.
Last year the HPOU presented more than 70 scholarships totaling $35,000 – both new records since the program’s inception.
“We expect similar numbers this year, HPOU 2nd Vice President Joe Gamaldi told the Badge & Gun. “We have seen huge increases in the number of applicants as well as the amount of scholarship money awarded. This is always a great way to recognize our greatest asset – our children.”
And those offspring bound for college in the fall won’t get by with just filling out the application (available in this issue). They must also research and opine in an ongoing debate and make their case in an essay of three to four pages dedicated to this year’s topic.
To qualify for a scholarship, a student must:
- Be a dependent of an active or retired member in good standing with the HPOU
- Be a high school senior who will be entering college for the first time
- Submit the application along with a copy of his or her high school transcript
- Submit a written essay of 3-4 pages on a topic that has been selected by the HPOU Education Committee
- Have all these documents and the essay in the office of the Houston Police Officers’ Union by the close of business day provided by the committee. Official transcripts mailed by the student’s school must be postmarked Feb. 27.
The rules require submission of all documents in a letter-sized manila envelope with the applicant’s name on the outside.
The envelope should include the following:
- Completed Application Form
- Official High School Transcript
- The essay
- A completed commitment letter
Please note that the high school transcript must be an OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPT issued from the respective high schools.
Please also note:
- Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.
- Transcripts issued to student/parent will not be accepted.
- Official transcripts that have been opened or the seal broken will not be accepted.
Applicants are reminded not to include letters of recommendation; they will not be included in the scoring process.
Essay Instructions
Applicants should submit in their own words a typed, double-spaced essay three or four pages in length. The paper should be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font with a one-inch margin.
Applicants may attach a cover sheet with his or her name on it; however, the HPOU requests that applicants DO NOT type their names on the essay itself.
Applicants whose submissions are late or do not comply with all the listed criteria will have their application and documents returned. There will be no resubmissions.
The post This year’s HPOU Scholarship topic addresses perception of law enforcement on social media appeared first on Houston Police Officers Union.