It Is Time For The 2008 Arizona Is Home Scholarship.

This year, I am doing something new for the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship. The winner will be the first student to be awarded a scholarship by participating in a Web 2.0 scholarship program. Applicants for the “Arizona Is My Home” will develop a Blog thread with his/her Arizona hometown being the central theme. This year’s recipient will be my fourth $2500 scholarship awarded.

Web 2.0 is a concept that has many meanings on the web. My interpretation of Web 2.0 is that web visitors have an opportunity to interact with those that write the content. So my focus this year is on using Blog’s to share ideas.

For the 2008-2009 “Arizona Is My Home” scholarship, students will create Blog entries. Then, visitors to the site will comment on the student’s thoughts. Each student participating will have an opportunity to develop his/her idea fully and establish a community of readers.

My goal is to help provide students a forum to learn and understand how to use the web to create and promote their own ideas. I also want readers to discover why Arizona is such a great place to call home.

There is still two additional changes to this year’s scholarship. This year’s scholarship Participants will have two choices for the writing prompt. One option is to create a piece that promotes his/her Arizona hometown and encourages others to consider making it their home also. The second choice is to write on the experience of losing a home. This second option was chosen to link faces to a tragedy that is destroying families and communities across Arizona.

The second change is that the scholarship is open for use at any accredited school in Arizona. This should help those that have chosen to attend proprietary schools like The University of Phoenix or the Arizona Culinary Institute.

The directions on how you can become a participant are below. Please be sure to read them carefully. If you have questions, you are always welcome to write me at chapman@westusa.com for additional help.

The “Arizona Is My Home” Rules and Regulations

1. The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship Writing Prompt (Two Options Available)

The first option is for individuals who already live in an Arizona town or city. The focus of the prompt is to develop an essay with his/her Arizona hometown being the focus. Students are encouraged to create a piece that promotes his/her Arizona hometown and encourages others to consider making it their home also.

The second option is in response to the increased number of families who have lost their home or may lose a home in the near future. Students will either Blog about what home means by explaining the loss of a home or the experience of moving into a home after not having a home of their own.

2. Initial foundation Blog posts should be long enough to establish premises that will enable readers to understand and comment.

3. Participants must add to their concept, reflect and respond to the comments of readers.

4. Blog entries must be written in English.

5. Language and concepts must be appropriate for a General or G Rated audience. Violation of this rule will result in immediate termination of the participant’s account.

6. All work submitted must be original, authored solely and completely by the applicant.

7. Each Blog thread will be judged based on the number of comments received, the structure of the concepts developed and the number of other Blog’s or websites that mention or comment on the participant’s concept or idea.

8. Each participant shall establish an account on the Arizonan.com. Then, follow these simple steps to become a participant in the “Arizona Is Home Scholarship” program.

Step 1: Go to http://www.arizonan.com/wp-login.php?action=register or by click on the login link at the bottom of the site. Enter a user name and email address. Remember that both the user name and password will be case sensitive.

Step 2: Go to your email account and complete the registration process.

Step 3: To http://www.arizonan.com/wp-admin/profile.php or click log in link at the bottom of the http://www.arizonan.com website. Then, click on the profile link in the upper right hand side of the page. The first link is much easier.

Step 4: Complete the profile information. For website, place your current school’s website or the website of the school you will be attending. Pay close attention to the biography portion of the profile. This will one of the elements reviewed in determining the winner.

Step 5: Blog your idea and develop a following. Blog about your ideas on other Blog’s and encourage others to visit your Blog on the Arizonan.com. Respond to comments and add to your concept on a regular basis.

The focus of this scholarship is to encourage students to learn how to use the power of the web to share their own ideas and motivate others. The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship was designed to be the first of its kind - Web 2.0 Scholarship.

9. Winners will be notified by phone and/or mail. Complete results will be posted at www.Arizonan.com. All submissions become the sole property of Carl Chapman and may be republished in whole or in part. Carl Chapman reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submissions do not meet contest standards or criteria.

10. Scholarship monies become available to successful applicants who are full-time matriculated students. Participants must have completed 12 credit hours at the students Arizona school, college or university from which they seek to graduate

The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship may be applied for and awarded to a student prior to completing this above stated requirement. However, funds will be held until the final requirement is met.

11. The scholarship monies will be paid to the student’s college or university, after Carl Chapman receives notification from the college or university of the student’s qualifying standing. Payments will only be issued to Arizona colleges or universities. New this year, students of private and for profit schools are eligible to participate.

12. All requirements of the scholarship must be met within 12 months of the awards. Failure to meet these requirements will result in loss of the award.

13. Unused scholarship funds will be held for future scholarship programs.

14. The “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship can be applied for and awarded to a student prior to completing required conditions, by students who have been accepted to a Arizona college or university and by students who are currently enrolled and attending an Arizona college or university.

15. “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship Timetable:

May 22, 2009 - The scholarship winner will be notified.

16. Employees of Carl Chapman and their family members are not eligible to participate.

17. Carl Chapman shall be the sole judge of all entries and his decision shall be final.

All Participants agree to abide by the rules of the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship program. Participants attest that all of the information provided is true and complete and may be verified through any means necessary.

18. By participating in the “Arizona Is My Home” Scholarship, certify that all submissions and writings are original, authored solely by the participant, and are not plagiarized or otherwise infringed upon the rights of any third party. Participants authorize Carl Chapman to confirm any details in this application by contacting the appropriate person(s).

19. Acceptance of the scholarship constitutes permission to use the winner’s names and/or likenesses for advertising, trade, and publicity purposes without further compensation. Carl Chapman also reserves all rights, including the right to edit, publish, use, adapt or modify any entry, including any personal information about the scholarship recipient and/or applicant quote, picture, essay, school name or year in school, without further consideration or payment to the scholarship recipient and/or applicant. Participants grant permission to share this information for the purpose of news media releases and/or commerce and/or assignee’s.

Writings may be published in whole or in part by Carl Chapman or by other parties associated, with Carl Chapman’s written permission. Carl Chapman reserves the right not to publish any essay it deems inappropriate for any reason. Carl Chapman reserves the right not to award a prize or any prizes when submissions do not meet contest standards or criteria.

20. Release of Information for Scholarships:

By submitting content and participating in the Arizona Is Home Scholarship program, Participants authorize the School, College or University to deposit any co-payable checks without my endorsement in order to expedite my scholarship award. Furthermore, participants authorize the release of academic and financial information to scholarship donors.

I am happy to confirm that I will be offering another scholarship this year. This will be the forth scholarship of $2500 dollars that I have given to an Arizona student. Giving Arizona student’s $10,000 over the past three years has been a lot. But, we all need to give as much to education as we can. Especially when the economy is slow. That is when students need the money the most.

This year will be a little different. Participants will use Web 2.0 processes to share their ideas and thoughts. The deadline will be in May, but in order to make it to the final review, students will need to start the process within the next few weeks.

Details on how this work will be announced in the next few days. Tell your friends.

Carl

With but a few days left before I made the move from Tucson up to my dorm room and new “home” of Flagstaff, I was most certainly on a time crunch. There was so much to do and so many people to see that finding time for anything seemed nothing short of impossible. In the attempt to keep myself sane, every night I would go out on a walk or run in the beautiful desert areas surrounding my house without regard for time or light left or tasks to be accomplished when I returned from my excursion. When I ran, I didn’t really pay attention to the little details going on around me, but when I walked, and focused on taking everything in, I noticed so many breathtaking sites and innumerable memories flooded my head. I would sit on top of a hill in the Arizona National Golf Course and watch the sunset over the mountains and realize as all the lights came on and the stars came into view that I still needed to get home. Something I noticed in the preparation for the moving process is how much more you appreciate things that you had before taken for granted when you know that you are about to lose them. Before I had enjoyed numerous sunsets, walks up Sabino Canyon and hours exploring the hidden corners of Tucson and hadn’t really thought much of it. It was standard and I suddenly realized that these would no longer be staples of my life. Then I remembered all of the fantastic things that Flagstaff has to offer and how I would be experiencing the diversity that Arizona offers and my excitement was restored.

The most amazing thing about Arizona, as I have come to discover over years in Tucson, summers in the White Mountains and now going on a month in Flagstaff, is its diversity. Every corner of the state holds a new climate, different vegetation and varied wildlife. You can go from looking at Indian artifacts in Tucson to shopping the stores of Phoenix to hiking the trails surrounding Flagstaff in only a few hours. The options are limitless and if you negate the fact that we lack a beach, Arizona has it all. I love when people come to visit and are astounded that we don’t get around on horses and all wear cowboy boots. They expect things like cactus and horses but are always taken aback by our advanced technology, elegant spas, country clubs, and abundance of pine forest. In being so dynamic, we provide an option for every taste.

This diversity is demonstrated beautifully by my hometown of Tucson, Arizona. We are a desert region and surrounded by mountains. In the summer, every pool is full of laughing children and protective parents with nights spent in movie theaters and eating dinner on outside decks. In addition, the Catalina Mountain Range is about a 45-minute drive to the top where Tucsonans go to escape the heat and enjoy picnics and hikes. Then in the winter you can partake in the snow that is dumped on the surrounding mountains, go to the zoo, or hike the trails in Sabino Canyon. You can actually do the last two things year-round but they are more enjoyable in the winter because the temperature isn’t ninety degrees by eight o’clock in the morning. I like to think of Tucson as containing all the wonderful parts of Arizona in one city and I know this because I have had the honor of traveling all over this wonderful state. I would spend most of my summers in the White Mountains assisting my uncle at his dog training camp. Numerous weekends were spent in Douglas and Bisbee visiting where my dad grew up. Saturday mornings would involve trips down to Benson or Sedona for breakfast with my best friend and her parents. Every February my choir would travel up to Flagstaff for Northern Arizona University’s Jazz and Madrigal Festival. It seems that no other state in the country has as many diverse activities as Arizona does.

I’ve had the pleasure of finding hidden meadows and canyon ridges, riding on horseback through open fields and running through corn fields and scaring up crows enjoying a snack. I’ve discovered that the best breakfast food can be found at the locally owned places, which I try to frequent as much as possible. I have no desire to repeat myself over and over but there really is nothing like an Arizona sunset and sunrise from the rim of the Grand Canyon. In addition, whether it is from my perch on the golf course or looking out the window of my dorm room, I am enchanted with the amazing state of Arizona that I was fortunate enough to have been raised in.

Since I was born, I have lived in Arizona and I have loved every moment I have spent here. Where I currently live in the Ahwatukee Foothills area, there are many positive aspects.

The area is fairly wealthy with nice houses and institutions surrounding for convenience. Neighborhoods are very organized and space efficient because of the growing population. Most houses have to answer to the homeowner’s association which ensures the lasting neatness of the community. Buildings like the fire house,  restaurants, and banks are all nicely built and are very pretty.

Areas with lots of shopping and restaurants look and feel fun. Here people can gather, eat dinner, and shop all they please. The small malls make the area look nicer and give added significance to the community. Traffic is under control and not extreme in the least bit. It is easily avoidable if one chooses to travel at a different time of the day. Parking lots are generally big and not always filled, only on weekends or at busy times during the day.

The environment is particularly pretty. There are many small lakes, grassy areas, trees, and mountains surrounding the Foothills. Many homes back up right to preserves and get to enjoy the wildlife firsthand. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, especially because of the lasting beauty my community holds. I would urge anyone looking for a home or seeking a worthy place to live to consider the Foothills. These and many other aspects make our community very unique, enjoyable, and fun to live in and around.

Apache Junction’s primary historic attraction are is the Superstition Mountains, the site of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Many people are still challenged by the thought of discovering the Lost Mine and search the mountains for its location. 

The name of the mountains, of which Superstition Peak at 5,057 feet is the highest, can be attributed to the legends and stories of the near-by Pima Indians. 

’s primary historic attraction are is the Superstition Mountains, the site of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Many people are still challenged by the thought of discovering the Lost Mine and search the mountains for its location. 

The name of the mountains, of which Superstition Peak at 5,057 feet is the highest, can be attributed to the legends and stories of the near-by Pima Indians.

    Sometimes moving can be the hardest thing in life, letting go of everything familiar and safe and risking it on the unknown frontier. At least that is what I have been told. From the first day I was ever in Arizona, however, I had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I was in the right place. Traveling down through Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon I was given a deep respect for the natural beauty there and all throughout Arizona. When I first reached Phoenix, I was at first awed by its gigantic size and population; my little town in Idaho had only 1500 people in it, compared to Phoenix, it was no larger than some high schools! It all came together for me though, standing on a warm spring night on the University Bridge at ASU watching the cars go by with my best friend. I had never been more sure that the feeling in the back of my mind was what it felt like to be where I belonged, to be at home.

    For two years, I lived off campus, biking or busing for twenty minutes from Priest and Baseline to my classes at the ASU campus. Everyday I saw something new to me, whether it was a crazy new fashion statement or simply enjoying the experience of  biking down a beautiful avenue in the dusk, I came to appreciate a far more diverse and rich world than I had ever known. All around me now were people of every race and culture, many of whom were also attending ASU. Such occurrences could never have happened to me in Idaho, and because of them I have became more aware of the world outside of myself.

    When I turned 18 in 2004 I exercised my right to vote in the primaries for the first time ever here in Arizona (I am still registered in Maricopa County). In many ways, my coming of age occurred here in ASU, in physical, political, academic, and spiritual ways. I used to think that two years was nothing, just a blink of an eye, but these past two have felt like their were full of a whole lifetime’s worth of experiences. I worked with children in ASU’s Service Learning Program, helping encourage them from an early age to continue their education and pursue their dreams. I volunteered at Paz de Cristo Community Center making food and distributing to those who need it. I helped at the Astronomy Fair in the spring of 2005, where I helped open the eyes of children to the wonders of Mars and space exploration. I have also worked 20 hours a week since the spring of 2005, first as a cook and since last fall, as a tutor. All of these things began the process of making Arizona my home, but perhaps the most influential of all my experiences, the one that really, truly, makes Arizona more than just a great state but also my home, occurred to me last winter (2005), during Christmas break.

    I was broke, plain and simple. I had no means of transportation back to Idaho to spend Christmas with my family; none of us could afford the plane ticket to bring me there. I cannot deny that I was disappointed and sad that I was going to have to spend Christmas by myself. I mentioned this in passing to a classmate of mine while studying for a math final, and the next day I was invited by their entire family to spend Christmas with them instead. There are those who celebrate Christmas and those who don’t, but I believe everyone can understand how moved I was that this family would welcome me with open arms as one of their own on Christmas. I joyfully accepted their invitation and was treated to a Christmas as I have never experienced before. I helped knead and bake bread which was given out as gifts to neighbors and friends; I sang Christmas carols with their friends and family; I spent Christmas morning watching my friends and their family open their presents, and before I knew it, there were presents before me and I was no longer just a friend, I was family too.

    I have had time, since then, to reflect on my life and those things which truly matter to me most. I love my school, Tempe, Phoenix, and the whole state of Arizona. However, I have realized that without those people who occupy and give life to it all, there is nothing that could cause Arizona to feel like home to me. More than just the family who took me in, though they were just by far the best example, in a thousand little ways there have been men, women, and children here in Arizona that have made my life richer for knowing them. A family with no one in it is not a family, and a city without its inhabitants is just rocks and dust. There are many reasons why I may call Arizona my home, but the reason, which outshines all others in my mind, is that Arizona is my home because the people here have been a part of many of the experiences of my life that now defines who I am and will be. They support and care for me, not as an outsider as I once was, but as one who belongs here, as family, in our home.

    Deep in the heart of Arizona, surrounded by beautiful mountains such as Piestewa Peak, Camelback Mountain, and South Mountain, there is a city that stands above all the rest: Tempe. It is the home I’ve known my whole life, I was born here.

    Tempe is home to Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities in the nation. Along with its Pulitzer and Nobel Prize faculty, it is also a class-one research institution. In 2006-07, ASU had more national merit scholars than any other public university in the country. World-class musical and dramatic productions come to Grady Gammage Memorial building, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

    The city of Tempe has a youthful energy. I don’t mean only a young feel, but instead it has a comforting feel. The people are friendly, with much diversity, allowing people to be exposed to different walks of life. Whether you’re at the Lakeshore Properties, or just plain campus housing, people are full of energy and happiness, and want to share it.

While filled with a youthful energy, Tempe still preserves its heritage and many of its old traditions. Downtown Tempe, on Mill Avenue, was completely rebuilt, from the tree-lined streets to the red brick buildings. Charles Trumbell Hayden, our founding father, hiked up Tempe Butte in 1869, he liked what he saw. I too like what I see as I look out over my beautiful city. On any given night, I can walk the streets and see a cornucopia of culture, from the bongo player on the corner, to the artist painting on the sidewalk.

    Tempe Town Lake is a recent addition to the city’s attractions. Tempe Town Lake Park includes a water park for children, a baseball field, and a pleasant picnic area. As a child, my Mom would take my sister and me to the Tempe library on Southern and Rural. After choosing our books, we would go outside to the grassy knolls, well maintained by the city and run down the small hill with our arms outstretched and thrill at the feel of the wind blowing through our fingers. We have open land like this at Kiwanis Park on Guadalupe and All American Way. We have 47 parks and 6 golf courses with two of them being municipally owned. Tempe’s Diablo Stadium is also home to the spring training camp of the Anaheim Angels and the Oakland A’s have made their spring training home in the Papago Park area of Tempe.

    Last year I helped on a project recording the WWII memories of our older citizens on video and audio tape. Transcriptions were included and archived in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. and at the State Archives of Arizona. I learned how you live is the most important lesson to learn.

    Close to my house is Clark Park Pool. It is where I was taught to swim. It is where I participated in swim team. During the summer, when it was 110º I could walk down the street, pay seventy-five cents, and swim to my heart’s content. There is also a playground outside of the pool, where my family would often eat a picnic lunch.

    I attend school as a senior at Tempe High, which next year will celebrate its 100th graduating class. Tempe High, unlike many of the south Tempe schools, is very diverse.

    Tempe has a large minority population consisting of Hispanics, African-Americans, and even some Pacific Islanders. This, I believe, has been a great benefit to me. While Tempe High is not the highest-testing school, I have learned many things that I believe no other school could provide. I have learned about racial diversity and tolerance. When I see a person, I don’t see black, white, or brown, I see a person.

    While small in size, Tempe is large in stature, with its influences often reaching far beyond its boarders, such as in the case of devolving vital technologies for the Pathfinder robot on Mars. Tempe is a Community of people, people make the place, and the place helps create our experiences

Tempe, Arizona is a city like no other. With a rich night life, perfect weather, and one of the best universities in the country, it is no surprise that this is the perfect city. Tempe is home to many spectacular things such as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, spring training center for the MLB, and the ASU Sun Devils. With these many attractions, one could never be bored here!

The perfect day alone would consist of a day shopping on Mill Ave, going to one of the many festivals at Tempe Beach Park, boat paddling on Tempe Town Lake, eating at In-N-Out, and finally an ASU football game. This city is so full of life with young and vibrant college students, along with the locals. This is an ideal city for the fresh out-of-high school student or one who is looking to retire here. Especially since Scottsdale, Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa are all neighboring cities!

 Tempe, AZ is especially close to my heart because it reminds me of home. Here in Tempe, I feel like I’m still in California with my family and friends. The warm weather and friendly atmosphere definitely helps with the transition of moving away from my family. I could not see myself going anywhere else than ASU and living in Tempe. I can honestly say that I can call this place my home. That’s what makes Tempe, AZ so special.

    They always say that home is where the heart is and one does not fully realize where their heart truly lies until they go out into the world. Well my heart truly lies in a town nestled in the White Mountains of Arizona, Show Low. A town that was named by the flip of a card, survived a rodeo fire as a community, and filled my head with some of the greatest memories I will ever have.

    C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark were two gentlemen who played a name deciding card game. These two men concluded that the settlement was not big enough for the both of them and that a card game would decide who stayed and who moved. Clark told Cooley who ever showed low could stay. Cooley flipped his card and it was the deuce of clubs and said, “Show Low it is.”  This was how the town came to be known as Show Low, and the main road through town bares the name “Deuce of Clubs.” The town has an estimated population of 9,365 as of 2004 and this population is a very tight net community that supports each other.

    The community was put to a great test in the summer of 2002 when a forest fire known as the Rodeo Chediski fire ripped through the mountains with its bearings set straight for Show Low and its out lying communities. Linden, which sits right out of Show Low, was evacuated first and shortly after Show Low was as well. No one knew where to go or what to do with their animals. It was always a far-fetched thought of a fire ripping through our town but it was happening. Those families that did not have to evacuate stepped up and offered to help by taking in those that had to no place to go. By letting people leave their pets with them. This was only the beginning though. The fire was stopped before reaching Show Low but the outlying communities were burned. The town people though formed fund raising events and donations for all those who lost their homes. With everybody working together, we managed to survive the fire and restore the homes that were lost.

    Now when most people think of small town life it sounds really boring and just would not be a great place to live. Well Show Low does not fall into the boring town genre. There are many activities for one to participate in. The city has many leagues for children to adults. There is Little League Baseball and Softball, City League Softball, City League Basketball for children and adults, AYSO and City Football. Show Low is just an hour from Sunrise Ski Resort. The snow can be great there and they have three mountains that you can ride. The classes they give for snowboarders and skiers are top notch. I would know because I was a snowboard instructor there. There is a wide selection of campgrounds and lakes that surround Show Low. These activities are a great way to get out and meet new people from around town.

    Show Low is a diamond in the rough that is waiting to be discovered. Those of us that have discovered it know that it’s a great place to raise a family, retire, or just to vacation. It has a community that looks out for each other despite any other factors. Someone will always be there for you when you need help. Activities that could keep you and your friends busy for hours. Helping to create some of the greatest memories you will have. Watching your child chase the soccer ball down the field just kicking away at it. The kind of memories that you store away in scrapbooks to show off at your child’s graduation. Show Low is my hometown and I will never forget all the memories I have here and hope that others will find what I did there.

    I have lived in Arizona all my life. I was born in Mesa, Arizona about eighteen years ago and then moved to Show Low, Arizona as a small child. My hometown would technically be Phoenix but the place I call home is Show Low, Arizona. I grew up in Show Low, which is a small, remote town. I lived here for about thirteen great years. Every time I think of my home and hometown, I get an image of the mountains covered in fresh snow and the huge pine trees swaying in the wind. I remember as a kid, putting my snow boots and cap on to walk to school with my sister. All these memories make me remember how great it was to live in such a small but friendly town.

    The experience of just living in a small town was such a great pleasure. In most towns, it’s dangerous to just cross the streets without an adult. In Show Low, everyone knows everyone and trusts them. Everywhere you look, kids roam the streets on bikes, playing, having a great time. There are also tons of fun activities to do. It’s fun to just get friends together and camp under the bright star-filled sky. There are many trails to hike, mountain bike, or quad on for entertainment. No, there is no mall to hang out at, and the closest mall is probably about three hours away. No, there are no theme parks or adventure rides, however I still love this town with all my heart. This could be why everyone from here is so close and no one ever wants to leave this town.

    Arizona is the state of heat; therefore, it’s hard for some people to believe there are towns with cooler climates. Some people find it hard to believe that Arizona even has mountains. When visitors come and visit our town or drive through it, many fall in love with it also. I think it’s the perfect place to raise a loving family because you know you have a community behind you and helping. The weather is perfect. Half the year it’s snowy and beautiful, the other half it’s not extremely hot but it is just warm enough. The people here are great and there are tons of fun adventures, and hands on activities to do. You can camp, ski, hike, hunt, and quad, which are activities, that big towns do not offer. Those are just the outdoor activities; Show Low really is the perfect place to get away from the hectic world and to enjoy the good, simple things in life. I do not live in Show Low any more. My family had to move about five years ago however, I still visit Show Low and the people every chance I get. I still consider this place my home and cannot wait to one day go back and raise my own family there. Show Low is to me, my hometown and will always have a place in my heart.