ATLANTA – State Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) will award two deserving students in his Senate District $1,000 scholarships each to assist them in pursuing a higher education.  Sen. Smith, who is the youngest member of the Georgia Senate is a firm believer in higher education, and believes it is his duty to give back to a community that has given so much to him.

“I want to do something to help the young people in my senate district realize their dreams,” Sen. Smith, who attended Baylor University on a full scholarship, said.  “An educated community is a successful community, and I am committed to doing all I can to see that students who want to attend college are able to do so.”

The scholarships will be awarded to one male and one female high school senior living within Senate District 52.  The student must have a 3.0 grade point average, and must enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited college, university, or technical school located within the United States no later than the fall of 2004.

Applicants must include letters of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor and from another adult who is not a family member.  Essays written by the student describing educational and career objectives, and a description of a defining moment in which the student overcame an obstacle that shaped the course of his or her life also will be required, along with the scholarship application.

The Senatorial Scholarship recipients will be chosen by an impartial review committee, and while financial need will be considered, it will not be the determining factor.

The deadline for submitting the scholarship application package is April 30, 2004, and students will be notified after May 15.

“As the father of four children, I know how important a good education is,” Sen. Smith continued, “and I want to do what I can to help the young people in my community receive the best possible education so they are able to succeed as adults.  So many people have done so much for me, and I just want to do my part to ‘pay it forward.’”

For more information on the Senatorial Scholarships, please contact Senator Smith’s office at 404.651.7738.