Aventis Offers Scholarship Money To Grow Young Minds

The National Cotton Council announced the creation of three scholarships aimed at assisting college-bound children of American cotton industry members. The "Grown and Made in the U.S.A. Grow Smart" scholarships are funded by Aventis CropScience through a grant to The Cotton Foundation.

January 11, 2001
Contact: Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030

ANAHEIM, CA – The National Cotton Council announced the creation of three scholarships aimed at assisting college-bound children of American cotton industry members. The "Grown and Made in the U.S.A. Grow Smart" scholarships are funded by Aventis CropScience through a grant to The Cotton Foundation.

The announcement was made here today at the 2001 Beltwide Cotton Conferences during the "Grown and Made in the U.S.A. – It Matters" rally.

"We want to demonstrate our commitment to American cotton growers, their families and the future of U.S. agriculture as well as the "Grown and Made in the U.S.A." campaign," said Al Luke, Aventis’ cotton marketing lead.

The campaign helps increase demand for U.S. cotton through efforts to urge consumers to shop for U.S. cotton apparel and home furnishings. National Cotton Women’s Committee (NCWC) volunteers, who conduct the NCC’s "Grown and Made" campaign, will play a key role in increasing awareness of the new scholarships and soliciting applicants.

The three $1,500 scholarships will be available to sons or daughters of U.S. cotton industry members beginning in the 2001-02 academic year. Applicants must be high school seniors with at least a B average and planning to enroll in a four-year agriculture-related curriculum. They also will be required to write an essay on the importance of cotton to U.S. agriculture.

Finalists and winners will be chosen from a panel consisting of representatives from Aventis CropScience, the NCC and the NCWC. Applications will be due by June 2001 and may be submitted online at www.cottonexperts.com or to Scholarship Headquarters, 400 E. Diehl Rd., Naperville, IL 60563.

The inaugural winners will be announced in July 2001, and the scholarship funds will be distributed by August.

Applications and details will be available by Feb. 15, 2001, at www.cottonexperts.com or by writing to Scholarship Headquarters. For more information about the scholarships or the application process, contact Scholarship Headquarters at (630) 505-1100.