Kentucky Youth Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Kentucky Association of Fairs & Horse Shows
Overview
The Kentucky fair scholarship recognizes youth who have actively volunteered at local county fairs and contributed to their communities through fair activities. The program is administered by the Kentucky Fair and Horse Show Association (KAFHS) and is designed to encourage continued involvement in fairs and horse shows. Six statewide scholarships are awarded each year, with two recipients selected from each zone. The award balances recognition of service, personal development, and educational support.
Description: Scholarship for youth volunteers at Kentucky county fairs that rewards sustained participation, leadership, and life-skill development gained through fair activities.
- Program promotes youth engagement at county fairs and horse shows.
- State-level award following local fair nominations.
- Six winners selected annually (two per zone).
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be youth who have actively volunteered at their local fair for at least one year, with many applicants having multiple years of service. Candidates must be seniors in high school or enrolled in post-secondary education (college, trade school, or military) and must not have reached their 21st birthday by the start of October of the application year. Nominations must represent the county of the nominating fair, and each fair may submit only one entry. Local fairs are encouraged to submit an applicant if they hold events of at least three days.
Eligibility: Applicant must be a youth volunteer (minimum one year), a senior or post-secondary student under 21 by October 1, and nominated by the nominating fair representing its county.
- Minimum one year of active volunteer service at the local fair.
- Senior in high school or enrolled in post-secondary studies; under 21 by start of October.
- One entry per fair; nomination must represent the county.
Application Requirements
Applications require a combination of narrative, documentation of participation, and a local recommendation. Applicants must submit a 500–600 word essay describing how fair involvement has enhanced their personal life skills, a list of events/classes entered at the current year’s fair, and a chronological list of responsibilities performed from their first year through the current year. Every application must include a one-page letter of recommendation from the local executive fair board. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Required Materials: Essay (500–600 words), list of events entered, list of duties/responsibilities, and a one-page local fair board recommendation.
- Essay limited to 500–600 words describing life-skill development.
- Include both events participated in and duties performed over the years.
- One-page recommendation from a local executive fair board member is mandatory.
Award Details
Six winners across the state each receive a $2,000 cash scholarship and a commemorative plaque. Two recipients are chosen from each KAFHS zone. Recipients may receive this scholarship only once. Awards are presented at the annual KAFHS meeting in January, providing public recognition in addition to financial support.
Award Value: Each winner receives a $2,000 cash scholarship and a plaque; scholarships are one-time awards.
- $2,000 cash scholarship per winner.
- Commemorative plaque presented with the award.
- Scholarship may be received only once per recipient.
Selection and Timeline
Local fairs select and forward one nominee to the state competition; the state scholarship committee then reviews completed applications. Selection is made by the awards committee at the fall KAFHS meeting, and winners are announced at the KAFHS annual meeting in January. Applications must be submitted by the October deadline; late entries are not considered. All applicants are notified by mail of the outcome, and winners are contacted by phone or text.
Application Timeline: Entries must be submitted by the October deadline; selection occurs at the fall awards committee meeting with awards presented in January.
- State deadline: October (entries postmarked or emailed by/on deadline).
- Selection by awards committee at the fall KAFHS meeting.
- Winners announced and awarded at the January KAFHS annual meeting.
Submission and Contact
Submit completed applications via email to the program administrator. The person submitting the nominee should receive an automated or manual confirmation within a few days; if no confirmation is received, contact the administrator. Applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible to ensure receipt before the October deadline. For questions or additional information, contact the program administrator by email or phone/text.
Contact: Email completed applications to [email protected]. For questions or confirmation, call or text LuAnn at (606) 564-0478.
- Email submissions to [email protected] (use the mailto link above).
- Expect confirmation within a few days; follow up if none is received.
- Phone/text contact: LuAnn at (606) 564-0478 for questions or assistance.
History of the Award
The scholarship is part of longstanding efforts by the Kentucky Fair and Horse Show Association to strengthen participation in county fairs and horse shows. KAFHS has collaborated with fairs—both county fair and free-standing—for decades to develop programs that encourage youth involvement and leadership. This scholarship recognizes the role volunteer experience plays in developing life skills and supporting continued engagement with fairs and agricultural events. The program reinforces connections between local fair communities and statewide recognition.
History of the Award: Established to reward and promote youth volunteerism at Kentucky fairs, reflecting decades of KAFHS partnership with fair organizers and horse shows.
- Developed from decades of KAFHS work with county and free-standing fairs.
- Created to incentivize sustained youth participation and leadership.
- Connects local volunteer service with statewide recognition and support.