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James P. Jones Scholarship

James P. Jones James (Jim) P. Jones worked for Edmonton Public Schools for nearly three decades (1960–1987). For the last twenty years, he was the supervisor of second languages. Under his guidance and leadership, bilingual and immersion programs in the Division grew to be among the best in North America. Jim was instrumental in starting and overseeing these programs, including writing the curriculum for them.

Jim also had a passion for music. He played the trumpet from an early age and started the first stage band in Edmonton Public Schools, at Bonnie Doon High School. Jim married his wife Barbara in 1962 and they had three children together. Later in life, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis; however, he continued to work for 18 years after his diagnosis because that's how important these programs were to him. Jim's friends and family, along with language teachers at Edmonton Public Schools, established this scholarship to acknowledge his tremendous work and dedication.  

PURPOSE

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize a student at Edmonton Public Schools who is completing high school in the current year, taking 30-level French courses, demonstrates excellent academic performance and citizenship, and a positive attitude towards learning French, with a sincere interest in continuing French language studies beyond high school.

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $600 

CRITERIA 

An applicant must:

  • be registered at an Edmonton Public Schools high school, completing high school in the current year and taking 30-level French courses
  • demonstrate excellent academic performance and citizenship, and a positive attitude towards learning French
  • have a sincere interest in continuing French language studies beyond high school

The school principal will be asked to: 

  • support the student’s application for this scholarship
  • verify the applicant demonstrates excellent academic performance and citizenship
  • explain what makes the applicant a worthy recipient of this scholarship

Application process

GET READY TO APPLY 

Before completing the application form, the applicant must: 

  • get a signed letter of recommendation from one of their past or present French teachers
  • write a maximum 500-word letter, written in French, to the selection team in which the student describes evidence of their commitment to the French language and how they intend to continue French language studies beyond high school 

Application process

Applications for the 2024-25 award will open in February 2025.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants will be contacted in May to participate in an oral interview and a short written assignment, both in French. The selection team will rank each submission on the applicant's:

  • academic performance and citizenship
  • attitude towards learning French
  • interest in continuing French language studies beyond high school

The recipient will be contacted in June.