MONTPELIER, — The League of Women Voters of Vermont Education Fund is now accepting applications for its Winona Smith Scholarship program. Created in 1998 to honor the legacy of League leader Winona Smith, the scholarship is awarded annually to local high school seniors who embody the characteristics and qualities Smith displayed of civic participation and community service.

Four $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and scholastic achievement, and come highly recommended by their teacher. Scholarship details can be found at: bit.ly/LWVScholarshipDetails.

Applications, due on May 1, can be completed online at bit.ly/lwvScholarship.

Students need to submit two essays (500 words), one on issues concerning voting rights, and the other on the impact of a recent civic, national or world event. A letter of recommendation from a teacher is also required, bit.ly/ LWVTeacherRec.

The scholarship can be applied towards continuation of education in an accredited vocational-technical or trade school or two- or four-year college or university. Scholarship recipients will be announced on June 1.

Last year, LWV scholarships were awarded to students from Winooski, Burr and Burton Academy, Otter Valley and Missisquoi Valley union high schools. Questions can be directed to Becky Miller, lwvofvt. [email protected].