The VAF Youth Leadership Scholarship Contest is for teens age 14-19 who are involved with a VAF-member fair or festival. They could be the next generation of fair and festival management. For this contest, teens submit an application, letter of reference and essay in December and then attend an in-person competition including an interview, prepared speech, PowerPoint presentation and extemporaneous speech in January. Contest day is held during the VAF Convention at the OMNI Homestead Resort in Bath County. Participants can win a portion of over $8000 in post-secondary education scholarships that are available until their 23rd birthday.
The 2021 contest was virtual due to the cancellation of the in-person convention; 10 teens participated. The top 5 finalists from last year were:
1st – Megan Mallory, Madison County Fair; 2nd – Salem Sifford, State Fair of Virginia; 3rd – Madison Sifford, State Fair of Virginia; 4th – Christina Andreyko, Loudoun County Fair; 5th – Rachel Craun, Rockingham County Fair.
Please find the 2022 contest application packet attached. A copy will be uploaded to the VAF website soon at. Please share this opportunity with teens you work with that participate in VAF fairs and festivals. Also help share this with FFA Advisors, co-workers, fair boards, school counselors and other youth advocates who can promote participation. Packets are due to the VCE-Highland office on or before the 1st Friday of December (12/3/21); contest day is Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the OMNI Homestead resort. Both application and contest day components are required. Teens can compete multiple times if they do not win first place.
