Yamaha-ACT 2012-13 Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications

Communicators of Tomorrow Can Apply for Individual and Chapter Scholarships

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 scholarship program that provides financial assistance to members of the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT).  ACT is a national college student association with more than 350 members located on 17 college and university campuses across the country.  ACT’s mission of fostering professional development is at the core of the Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program, now in its fifth year.

The Yamaha-ACT Scholarship Program is broken out into two individual student scholarships and one chapter scholarship.  All three awards are aimed at helping students attend the annual Agricultural Media Summit (AMS), which is the largest gathering of ag media professionals in the country and is the ACT students’ primary career development networking opportunity each year.  The conference is hosted by the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA), the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) and the American Business Media Agri-Council – potentially future employers and colleagues of the students.

“Yamaha congratulates the past winners of these scholarships, and looks forward to working with more students in the coming year,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS marketing manager.  “Yamaha’s goals for this program are to support ag students while spreading the message of safe, responsible use of farm equipment – particularly ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles.”

For the 2012-2013 program, the Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Chapter at University of Illinois received the chapter award, while Danielle Smith of University of Arkansas and Bailey Toates of Oklahoma State University earned individual scholarships.

“We were very excited to be honored with the Yamaha Chapter Award. It’s a great opportunity for our students to learn more about farm safety while using their communications skills to develop engaging articles, advertisements, and more,” said Jennifer Shike, Illini ACT advisor.  “Not only did Yamaha support our students’ professional development opportunities this year, but we were privileged to take part in a top-notch photography workshop as part of our Yamaha award experience. It’s a testimony to Yamaha’s commitment to helping the future of agriculture.”

“I learned a lot at AMS this year and made so many great connections with potential employers, and none of it would have been possible without Yamaha’s support,” Danielle Smith said.  “Events like AMS can be expensive for students to attend, but the scholarship that Yamaha provides gives students the means to be able to attend this outstanding event.  I strongly encourage students to find a way to attend AMS, and applying for this scholarship is a great way to do so.”

“I am very thankful for the opportunity Yamaha has provided me, and honored to be a recipient of this incredible award,” said Bailey Toates.  “Ag Media Summit was an incredible experience and provided numerous learning opportunities.”

Applications are judged based on merit, need and quality of submission materials by a review committee consisting of Yamaha representatives and members of the AAEA and the LPC.  The 2012-2013 application process will run through the end of March 2013 and winners will be announced in late April.  More information and guidelines, along with the application form, will be posted online at www.nactnow.org.

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