Dale Plank Award

This scholarship was established in 2013 to honor Coach Dale Plank's long career as an educator and coach in the Talawanda School District. This award is to given to graduating Talawanda students pursuing a degree at an accredited two or four year school of higher education.

Award Process NOMINATION:

- The Coaches' Council (all head coaches), which meets in the Spring, will select a list of nominees for the Dale Plank Award.

- Nominees will be notified by the Council and asked to apply.

- Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee (make-up outlined below), and recipients chosen by consensus.

CRITERIA USED IN SELECTION:

- Outstanding effort and achievement in Cross Country and/or Track and Field.

- Academic achievement-Selection committee is looking for students of outstanding character, who give attention to academics but are not necessarily top scholars.

- Character-Donors want to define "character" flexibly, but for the sake of helping the committees of the future chose candidates consistent with Dale Plank's concept of character, will define character as:

a. working hard towards goals through training as well as active communication with coaches and teammates;

b. doing the right thing simply because it's right, not because of a reward or recognition;

c. leading effectively, whether through action or quiet role modeling;

d. looking out for the team by balancing individual desires with team benefits;

e. keeping family in balance with personal time commitments.

APPLICATION Nominees will be asked to write an essay in response to the questions designed by the selection committee.

SELECTION

- A Committee of 4 to 7 people made-up of:

- Oxford Community Foundation member;

- A Cross Country and/or Track Coach;

- A counselor or teacher;

- A community member and/or a member of the Webb family;