PVHA Young Historian Award

Application deadline—April 25, 2019

Background

The Young Historian Award was initiated by a donor to The Santa Cruz Community Foundation in respectful memory of Betty Lewis, Watsonville Historian, Alzora Snyder, Margaret Hayes, Hubert Wyckoff, Bernice Porter and many others who have illuminated our heritage as the foundation of the future for the Pajaro Valley.  The donor approached the Pajaro Valley Historical Association (PVHA) about administering this award and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County about providing for the award from a donor advised fund supported by the donor.

The PVHA expressed interest in administering the award, and agreed to outlining criteria for the award, setting up the application process, and fulfilling other responsibilities

Award Description

The Young Historian Award will be offered annually to an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to the study, conservation/preservation, or enhancement of the history of the Pajaro Valley.  The award will be a single award of $500.


Eligible Activities/Projects

The scope of appropriate activities/projects may include regions adjacent to the Pajaro Valley as long as it is demonstrated how they impact the Pajaro Valley, and may be broadly interpreted to include a variety of efforts, including but not limited to the following:

  • research papers, including those that have been prepared as a class assignment from a high school or college/university
  • publications/media
  • volunteer work for an organization (organization must provide documentation of volunteer hours)
  • being a docent
  • restoration of objects or sites
  • public performance or re-enactments
  • art or exhibits depicting local history
  • oral histories
  • genealogical studies
  • digital documentaries

Eligible projects must have taken place or been completed within the last 12 months prior to the application deadline. In the case of volunteer activities, some portion of the service must have occurred in the last 12 months prior to the application deadline.

Download Application

Download application form

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Applicant Criteria

The recipient of the award shall be an individual or group who:

  • meet the age criteria and, in the case of a group project, have a majority of members between the ages of 16 and 25 when engaged in the activity/project
  • Did not receive any compensation for the activity or project other than for materials, travel expenses or other out-of-pocket costs related to the activity or project
  • Have not received the Young Historian Award in a previous year. However previous applicants for the Young Historians Award are encouraged to re-apply.

Application/Selection Process

Applications must be self-initiated. Applicants must complete and submit an application to the PVHA prior to the deadline. Applications will be available at the PVHA, and also available on website at pajarovalleyhistory.org as well as other locations to be determined.

In addition to the application, the applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from a person or organization that is familiar with the applicant’s project or activity.

Selection of the award recipient will be determined by a panel composed of at least three individuals recognized for their knowledge of the history of the Pajaro Valley.  The panel will be convened by the PVHA. Panelists may NOT include individuals who have family members among the applicants.  Panelists may include individuals who may have written letters of recommendation for the applicants, but must excuse themselves from voting in the selections.

The panel will review all applications and in selecting the winner the panel will place priority on the following considerations:

  • How closely the project/activity relates to the Pajaro Valley
  • The commitment/perseverance of the applicant to the project/activity
  • The quality of the project/activity – especially as it relates to the age of the applicant

Additional consideration will be given to projects/activities that show creativity, initiative, collaboration, and/or innovation.

Application Timeline (2019)

Early Nov. 2018              Applications available
Submission Deadline     April 25, 2019

Selection Timeline

Applicants notified         Early-mid May

Media notification          Mid May

Vintage Picnic                 Late June

QUESTIONS:   Contact the Pajaro Valley Historical Association at info@pajarovalleyhistory.org or phone (831)722-0305, attention Susan Jacobs

The Young Historian Award is made possible by a donor fund at the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County and supported by the Pajaro Valley Historical Association

 

Young Historical Award 2009 – 2018 Previous Winners

The Young Historian Award was initiated in 2009 by a donor to the Santa Cruz Community Foundation and the Pajaro Valley Historical Association was asked to administer the program. 

People for over 150 years have illuminated our heritage which is the foundation of the future for the Pajaro Valley.   The Young Historian Award is offered annually to an individual or group, age 16 to 25 years of age who has made a significant contribution to the study, conservation, preservation, or enhancement of the history of the Pajaro Valley.  This award is a single award of $500.00.  Eligible activities and projects may be wide ranging and only limited by the enthusiasm and creativity of the applicant.

 The following is a description of the past winners:

  • 2009:  A video of the first Gay Pride celebration held in Watsonville.  Additional awards of $100 were awarded to a report of the starting of the Young Farmers and Ranchers organization, and a video of Cesar Chavez and the labor movement of the UFW.
  • 2010:  Three awards of $100.00 each were presented for a report of volunteer work done at the PVHA, a written history of the non-profit organization Jacobs Heart, and a time line for young students on the Watsonville Airport.
  • 2011: An oral history and subsequent graphic book of the recipient’s grandfather, an immigrant from the Philippines.
  • 2012:  The construction of a prayer garden and a history of prayer gardens on the school grounds.  This project was also used by the recipient for the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts.
  • 2013:  The creation of a DVD to accompany the Watsonville High School Centennial yearbook and an update with more recent pictures since 1992.  In addition the following were awarded $100 for a report on the history of a local farm business, a report of volunteer work at PVHA, a description of volunteer work done at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and a written history of the applicant’s grandfather who is a respected member of the Pajaro Valley.
  • 2014: A family history was written and given to PVHA archive to store in their file for family members, current and future, to view and make additions to in the future
  • 2015: A research paper on a local sports hero of the 1950’s and 1960’s who went on to a professional career in the NBA. In addition, four other projects including a booklet of Watsonville Apple labels, Victorian homes, History of the Pajaro Valley Water Management Association and a report of the Royal Oaks Park restoration were each awarded $100.00.
  • 2016: Video presentation of the opening and cataloguing of a box of memorabilia entrusted to the Pajaro Valley Historical Association by Charles Lord nephew of A. Mae Lord beloved WUHS English teacher from 1923 to 1961. The award was shared by two CEIBA school students.
  • 2017: Papers written about “Women Pioneers of the Pajaro Valley,” “History of S. Martinelli & Co”. Three other entries were awarded $100.00 each
  • 2018: Paper on the historical timeline of the railroads in the Pajaro Valley. Her interest in the railroads was spurred by the fact that her Great Grandfather was a participant in the building of the lines.

Eligible projects must have taken place or been completed within the last 12 months prior to the application deadline  In the case of volunteer activities, some portion of the service must have occurred in the last 12 months prior to the application deadline. 

PVHA archive will be available to entrants for research by calling 722-0305 or emailing info@pajarovalleyhistory.org for an appointment.

The 2019 deadline is April 25, 2019 

Download Application

Download application form

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