As a Greater Victoria School District student, you can apply for a District Authority Award in ONE of TWELVE specialty areas. These include…

Depending on the size of the graduating class, Vic High will award 18-22 students with a District Authority Award, valued at $1250 each!

Students can apply in two areas if they wish but can only receive one District/Authority Award.  If applying in two areas, students should spend the most time on their stronger area.  They should apply in a second area only if they have time so that they have one strong application instead of two weak ones.  If their two specialty areas fit together, such as Visual Arts and Textiles, students could apply in their stronger area and include information and work samples from their second area.

Due Dates and Time Management:

• All portfolios must be submitted by Friday, May 5th, 2023
  • Application Forms should be submitted as soon as they are complete.
  • Please ask a teacher to complete a teacher reference form as soon as possible.
  • DO NOT leave this to the last minute. If you run into technical problems in the days before this is due, I may not be able to provide you with the support you need, and your application may not be considered.
• Application Info Sessions in the Career Centre-  Please Attend one of the info sessions in the Career Centre. If you do not submit your application package correctly, you may not be considered for the award. We will go over
  • the application form
  • Complete the Application Package
  • Letter to the Scholarship Committee
  • Your portfolio
  • Your academic resume
  • Teacher Application Form
  • Optional letters of reference – up to 2 letters from the community
  • how, when and where to hand it in the application package
  • where to get support – in-person and online

   Dates

  • Jan 31 During Focus
  • Feb 1 During Lunch
  • Feb 7 During Focus
  • Feb 9 During Focus

• No late submissions will be accepted. 
  • Application forms can be submitted as soon as they are complete.
  • Please ask a teacher to complete a teacher reference form as soon as possible.
  • DO NOT leave this to the last minute. If you run into technical problems in the days before this is due, Ms. Spetter may not be able to provide you with the support you need, and your application may not be considered.

START APPLYING

Post-Secondary Institutions, you can use your DDA at

Authorized Trades Training Provider you can use your DDA at

Criteria for District/Authority Awards– it is dated 2021, but all the info is correct

 Please review and follow these instructions carefully to successfully submit your application online.

Step 1-  Intent of applying Application Form Due Date – As soon as possible

This short fillable PDF will create an online profile allowing you to submit your application. When completing this step, it is a good idea also to ask a teacher to complete the Teacher Application Form for you.

Please review the following documents for support.

• Digital Application and Portfolio Tips
• Scholarship Resume Tips
• Scholarship Resume Example
• Portfolio Example (*links have been removed, but did originally work)
• Portfolio Example

Step 2 – Application Package

Application Form

• Open the online application form and “make a copy” by clicking on “File” and “Make a copy.”Now you can edit this document.
• Provide all the required information and title the document “Your Name – DAA Application.”

“Share” this document with me or email it to me at sspetter@sd61learn.ca.  Please send this as soon as possible — ahead of your digital portfolio.

Vic High Teacher Reference Form

• You MUST include a Vic High teacher reference form (see below for instructions)
• You MAY include additional letters of reference from community members.
• You MAY include reference letters that Vic High staff wrote you for other applications.
  • Please DO NOT ask a Vic High staff member to write you a formal letter of reference specifically for District Authority Award Applications.

You can request a teacher reference via email, in which you provide the following link, or they can use the link above:

• Contact the Vic High teacher to who you wish to complete your reference form via email.
  • Please do this as soon as possible to give them time and to ensure I can support students and teachers who may have technical difficulties.
• In your email, politely ask them if they are willing to be your teacher reference and provide them with the following link:
  • https://docs.google.com/document/d/11wAT8LkS9o5dADAjYUV2mYCS8d4gAIOMJnsSxJNoLmE/edit?usp=sharing 
• They will find instructions for completing this form and submitting it directly to Ms. Spetter on your behalf.

Transcript

• Ms. Spetter will download your transcripts and attach them to your application.

Letter to the Scholarship Committee

This letter will be one or two pages long and addressed to the Victoria High School Scholarship Awards Committee. It gives you the opportunity to discuss your post-secondary plans and how a District Authority Award will help you achieve your academic and career goals. It’s an opportunity to make a good impression on the scholarship committee, so it’s essential for you to write an excellent letter to help improve your chances of selection.

Tips for writing a cover letter for an Awards Scholarship Grant

7 Tips for Writing a Scholarship Resume

• KEEP YOUR SCHOLARSHIP RESUME RELEVANT
• Your resume is meant to introduce you and your background to a scholarship committee who has never met you.  Therefore, stress the things that are most positive about you.

2. LIMIT YOUR RESUME TO ONE PAGE

• Use a font that is easy to read (Times, Arial, Cambria, Calibri).  
• The font size should be between 10 and 12; your headings may be lmore significant  
• Ideally, margins should be one inch.

3. BE SPECIFIC AND TRUTHFUL

• Be complete, descriptive, and specific without being too lengthy.  Always be truthful and accurate without exaggeration.

4. ACCURACY IS IMPORTANT

• Make sure your resume is organized and very neat.  It should be free of any spelling or grammatical errors.  Have an instructor, classmate, or supervisor proofread and critique your resume.

5. OMIT ALL PERSONAL PRONOUNS

• Omit using words like “I” and “we.”

6. BE CONSISTENT

• Consistent punctuation, verb tense, dates, and spacing gives your resume a neat, organized appearance.

7. USE BULLETS TO LIST YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS

• Bullets help draw the reader’s eye down the page and convey that your resume is organized and concise.  
• Begin each bullet with an action verb
  • Click here for Action Verbs that will elevate your resume

Writing a Scholarship Resume: Headings

Headings: Listed below are possible “headings” to include in your scholarship resume.  You DO NOT need to include all of these headings in your Scholarship Resume.  Instead, choose the headings that are most appropriate for the scholarship you are applying for.  Example: Athletic Achievements for athletic scholarships. 

Academic Achievements

• Include all subject grades and percentages, academic awards, Honour/Effort roll standings, your overall grade point average, etc., from Grades 11 and 12.
• Record the results/placings of any academic competitions entered (science fairs, etc.)
• Mention any placements in AP classes and classes taken outside of school hours (Camosun College, French Summer Language Bursary Program, West Shore, etc.)

Athletic Achievements

• Include all awards, team memberships, and any events you helped to organize or volunteered with (both in school and in the community)  
• Include any solo athletic activities such as track, swimming, equestrian, etc.

Achievements in the Visual and Performing Arts:

• Record all involvement in drama, music, band, choir, art, dance, etc.
• Include all competitions entered, awards won, placings, etc.

School and/or Community Involvement:

• List any volunteer activities (give some explanation)
• Include membership in any school-based clubs or committees (Creative Writing, Weightlifting, Debate, Model UN, GSA, etc.)
• Include membership in community groups, church groups, etc. (volunteer firefighter, United Way Youth Committee, canvassing for various charitable groups, etc.)
• List any volunteer work in which you have been involved (i.e.,  summer day camps, Guides, Scouting, etc.)

Seminars/Conferences Attended:

• Record anything attended in or out of town (Holocaust Symposium, United Nations Model Summits, We Day, Red Cross Training, Food Safe, ICBC conferences, anything subject-related, etc.)

Skills/Personal Attributes/Interests:

• This category can be broken down into separate areas if need be
• Include computer skills, languages spoken, positive attributes (i.e.,  those highlighted on the Myers-Briggs Personality test), etc.

Work Experience:

• List any paid work experience from summer and/or continuing jobs

Career Plans:

• In 2 to 4 sentences, discuss what your intended career goals are
• Keep it concise but with enough detail to allow the reader to see that you have some plan

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• For all categories, list the details in chronological order, beginning with the most recent and proceeding back in time  
• Be aware of the margins and spacing.   
• Group the appropriate areas together from most significant to least significant.  
• Omit any categories in which you have little or no experience
• Overall, make it pleasing to the eye.  

Finally, if you think your resume could be improved in any area, what can you do in the next six months to help it?

Teacher Reference Form

You will need to ask a teacher who can speak to your excellence in your specialty area to complete this for you. They will submit it directly to the scholarship coordinator, Samantha Spetter, who will add it to your portfolio. PLEASE DO NOT ASK A TEACHER TO WRITE YOU A LETTER OF REFERENCE!

You can request a teacher reference via email, in which you provide the following link, or they can use the link above:

• Contact the Vic High teacher who you wish to complete your reference form via email.
  • Please do this as soon as possible to give them time and to ensure I can support students and teachers who may have technical difficulties.
• In your email, politely ask them if they are willing to be your teacher reference and provide them with the following link:
  • https://docs.google.com/document/d/11wAT8LkS9o5dADAjYUV2mYCS8d4gAIOMJnsSxJNoLmE/edit?usp=sharing 
• They will find instructions for completing this form and submitting it directly to Ms. Spetter on your behalf.

Formatting Options:

• I am asking that all portfolios be submitted electronically. 
  • Please note that if you do not have access to appropriate technology, this should not impede submitting a portfolio. Please get in touch with me, and we will figure something out.
• You may use any digital platform you like.
• I believe Google Slides will meet the needs of most students, and I will be actively providing support for that.

Submission Instructions:

• Please read the submission instructions very carefully. If you do not submit it correctly, your portfolio may not be considered.
• It is essential that you submit your portfolio in ONE file — not a series of files. 
  • You will submit an application form to Ms. Spetter.
  • You will submit a portfolio to Ms. Spetter.
    • Your portfolio will include access to your resume. Therefore, do not send your resume as a separate file.
  • Ms. Spetter will add your teacher reference form and transcripts to complete your application.

Content:

• Simply put, your job is to demonstrate your excellence in the specialty area of your choosing.
• To do so, you may consider including the following:
  • School work, photographs, awards, certificates, videos, etc.
• I cannot stress enough how important it is to provide context for the items you include. For example, annotating each item/artifact/image/video/etc. That would be best. 
  • Although you may only write 3-4 sentences, members of the scholarship committee, especially those who aren’t knowledgeable in your specialty area, need to understand the importance of each aspect of your submission. 
  • Below are some examples to get you started.

Portfolio

At the bottom of this section, you will find videos to help with the creation of your portfolio. PLEASE take the time to review them; they will make putting this document together much easier for you AND the committee reviewing your portfolio.

• All applicants must submit their DAA Portfolio digitally.
• You must submit ONE file that includes all of the required content, including:
  • Letter to the Scholarship Committee introducing yourself, summarizing achievements in your specialty areas, and describing future goals.
  • A resume highlighting your accomplishments in your specialty area.
  • Any letters of reference you wish to include.
  • Documentation that demonstrates achievement and excellence in your specialty area. This may include but is not limited to: pictures, videos, awards, certificates, personal work, media coverage, etc.
• GoogleSlide presentations have been an effective platform for presenting portfolios. In GoGoogleSlides, you can include text, pictures, videos, and links to documents, PDFs, etc.
  • You may, however, use any digital platform you like.
• When your portfolio is complete, please title it “Your Name – DAA Portfolio”.

“Share” this document with Ms. Spetter or email it to her at sspetter@sd61learn.ca.

General Guidelines for Portfolios:

1. The portfolio is an opportunity for the student to provide evidence of their achievement and excellence in their specialty area.
2. A portfolio should contain a compilation of the student’s achievements and be presented in a visually appealing way. Students should use their creativity to make their portfolios interesting and easy for the school scholarship committee to assess the achievements of the student in their specialty area
3. The portfolio will be a binder/booklet, r, in electronic format submitted via memory stick. Refer to preferences for each specialty area.  Portfolios on memory sticks should be in an easily accessible file format such as Word, PowerPoint, jpg or Windows Media. If you submit an electronic copy, please also provide a hard copy.
4. Students should annotate their portfolios.  For example, they should note their role in the assignment, why they have included that particular example in their folio, and explain what they did and what was involved.

Applied Skills (Business Education, Foods/Textiles, Information Communications Technology, and Technology Education) Portfolios:

1. The portfolio will usually be a binder or booklet.  However, in some areas, such as Business Education or Information Communications Technology, the portfolio could be in electronic format or a website.
2. Students should annotate their portfolio, noting their role in the assignment, why they have included that particular example in their portfolio, and explain what they did and what was involved.
3. In the Technology Education area, the portfolio should consist of pictures and/or a description of a project the student has completed.  In addition, letters of reference from the student’s Technology Education teacher(s) and the résumé highlighting the student’s accomplishments in his/her specialty area may be included as part of the portfolio instead of with the application.  In the Technology Education area, the letters best demonstrate the student’s work.

Creative Writing Portfolios:

1. Submit three pieces of short fiction and/or poetry.  
2. At least one piece must be poetry or short fiction.  
3. Submissions should be word-processed on one side of the paper only, double spaced and titled. 
4. Students can include reflections on the writing process, copies of drafts and edits, feedback and commentary. Other suggestions to enhance the portfolio presentation include creating an audio or visual recording of the piece(s).

Performing Arts Portfolios:

1. Submit portfolios in electronic format for visual and audio performances.  Videos should play easily and not viewing specific computer programs viewed.
2. Students should clearly identify themselves if they submit group numbers.  Performances chosen should clearly feature the applicant so that the quality of the student’s work can be easily assessed.  For example, a voice portfolio should not include a choral number by a large ensemble.
3. Rather than sending in a video of an entire show, edit the video to include only highlights of a student’s work.  
4. Limit performance portfolios to 10 minutes or less.

Visual Arts Portfolios:

1. Students should submit no more than 10-15 pieces of t, their work, and their portfolios should be no larger than 18″ x 24″ (45 cm x 60 cm).
2. Students should annotate their portfolio, describing the medium used, style, date, and process (e.g. note if the student first watercolour painting, scanned it, and then completed it on the computer).
3. Except in the Media Arts area, portfolios should not be submitted electroniHowever, media.  Media Arts Students who sub-portfolios electronically must annotate the portfolios.

Physical Activity & Health Portfolios:

1. Preference may be given to those with school courses in this area, not limited to Physical Education. Students applying with fewer courses will need to provide a strong portfolio.
2. The student’s portfolio should show excellence in athletics, fitness, outdoor education, or physical education.
3. The portfolio is to showcase the student’s involvement in his/her sport(s); contain pictures with captions and dates (i.e. team picture, placement in zone); have items arranged chronologically; contain certificates of achievement or awards (i.e. most sportsmanliAll-Star All Star); and display evidence of officiating activities or coaching.
4. A hard copy of the portfolio is preferable over an electronic submission. If you submit an electronic copy, please also provide a hard copy.  

Indigenous Languages and Culture Portfolios:

1. Students should show evidence of school or community involvement to support their connection to indigenous languages and culture.
2. Involvement can be at school or community. 
3. Letters of reference from teachers or community members, included as part of the student’s application, will be an important component of the student’s submission.

Languages Portfolios:

1. Students should show evidence of school and/or community involvement to support their excellence in languages. Evidence can include audio or visual recordings of the student speaking the language (dialogue, conversation , reciting a poem, etc.).
2. Letters of reference from teachers or community members, included as part of the student’s application, will be an important component of the student’s submission.

Community Service Portfolios:

1. Contributions to strengthening the community through volunteer service (describe the activity, history of applicant’s community activities, major accomplishments), as well as an awareness of local, global and cultural issues.
2. Special leadership qualities and the ability to inspire and encourage others.
3. Ability to achieve outcomes such as problems solved, numbers of people reached and measurable change.
4. Extraordinary effort made by the applicant, and any challenges or obstacles that were overcome in making these contributions.
5. A hard copy of the portfolio is preferable over an electronic submission. If you submit an electronic copy, please also provide a hard copy.

Students could include the following evidence:  

• Photographs
• Advertisements
• Certificates
• Awards
• Videos
• newspaper articles
• medals and/or other evidence

A reference letter from a community sponsor should be included for volunteer service completed in the community.  Preference may be given to students who demonstrate more than one year of community service (Leadership Hour logs or similar summary could be included).

Technical and Trades Training Portfolios should show ev the following ,”  evidence ,”  :

1. Excellence in both theory and practical skills
2. Punctuality/good attendance
3. Working cooperatively with instructors and fellow students
4. Positive attitude
5. Initiative and creative problem-solving
6. Excellent organization skills, reliability and flexibility
7. Outstanding performance on practical skills
8. Demonstrates a strong work ethic with attention to detail 
9. Willingness to help others
10. Strong citizenship qualities in the classroom

Criteria for District/Authority Awards

(Revised March 2021)