Orcas resident Michael Whellams recently attended the Horatio Alger National Field Director Conference in Colonial Williamsburg where he strategized with representatives from all across America to discuss best practices on scholar recruitment and marketing.

“I have been involved with the association for about 20 years. This is the first time there have been field directors from every state brought together for any kind of an educational training program. The Horatio Alger Association is the largest provider of scholarships for students in financial need,” Whellams said.

Whellams was one of those responsible for creating the four-day national grassroots conference. Participants had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions and interactive brainstorms on topics such as identifying deserving scholarship recipients, association mission and scholar recruiting and selection. Field Directors heard personal adversity-to-success stories directly from scholarship alumni.

“We have been planning this program for the last two years. As coordinator of the field directors program, a colleague and I are responsible for overseeing the activities of the 60 field directors throughout the year.

“In the next couple of months we will be reviewing 45,000 applications and selecting the 106 scholars who will receive a $20,000 scholarship, a new computer and an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. to attend the National Scholars Conference in April. Two students will be selected from each state, including two from Washington,” he said.

“An Orcas high school student was the recipient of the scholarship in the past. Although the application process is closed for the class of 2009, students who live in the San Juan islands and are in the class of 2010 and beyond are encouraged to apply. More information on on the program is available at www.horatioalger.com,” Whellams said.