ABC Junior Education & Stipend Program
Junior Education & Stipend Program | Junior Stipend Program Guidelines | Junior Stipend Fund Request
The American Bloodhound Club Board of Directors is excited to introduce and promote the ABC Junior Education and Stipend Program.
Mission Statement for the ABC Juniors Education & Stipend Program: To foster and reward youth participation, teach ethics in animal care, handling, and training practices, encourage young people to become actively involved in the sport, instill good sportsmanship, and generate pride in accomplishments earned competing with Bloodhounds.
1. ABC ANNUAL STIPENDS AVAILABLE:
A $200.00 stipend is available from the ABC Junior Stipend Fund (monies offered by the ABC and through contributions) to be applied to the travel cost of a deserving junior who has successfully gained an invitation to and competes in the Junior Showmanship Competition at the Westminster Kennel Club.
A $200.00 stipend is available from the ABC Junior Stipend Fund (monies offered by the ABC and through contributions) to be applied to the travel cost of a deserving junior who has successfully gained an invitation to and competes in the Junior Showmanship Competition at the AKC National Championship.
A $200.00 stipend is available from the ABC Junior Stipend Fund (monies offered by the ABC and through contributions) to be applied to the travel cost of a deserving junior who attends the ABC National Specialty and competes in any discipline of the sport that is offered at this show.
NOTE: A maximum amount of $400.00 may be awarded to any one junior over a one (1) year period -(January 1st to December 31st.)
Deadline dates for stipend request application (no exceptions):
AKC National Championship Show – November 1st
Westminster Kennel Club – December 1st
ABC National Specialty – On the 1st day of the month (2) months prior to the National event
2. ABC NATIONAL SPECIALTY BEST JUNIOR AWARD:
This Award is presented only at ABC National Specialty events. The award recognizes the Best Junior in the Junior Showmanship competition. The award itself is a wooden plaque with brass plates listing the year and Junior’s name. The winning Junior will receive an ABC commemorative item in recognition of his/her achievement at the ABC National.
3. ABC JUNIOR EDUCATION & STIPEND FUND COMMITTEE:
To further promote and encourage the mission of the ABC Junior Education and Stipend Program, the ABC Board has approved the appointment of a three (3) person committee plus (2) Co-chairs.
JESP Committee Co-Chairs: Julie and Russell Swigart – JRSwigartillustrator@gmail.com
JESP Committee Members:
Janet Kelly – tatsmom17@msn.com
Gail Mickley – gail.mickley@yahoo.com
Adriana Pavlinovic – a_ambassador@hotmail.com
Criteria for the committee positions:
- ABC member in good standing for 5 years or formerly active in Junior Showmanship Competition
- Regular access to a computer/email for electronic correspondence
- Serious desire to promote and encourage the Mission of the ABC Junior Education & Stipend Program
- Ability to maintain neutrality and confidentiality when discussing applications and making a selection within the specified deadline – approximately 3-4 times a year
- Creativity and goals to expand and promote activities for Juniors within the American Bloodhound Club (list both 2 to 3 short term goals as well as 2 to 3 long term goals for the program)
- Other – additional experience to be considered
For additional information, application form and deadlines, please go to: www.americanbloodhoundclub.org or contact Julie & Russell Swigart, JESP Co-Chairs at email: JRSwigartillustrator@gmail.com
ABC Junior Stipend Program Guidelines
BASIC APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
❖ Applicant must be an eligible Junior (9 – 18) years of age competing in any discipline of the sport with a Bloodhound.
❖ A minimum of 16 weeks of documented participation in three (3) or more of the following:
➢ Participate in fundraising (if possible) at an ABC National or Regional Specialty
➢ Participate as a Junior in any ABC Committee activities when possible, i.e. show set-up, show break-down, stewarding, assist in Hospitality, assist with Trailing Trials, assist with the Boutique, Show Chair assigned tasks (age appropriate), Junior Education booth set-up
➢ Volunteer with your Bloodhound in a service related activity/event, i.e. Meet The Breeds, Bark in the Park, visits to rehabilitative care/retirement-nursing home/hospital
➢ Earn an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title on your dog
➢ Attend and/or teach training classes in any discipline of competition
➢ Attend a Bloodhound Breed seminar (may attend at ABC National with approval of Judges’ Education Chair)
MANDATORY APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:
❖ Junior member of the ABC for one (1) year minimum
❖ Exemplify “Good Sportsmanship” at all times
❖ Maintain 2.8 GPA (grade point average) or equivalent for two (2) semesters and satisfactory attendance record (submission of written documentation with application is required)
❖ Obtain majority of qualifying wins with a Bloodhound
❖ Write a minimum 500 word essay about; your activities this past year with your Bloodhound, recommendations to benefit yourself and others in the sport, your vision of the future in the sport and include a photo of you with your Bloodhound. The essay will be published in the ABC Bulletin.
❖ Should the Junior be unable to attend – the ABC stipend must be returned by recipient to the ABC Treasurer/ABC Junior Education Fund within thirty (30) days of the show(s). Priority mail with delivery of confirmation/tracking is recommended.
ADDITIONAL MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR WESTMINSTER KC & AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
❖ Monies only awarded for those qualifying in the calendar year prior to attendance of the Westminster Kennel Club and/or AKC National Championship Dog Show
❖ Junior has fulfilled the requirements to participate in the Junior Showmanship Competition at the Westminster Kennel Club and/or the AKC National Championship Dog Show with his/her Bloodhound
❖ Junior Showmanship entry with noted requirements is submitted and accepted to the Westminster Kennel Club and/or the AKC National Championship Dog Show
❖ Acknowledgement of show entry will be photocopied and forwarded to the ABC Junior Stipend Fund Committee Chair. If Junior is less than 18 years of age, name and address of parent/guardian must be included as check will be issued in his/her name. Junior will receive the stipend within (15) days of the Junior Stipend Fund Chair sending information to the ABC Treasurer. This will be PRIOR to the date of the show(s), if at all possible.
❖ Should the Junior be unable to attend, the stipend monies must be returned by the recipient to the ABC Treasurer/ABC Junior Stipend Fund within thirty (30) days of the show(s). Priority mail with delivery confirmation/tracking is recommended.
**Junior may qualify for both a Westminster Kennel Club and AKC National Championship Dog Shows stipend ($400.00 maximum during the same year).
Deadline Dates for stipend request application (no exceptions):
AKC National Championship Show – November 1st
Westminster Kennel Club – December 1st
ABC National Specialty – on the 1st day of the month (2) months prior to the National event