Diversity scholarship recipients.

NRPA will annouce the recipients of the 0009 Diversity Scholarhips at the 2004. NRPA Congress Oct. 12-16, in Reno, Nev. The committee received 15 scholarship applications for four scholarship opportunities. The scholarships provide professionals and citizens of ethnic minorities the opportunity to attend Congress, as well as see the behind-the-scenes operations of the event. Participants will meet with NRPA leadership and will attend various education sessions and Board of Trustees meetings. The program is designed to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA, and to develop contacts with NRPA trustees and other professionals from around the nation.

Each candidate is subjected to eligibility and criteria. Each applicant must be an NRPA member, an ethnic minority, an employee or involved as a citizen in parks and recreation, be able to attend NRPA Congress, attend committee meetings, complete an evaluation, and submit a position statement on personal goals and benefits of the scholarship, as well as submit a resume and letters of recommendation.

The 2004 recipents are Charles Hester from New Kent County Parks and Recreation agency in New Kent, Va., Jesselyn Purvey from City of Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas, Kelvin Yarrell from Greenville Recreation & Parks Department in Greenville, N.C. and Kendall Parrott from Harvey Park District, in Harvey, Ill. Charles Jackson, 2003 Diversity Scholarship recipient stated, "I know without the scholarship that my chances of attending the 2003 Congress was very slim." Jackson is assistant coordinator at Greensboro Parks & Recreation Department in Greensboro, N.C.