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Each year, a small number of Alaska high school students complete Scouts BSA's Eagle Scout rank - the program's highest advancement, requiring years of sustained leadership and an original community service project. The John Sauve Eagle Scout Scholarship, has been awarded annually since the 2021-2022 school year to recognize this achievement. Up to $1,000 is awarded to an Alaska Eagle Scout entering college, trade, or vocational school, offsetting tuition, books, fees, housing, meal plan, and travel. The award advances Rotary International's Basic Education and Literacy area of focus and anchors a longer pipeline into Rotary programs - RYLA, Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, Peace Fellowship, and eventual Rotary membership.
The program operates on an annual cycle. Applications open in the spring, are submitted via Google Form, and include a 750-1,000 word essay on "The Rotary Four Way Test and Its Relationship to the Scout Law." A panel reviews applications and selects the recipient, who is recognized at a Club meeting and invited to present their Eagle Scout service project. Funds are disbursed for use during the award academic year.
Grant funds support the scholarship award itself - up to $1,000 per recipient, paid directly to the Scout, against a $2,000 annual program budget. Proceeds from the annual Silent Auction at the Club's Eagle Scout Recognition Ceremony are earmarked for the program. The Club Treasurer approves all checks for disbursement of grant funds. The club member who is in charge of the grant, must sign / approve the voucher authorizing disbursement of funds from the grant.
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