Overview

Each year, NewSun invites high school seniors from select Oregon counties to write an 800-1200 word essay about how climate change, renewable energy, and other factors are affecting their community, including ranching and farming.

Essay and Selection Review Process

A scholarship review committee composed of local and state elected officials, nonprofit and community leaders, and the NewSun team read and score essays. Students with the highest scoring essays are awarded $2,500 scholarships. Honorable mention awards are distributed at the discretion of the review committee.

Essay Prompt

Agriculture faces unique exposures to climate change because ranching and farming businesses, lives, and communities are inextricably linked to weather. Daily and annual operations, experiences, and finances are impacted by both the positive benefits and challenging consequences. Shifts in weather patterns vary from region to region and include changes in volumes or timing of precipitation, temperature extremes, frequencies and duration of extreme weather events, and impacts on water availability. The costs of dealing with these changes and extreme weather events are having a significant impact on ranching communities in Oregon, and throughout the country and the world.

We invite students to consider the above and reflect on how climate change, renewable energy, and related changes currently, or may in the future, affect their community, including ranching and farming practices or other related impacts. Students are encouraged to discuss these issues with family, friends, or community members to learn from their perspectives. 

2025 Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

NewSun Energy will be awarding scholarships ranging from $500 - $2,500 to high school seniors from Coos, Curry, Crook, Douglas (Coastal), Gilliam, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, and Wasco counties.  Essays should demonstrate a genuine reflection that draws on unique experiences and perspectives, and be the student’s original writing.  

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a graduating senior from Coos, Curry, Crook, Douglas (Coastal), Gilliam, Harney, Klamath, Lake, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, and Wasco counties

• There is no minimum GPA or financial need requirement

• Awards will be paid directly to the college or university for post-secondary education in the United States, including community college and accredited vocational/trade school

• Students must be enrolled full-time

• Essay must be 800-1200 words

• Essays must be submitted by 11:59pm April 15, 2025