Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. Scholarship Information
Known by many as “the Father of the State Fair of Virginia,” Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. provided leadership, financial assistance and stability to the State Fair during an uncertain time in the 1940s. Endowed by his daughter Emmy Lou Thomson in 1994, The Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. Scholarships provide outstanding high schoolers with financial support for furthering their education.

Thomson Scholarship winners have high ethical standards and integrity while demonstrating academic achievement, community service and leadership. Thomson Scholarship Winners excel and exhibit leadership in the community as well as during the State Fair of Virginia competitions. The winning students will use these awards to continue their education at a college, university, vocational or trade school

The Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. Gold Scholarships are earned annually by high school juniors or seniors.
Awards amounts in 2009:
1st Place Gold $5,000
2nd Place Gold $3,000
3rd Place Gold $2,000
Honorable Mention $1,000
Honorable Mention $1,000
Honorable Mention $1,000

The Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. Silver Scholarships are earned annually by high school freshmen or sophomores.
Award amounts in 2009:
1st Place Silver $2,500
2nd Place Silver $1,000
3rd Place Silver $500

• Prior year State Fair competition participant
• Previous State Fair scholarship recipient
• Acceptable academic standing
• Recognized community service participant
• Recognized youth leader
• Desire for self-improvement

Applications

Applications are available for download in March.

All high school State Fair scholarship winners are annually sent information in February regarding the current value of their account and reminded that they are eligible to apply for the Endowed Scholarships. Applications may be downloaded and mailed to the State Fair office; applications must be received by April 15.

Other Endowed Scholarships
Applicants who do not win the Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. awards are eligible and automatically considered for the Otis L. Brown, Virginia Wineries and Wyndham B. Blanton, Jr. Endowed Scholarships. Applicants that apply for the Herbert Bruce Thomson, Sr. awards are automatically included in the selection process for other endowed scholarships:

Wyndham B. Blanton, Jr. Scholarship $500
Known as the “Father of the Modern State Fair,” Dr. Blanton was a Richmond physician who served on the State Fair Board for more than 40 years.

Otis L. Brown Scholarship $500
Mr. Brown, the State Fair’s first CEO, established the State Fair Scholarship Program.

Virginia Wineries Scholarship $500
Since 1991, the Virginia Wine Industry has supported the annual State Fair Wine Competition.

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
The State Fair of Virginia annually provides scholarships to three universities in the Commonwealth for their students.

Virginia Tech receives eight $1,000 Scholarships for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Virginia State University receives two $1,000 Scholarships for undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture, and $2,000 for scholarships in the Master of Science Degree in Plant Science in the School of Agriculture.

Virginia Commonwealth University receives one $1,000 scholarship for a student in the School of Art.

Scholarship Calendar

HOW TO ACCESS SCHOLARSHIP MONEY
Scholarships may be combined with previously earned State Fair awards. Earnings will be paid directly to the student’s account at the educational institution of his/her choice. After enrolling in school, to access scholarship funds, complete the Scholarship Payment Request Form (see link below) and submit to the school’s registrar’s office. The registrar’s office will then forward the request to the State Fair of Virginia for payment. Scholarships not used by the recipient’s 24th birthday will revert from that student’s name back into the State Fair of Virginia Scholarship Fund.