MRPA has two scholarships; The Bill Bonnyman Training Scholarship & The Russell Packett Memorial Youth Sports Scholarship
The Russell Packett
Memorial Youth Sports Scholarship
Russell Packett was a long-time parks and recreation professional from 1993 until he passed away in 2017 after a brief illness. Russell spent his career working in the communities of Yarmouth, Freeport, and Cape Elizabeth. He was the creator and director of the 130-team travel basketball league for kids in grades 5-8 in Southern Maine. He also served for many years on the Board of Directors for MRPA as its treasurer. He was passionate about youth sports and promoting training for professionals in the field. Russell Packett scholarship funds are available to support MRPA member training, education, and other youth sport opportunities that support the mission of MRPA.
Bill Bonnyman Training Scholarship
Bill Bonnyman was an accomplished coach in the Hingham, Massachusetts Youth Baseball system, a retired sales representative with Pioneer, a proud father of four and a longtime supporter of the Maine Recreation and Park Association who passed away after a long battle with a rare form of lung disease. His positive attitude and dedication made him a role model throughout his community and beyond and continues to evoke a sense of pride in all those who knew him. This scholarship will be awarded to a current MRPA member to further develop their training or education in the parks and recreation profession.
- Applicant must be a member in good standing of the Maine Recreation and Parks Association.
- Applicant must be able to show proof that they are presently employed, either full-time or part-time, in a paid capacity in the Parks, Recreation and/or Leisure Services field within the state of Maine, and have been for at least 12 months.
- Applicant must justify intent of using this award towards furthering their training and/or education, and indicate exactly how they would use the scholarship money. Acceptable expenses include registration fees, lodging, and transportation.
- Applicant must submit with the application below, one letter of recommendation verifying the applicant’s commitment and dedication to the park and recreation profession, leadership skills, and a detailed reason why this applicant is deserving of the scholarship. This letter, addressed to the scholarship committee and included with the application, should include the length and nature of the writer’s association with the applicant, and the writer’s address, phone number and email address.
- Applicant must be willing to share some of what they learned by either writing an article for the MRPA newsletter/website, speaking at an Annual or Regional Meeting or some other agreed upon means.
- Applications for the Bill Bonnyman and the Russell Packett memorial scholarships are available to professional members of MRPA throughout the year and as long as funds are available. The scholarship committee will review applications in the order in which they are received and all applicants will be notified once the application is reviewed. When possible, applications should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event to allow time for review.
- PAYMENT INFORMATION: The recipient will be required to show proof of purchase directly related to the proposed training/educational program and provide receipts. Within 30 days MRPA will reimburse the city/town.
- For more information contact Gary Colello, Scholarship Chair.