Description and Background

In 2007 the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee officially recognized the Hon. Jack O’Connell’s service to Ventura County and the state of California. This year’s $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in the field of Public Service or Education at the Labor Day Picnic on September 7, to be held at Freedom Park in Camarillo.

After growing up in Oxnard, graduating from Oxnard High School, receiving his B.A. degree from California State University Fullerton (CSUF) and his secondary teaching credential from CSU Long Beach, Jack O’Connell returned to teach government classes at Oxnard High School. His political career began with his election to the Santa Barbara County School Board. Starting in 1982, Jack served six terms in the Assembly and was Speaker pro tem. He then was elected to two terms in the State Senate. He was elected as State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2002 and overwhelmingly reelected in 2006. In 2007 he was inducted into the Ventura County Educators Hall of Fame. His lifetime commitment to education as a teacher, legislator, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction makes Jack the ideal person to be honored by our scholarship program.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Resident of Ventura County
• Registered (or registration-in-process) for Fall Semester 2009 at any public college or state university in California
• Graduate of a Ventura County high school
• 3.0 GPA (do not send transcript, but it should be available on request)
• Registered Democrat or Intent to Register as a Democrat when eligible
• Career Goal: Public Education or Public Service
• The successful scholarship recipient will e-mail the Scholarship Committee a brief follow-up describing his/her college experience at the end of the first quarter/semester.

Application Procedure

Download the PDF on the 2009 JOC Scholarship link at www.venturacountydemocrats.com. Mail the application with the two letters of recommendation and your essay to:

VCDCC Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 1587
Camarillo, CA 93011

Applications must be postmarked by July 17, 2009. (Please note that you may need to include extra postage.) If you need further information, please leave a message at 805-477-1777. Prospective recipients will be notified the first week of August and arrangements will be made for an interview. Following his or her selection, the winner will be honored at the Democratic Labor Day Picnic on September 7, 2009.

Download the Application.