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HISTORY
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Mance Lipscomb Scholarship Fund
The first two years the Mance Lipscomb Scholarship was given there was no Navasota Blues Festival. Glen Alyn, who wrote the story of Mance’s life in the book, “I Say Me For A Parable”, did fundraisers for the scholarship fund. He signed up blues musicians for benefit performances in Austin, Texas. Alyn then sent the monies to Navasota High School to be used for the scholarship. In 1995 Alyn was unable to set up fundraisers, so there was no scholarship available for that year. Then in 1996 the Navasota Blues Festival became a reality, with the Mance Lipscomb Scholarship Fund being an integral part of the organization.
Navasota High School students, during their senior year, can apply for the Mance Lipscomb Scholarship. A student has to write an essay as to why they should receive this scholarship, and other criteria have to be met. Navasota Bluesfest Executive Board reviews the applications for the scholarship and chooses a scholarship recipient. If the student receives the scholarship, they have to provide documentation from the college of their choice that proves their enrollment. The actual scholarship monies are presented at an awards ceremony during the festival held each August. Jimmy Lipscomb, grandson of Mance Lipscomb, has graciously attended the festival each year and consented to award the scholarship in memory of his grandfather.
Many students who have won the scholarship in the past, have not only received their college degree, but have continued on towards their Master’s degree. In 1999, the Board of Directors voted to award all previous scholarship winners, who were still in school – a “Continuing Education Scholarship”.
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