Hoover scholarships allow students to chose their project

Iowa high school -juniors- have the chance to make some fast bucks for college by getting involved in whatever project catches their fancy.The Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award offers three scholarships a year of five thousand dollars each, in addition to many smaller awards. Pat Hand is the academic program manager at the Hoover Presidential Library Association in West Branch.Hand says students need to propose a project on something they’re passionate about and on which they want to work and accomplish. She says the awards are -not- based on grades or test scores but purely on what project the students decide to take on.Projects in recent years included teaching sign language, restocking a stream with fish and getting a new sound system for a high school. Applications have to be postmarked by March 30th. For details, surf to “www.hooverassociation.org” or call 800-828-0475.