The Founder's Scholarship is a one-time award presented in honor of the visionary leaders who established the North Jersey Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club: John "Punisher" Jewel and Gordon "Flash" Williams.

• Completed Application, excluding general information/instructions.

• Unofficial High School Transcript (or equivalent documentation for home-schooled students), verifying a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Essay: 750-1500 words, double spaced, 12 pt font, 1 inch margins, authentic work with less than 10% similarity when checked for plagiarism. Additional essay instruction below.

• Letter of Recommendation from a teacher, administrator, or school counselor, printed on official school letterhead.

• Letter of Acceptance from an accredited university or college.

• Signed release form (including parent's signature if under 18).

• Letter of Introduction: Include your full name, accomplishments (honors and awards), family background, community service involvement, intended degree or trade, an explanation of your financial need and how you will give back to your community.

• Name and Mailing Address of the financial aid office at the institution you will be attending.

• Recent Headshot Photo: to be used for official purposes. Ensure the image is clear, well-lit, and appropriately framed in a neutral background. Business casual or uniform representing your vocation or trade, 1280x720 pixels, imbedded directly into the PDF application

• Parent/Guardian Signature, if the applicant is under 18 years of age.

• Additional Scholarship Eligibility: Applicants for the Founder's Scholarship may also be considered for scholarships offered by the Northeast Frontier and the NABSTMC and would be required to attend the NABSTMC Convention in Tampa Florida July 9-11, 2026, to receive the award.

1. The Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers: How the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers inspires my journey today.
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1. Character and Leadership Topic: Embodying the Buffalo Spirit: Leadership through adversity.
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1. Medal of Honor Recipient Spotlight: The Medal of Honor is the highest military award in the United States, presented by the President in the name of Congress. Choose a Buffalo Soldier who received this honor, and share a brief narrative about their life, service, and the lessons we can learn from their dedication and sacrifice.
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• Completed application excluding general information/instructions.

• Unofficial High School Transcript (or equivalent documentation for home-schooled students), verifying a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or PASS.

• Letter of Recommendation (1 page maximum) from a teacher, administrator, school counselor, employer, mentor or other non-related mentor familiar with your interests, work, art or community, printed on official letterhead, as appropriate.

• Letter of Acceptance from a certified or accredited vocational or trade school.

• Signed release form with parent's signature if under 18 years of age.

• A 4-7 minute unlisted YouTube video link. See guidelines below.

• Name and Mailing Address of the financial aid office at the vocational or trade school you will be attending, including your student ID number, if available.

• Recent Headshot Photo: to be used for official purposes. Ensure the image is clear, well-lit, and appropriately framed in a neutral background. Business casual or uniform representing your vocation or trade, 1280x720 pixels, imbedded directly into the PDF application

• Additional Scholarship Eligibility: Applicants for the Road Captain's Scholarship may also be considered for scholarships offered by the Northeast Frontier and the NABSTMC and would be required to attend the NABSTMC Convention in Tampa Florida July 9-11, 2026, to receive the award.

• Introduce yourself

• Provide your family background

• Describe how you give back to your community

• Discuss your proudest accomplishments to date

• Describe your certificate, license or training you are working toward and why you chose it. Optional: If you already have experience in your chosen field, show or describe the skills you've learned.

• Answer the questions: What lessons from the history of the Buffalo Soldiers can you apply to your vocational journey

• Letter of Introduction: Include your full name, academic accomplishments (honors and awards), family background, community service involvement, intended degree or trade, and an explanation of your financial need.

• Proof of Enrollment: From an accredited university, college, or trade school.

• Recent Headshot Photo: Appropriate and professional in appearance.

• Unofficial College Transcript

• Letter of Recommendation: From a teacher, administrator, or school counselor, printed on official school letterhead.

• Community Letter of Recommendation: From a community service organization, nonprofit, or religious institution, printed on organizational letterhead.

• Essay: 250-500 Word Essay on one of the designated topics listed in the essay section below.

• Parent/Guardian Signature: If the applicant is under 18 years of age.

• Completed Application Forms: All forms must be filled out in full.

1. The Legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers: Discuss the impact the Buffalo Soldiers made during wartime and/or peacetime. Why is it important to preserve and pass on their legacy to future generations?
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1. Buffalo Soldiers and National Infrastructure: Provide specific examples of how the Buffalo Soldiers contributed to the development of roadways, national parks, and mail service in the United States.
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1. Medal of Honor Recipient Spotlight: The Medal of Honor is the highest military award in the United States, presented by the President in the name of Congress. Choose a Buffalo Soldier who received this honor, and share a brief narrative about their life, service, and the lessons we can learn from their dedication and sacrifice.
3.