Serving Nebraska's Speech, Debate, and Theatre students and educators.
The NSCTA recognizes the importance of continuing education and currently has two scholarships available.
The Mel Shoemaker scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who have participated in speech, debate, or theatre for 4 years.
The Beal Scholarship is available to current NSCTA members.
Mel Shoemaker taught and directed the North Loup Speech Teams and the Play Production Team for many years and then moved to Kearney High to be the Theatre and Play Production Director. These teams won many awards, bringing honor not only to the individual students, but to the schools where he directed. This scholarship will be presented to honor Mel Shoemaker’s lifelong dedication to education, to students, and to the arts of Speech, Theatre, Debate and English.
Application for the Mel Shoemaker Speech / Debate / Theatre Scholarship will be accepted each year from NSCTA High School Seniors who will be continuing with education at any college or university. Preference in award will be given to the study of Speech, Theatre, Debate, English, or the education field.
Each year a maximum of two $500.00 Scholarships will be awarded to deserving graduating seniors who have participated in Speech, Debate, and/or Theatre in Nebraska for all 4 years of their secondary education. The scholarship award will be based on academic success, Speech, Debate, and/or Theatre success, and any other future plan or success that would enhance the expenditure of these funds for the development of Speech, Debate, and/or Theatre in Nebraska. Alternates will be recognized.
Students should apply for the scholarship by March 15th of each year. An unbiased selection committee will be chosen by the NSCTA Board and shall not include any coach who has a student in competition for the scholarship. The Mel Shoemaker Speech / Debate / Theatre Scholarship will be awarded upon the decision of the committee and the funds distributed upon proof of second semester enrollment at the recipient’s college of choice.
Dr. Melissa Beall is a longtime scholar and supporter of the NSCTA. She is a professor at the University of Northern Iowa, and has been inducted into the Central States Communication Association Hall of Fame.
The Beall Scholarship is an opportunity open to members of the NSCTA who are continuing their education in the disciplines of debate, speech, or theater. Those members interested in applying for funds fund from the Beall Scholarship Fund, please complete the application below. Members of the executive committee will review applications as they are received to decide on allocation of funds from the scholarship account.
