J. H. “BUDDY” RASPBERRY SCHOLARSHIP FUND SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The top five applicant scorers, including the Captain John T. Scardasis and Tim Arthur Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by Ceres Gulf, recipients, will receive a maximum award of $9,000. The remaining twenty-eight scholarship recipients will receive an award ranging from $6,000 to $8,000. The maximum amount awarded for the financial hardship scholarship is $17,000. Scholarship awards may be applied to tuition, institutional fees, books, and supplies (if applicable). Funds may be paid directly to the scholarship recipients or to Educational Institutions on behalf of recipients.

Registration for 2025 is Open
Click HERE to register and apply
Deadline for registration is April 11, 2025!!!!
Frequently Asked Questions

The J.H. “Buddy” Raspberry Scholarship Fund awards over 30 scholarships each year in all courses of study including trade and vocational training. Scholarship recipients are selected based upon their prior academic performance, performance on tests designed to measure ability and aptitude for higher education, recommendations from instructors or other individuals of no relation, and essays drawn from personal experiences. The Raspberry Scholarship Fund also awards one $17,000 financial aid scholarship to aid students who have proven economic disadvantages.
“Eligible Persons” are (1) Employees, children of Employees, spouses of Employees, or grandchildren of Employees, and (2) meet the minimum standards for admission to a post-secondary educational institution. An Eligible Person will be in the group of potential Fund scholarship grantees without regard to the position or duties of the Employee. An “Employee” is defined in the Fund as every active, retired, or deceased individual who has worked an average of at least 1,000 hours per year in the West Gulf region of the United States during the last three years of active employment for an Employer. An “Employer” is defined in the Fund as a regular or affiliate member of the West Gulf Maritime Association that employs I.L.A. labor pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, the Port of Houston Authority, or the South Atlantic & Gulf Coast District, International Longshoremen’s Association, AFL-CIO or any of its local union affiliates that provide labor to a regular or affiliate member of the West Gulf Maritime Association that employs I.L.A. labor pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement.
J.H.”Buddy” Raspberry is a legend in the maritime community, especially in the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District. Buddy served as president of the District from 1978 until his untimely death in 1990 and also served as general vice president of the ILA. After graduating from high school in Houston he was an honor student at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. After serving in the United States Air Force for four years, Buddy came to the Houston Waterfront in 1961 and joined ILA Local 1273. In 1963, he was elected to his first office in Local 1273 and became president in 1968. In 1974, he was elected secretary-treasurer of the District. Buddy was elected to his first full term as District President in 1978 and over the next twelve years proved to be one of the most effective labor leaders in the history of the ILA. Buddy was well respected by all who came to know him and in turn he respected every person – be they management or one of the newest members of the ILA. He was known for his forthrightness, his integrity and his commitment to the goals of those he represented. He was also known for his sense of humor and had the wonderful gift of being able to inject that humor into the most serious discussions when it was needed most. Buddy was a “student” for all of his life in the sense that he never stopped learning. He was well aware of the value of a formal education and it is only fitting that his memory be honored by this scholarship fund.
J.H. “Buddy” Raspberry Academic Scholarship Scoring Criteria

Thank you for your participation in the J.H. “Buddy” Raspberry Scholarship Fund for this cycle. Your contribution will help students to achieve their higher academic goals more affordably. As an introduction, there are thirty (30) academic scholarships awarded. They include:

    • Eighteen (18) academic scholarships to any institution
    • Up to 9 vocational or trade scholarships
      • If there are not enough vocational applicants, these revert to academic scholarships
    • One Scardasis maritime award given to an applicant that
      • 1) Meets the qualifications of the J.H. “Buddy” Raspberry Scholarship Fund and
      • 2) Applied to a maritime academy or entered into maritime studies.
      • If there is no qualifying applicant, then given to the second highest scorer.

SCORING

For those sections with 0‐5 ratings, please use the following as a guide when evaluating the applications:

5‐Outstanding: All of the applicant’s application materials exemplify superior or exceptional characteristics that contribute to the specific criterion.

4‐Excellent:‐The applicant’s application materials illustrate extremely strong, but not exceptional, characteristics contributing to the standard. The reviewer may have a reservation, but there are redeeming features to compensate for or outweigh the reservation.

3‐Strong: The applicant’s application materials demonstrate strong characteristics; however, the reviewer may have reservations.

2‐Average: While the applicant’s application materials are satisfactory, the reviewer may have major reservations. Certain evaluation characteristics related to the criterion are not present.

1‐Below Average: The applicant’s application lacks certain requested materials. The materials present are not satisfactory.

0‐Weak: The applicant’s application is considerably incomplete with inadequate materials present.

  1. Academic Rating ‐50.0 Maximum Points

Part A: National Test Scores‐25.0 Points (high school applicants applying to a higher education institution only)  

 

Standardized test submission is optional. If not submitted, GPA will be weighted.

 

Table 1: Test Scores

SAT ACT Points SAT ACT Points
1600 36 25.0 1130‐1160 25 20
1540‐1590 35 24.8 1090‐1120 24 19.5
1490‐1530 34 24.5 1050‐1080 23 19
1440‐1480 33 24.3 1020‐1040 22 18.5
1400‐1430 32 23.9 980‐1010 21 18
1360‐1390 31 23.6 940‐970 20 17
1330‐1350 30 23.4 900‐930 19 16
1290‐1320 29 22.8 860‐890 18 15
1250‐1280 28 22.3 820‐850 17 14
1210‐1240 27 21.8 770‐810 16 13
1170-1200 26 21.1 Below 770 Below 16 0

Part B: Academic Achievement Points 5 X 5 = 25 Maximum Points for current high school students (for continuing higher ed or trade applicants the maximum is 50 pts [GPA X 10])

Academic Achievement ‐ Refer to the applicant’s transcript. Unofficial transcripts are allowed.

Grade Point Average (GPA) use actual GPA

  • Less than 2.0 = 0
  • 0 to 2.5 = 1
  • 6 to 3.0 = 2
  • 1 to 3.4 = 3
  • 5 to 3.9 = 4
  • 0 and above = 5
  1. Essay Rating- 25 Maximum Points

Rate the applicant based on the mechanics, style, and content of the essay. Essays should be clearly written and well organized and should sustain a well‐focused discussion. The essay should enable you to get to know the applicant better.

  1. Extracurricular/Volunteer Activities- 10 Maximum Points

Part A: Extracurricular Activities Points School Related and office held: 5 points max

When evaluating this section, please consider the following:

  • Participated in one or more extracurricular activities
  • Leadership role in one extracurricular activity
  • Leadership role in more than one extracurricular activity

Part B: Volunteer/Community Services and office held: 5 points max

When evaluating this section, please consider the following:

  • Participant in one or more community services
  • Leadership role in a community service activity
  • Leadership role in more than one community service
  1. Letters of Recommendation- 15 Maximum Points

The rater should consider the following when determining point allocations:

  • The extent to which the writer provided specific examples of the student’s attributes
  • The depth and breadth of the qualities being described
  • Evidence of unusual or remarkably distinctive qualities or attributes
  • Clarity of relationship
  • The extent to which the writer knows the applicant well enough to make the claims being made

Total Score- 100 Maximum Points

Each member of the panel will score the application. After each member has scored the application, you must average the scores of the entire panel to get the final score for the applicant.

Other compliance requirements, such as measures of good standing, may be required. For information regarding the J. H. “Buddy” Raspberry Scholarship Fund contact Shareen Larmond or Eric Nelson. If you are experiencing problems with the website or accessing documents, please contact the IT Department.