Scholarship

Roger Leon Young is a member of Vine Street Christian Church, where he has served as an Elder, Church Treasurer, Deacon, and on several committees, including celebrating the church's 200th anniversary.

Mr. Young is a member of the Andrew Jackson Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution and served as chapter president in 1997-98. He is a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and served as the State Historian (1993-99), the Deputy Governor of the Tennessee Society (1996-99) and Governor of the Tennessee Society (1999-2002). He also served as Secretary General of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in the United States and Canada (2002-2005). He was a charter member of the Edward Doty Chapter of the Florida Mayflower Society. 

He is a member of the Jamestowne Society, The Somerset Chapter of Magna Charta Barons and served as Regent of the Middle Tennessee Chapter (2000-2002) and as Treasurer of the Tennessee Division (1997-2003), The Association of the Descendants of the Knights of the Garter and Friends of St. George’s, The Society of American’s of Royal Descent, The Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America, The English Speaking Union, and the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (KTJ). He served as President of the Rokeby Homeowners Association (2003-2007). He is a member of the Tennessee Museum Foundation and the Frist Art Museum.

Mr. Young graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Social Work. He attended the University of Tennessee College of Law, Vanderbilt University, and the University of London, Kings College. He retired for employment with the State of Tennessee after serving the people and the state for over 30 years as an Administrative Social Worker and Contract Specialist. He was instrumental in establishing the state’s Title XX contract services program which received national recognition as a model program.

Mr. Young has traveled extensively throughout the world. He served on a medical mission trip to Haiti and frequently traveled to Great Britain. He was a guest at the Royal Enclosure at Ascot and was personally acquainted the members of the Royal Family, the Churchill family, and members of the peerage., He was a guest at the wedding of HRH Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England in 1999. 

He was married to Suzanne Nemeth who died in 2006.

Tennessee Society of Mayflower Descendants

Roger L. Young Scholarship (2026)

Application Information

The Tennessee Society of Mayflower Descendants is offering a $1,000.00 scholarship to a current Tennessee High School Senior or Accredited Home School Program. To be eligible the applicant must follow and meet all guidelines and requirements of the application process set forth.

The following requirements for the scholarship application are:

__ 1. Application Form must be completed in full & attached to the front of

essay included in the packet.

__ 2. An original essay on the topic provided on the following pages. (The

Applicant's judged essay will be the primary focus in scholarship

recipient. However, academic record, resume, and references are

Essential for the entire scholarship process.)

__ 3. One (1) letter of Sponsorship from either a current educator, school

counselor, or administrator. (Must include contact information and be

sealed.)

__ 4. One (1) letter of Character Reference from either a family friend,

supervisor, church or scout leader, club or society leader, etc. (Must

include contact information and be sealed.)

__ 5. Student's Unofficial Fall 2025 Transcript reporting a current 3.0 GPA or

above. (Official graduating transcript will be required showing 3.0 GPA

or above before scholarship money is awarded for the College Fall

semester.)

___ 6. Student Resume that contains High School activities, community

service/or church activities, employment history (if any), interests,

accomplishments, honors, planned course of college study with your

Academic plans.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION IS DUE/POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE

March 1, 2026

or Janet Cantrell, TSOMD Scholarship Chair 

Applicant Name: _______________________ _

Street Address: ______________________ _

City: _________ State: ____ Zip Code: _____ _

Phone Number: -------------

Email: -----------------------

Name of Parents/Guardians: ___________________ _

Address of Parent/Guardian: , ___________________ _

Phone Number: ________________________ _

Email: ----------------------------

Name of High School: ____________________ _

Expected Graduation Date: ___________________ _

Does the Tennessee Society of Mayflower Descendants have permission to

publicize your award? Yes or No (please circle your response)

Applicant's Signature: _____________________ _

If under the age of 18, please have parent/guardian sign for consent, also.

Signature: _________________________ _

Requirements:

Tennessee Society of Mayflower Descendants

Roger L. Young Scholarship

Essay Information and Scoring Rubric

1. Essay should be 650-1100 words in length.

2. Essay must be typed in black ink, double spaced, and in 12- pt. font. 

3. The style guide for references should be MLA Handbook for Writers of Research

Papers by Joseph Gilbaldie or A Manual for Writers of Research Papers,

Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers, by

Katie L. Turabian.

4. All sections must have a 1-inch margin on all sides on 8.5 x 11-inch white

paper.

5. The essay must be written in English with no graphics.

6. The topic of the essay must be present at the top of the first page of the essay

and not included with essay word count.

Information:

1. The essay will be judged by the Tennessee Society of Mayflower

Descendants Scholarship Committee. All decisions by the Executive Board

and Committee are final and not subject for review. Applicants agree that

the interpretation of the rules, guidelines and decisions of the contest

chairman and judges must govern without reservation and that decisions of

the judges are final.

2. Applicants agree that their essay may be published in the TSOMD

newsletter and on the TSOMD Facebook page. By applying for the

scholarship, all applicants agree that the essays will become the property of

the TSOMD.

Essay Topic:

The Pilgrim-Wampanoag Treaty was drafted and signed in March 1621. Why did

the Treaty between the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims come about and what was the

historical significance of the Treaty? What do you imagine would have been the

outcome if the Pilgrims had made a different choice? Describe what happened

before and after the Treaty.

Essay Rubric :

Development {1-5 points}: Understands the prompt. The writer stays on topic

and provides an insightful perspective of the topic.

Organization (1-5 points): Introduction and conclusion contain an interesting

perspective that leads the reader to consider wider questions or ideas.

Transitions are crafted seamlessly to connect sections. Events or sections are

arranged in a sophisticated way that enhances the piece.

Voice {1-5 points}: Tone and style show a strong awareness of audience and

purpose. The applicant's voice maintains a strong presence throughout the

piece.

English {1-5 points): Grammatical and mechanical errors shall be few to none.

Word choice shall be appropriate for age and for audience. All of the

assignment's formatting instructions have been followed.

MAIL ALL REQUIREMENTS IN ONE PACKET TO:

Janet Cantrell, Scholarship Chairman

Tennessee Society of Mayflower Descendants

929 County Road 750

Athens, TN 37303

Due /Postmarked by March 1, 2026