The Lee-Jackson Foundation of Charlottesville

The Lee-Jackson Foundation of Charlottesville was founded in 1953 by the late Jay W. Johns, a successful Pennsylvania industrialist transplanted to Virginia, who became a great admirer of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. He believed that both these Americans possessed distinguished traits of character that should be emulated by future generations.

Since both these Virginians were involved in education, the Foundation honors them by working to increase educational opportunities for Virginia's youth. The Foundation has traditionally focused on scholarships as the best vehicle to encourage high school students to continue their education, and sponsors an annual essay competition to make its awards. Scholarships are given for outstanding essays which demonstrate an appreciation of the exemplary character and soldierly virtues of Generals Lee and Jackson. Essays are judged with emphasis on historical accuracy, quality of research, and clarity of written expression.

The length of the essay is not as important as the topic, idea, or points developed. Clear, well-expressed, original essays are sought. Essays might address such topics as General Lee's or General Jackson's heritage and their lives at war and at peace, Jackson as tactician, Lee as a strategist, Lee's or Jackson's impact on modern battlefield tactics, Lee's Christian character, Jackson's religious persuasion, Jackson the enigma, Lee on gentlemanly virtues, Lee as President of Washington College, or possible changes in the course of the Civil War had Jackson not died so early. History and English teachers may be particularly useful resources for ideas to research.

Click Here to read last year's winning essay (143kb).

One $10,000, eight $2,000, and eighteen $1,000 college scholarships are available to Virginia high
school juniors and seniors submitting outstanding essays on the career, character, or some other aspect
of the life of either General Robert E. Lee or General "Stonewall" Jackson, or both.

Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in each of Virginia's eight public high school regions. A $1,000 bonus scholarship will be awarded to the author of the best essay in each of those eight regions.

Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to private school or home schooled students whose essays are judged to be the best of those from this sector. A $1,000 bonus scholarship will be awarded to the author of the best essay in this sector.

An additional award of $8,000 will go to the public school, private school, or homeschooled student who authors the essay judged to be the best in the state.

A $1,000 award will be given to a school in each of the nine judging sectors (eight public school regions
and one private/homeschooled region) in the name of the high school teacher or advisor who sponsors themost participating students in that sector.

Click Here to see a list of last year's winners (27kb).

Any junior or senior in a Virginia public or private high school or home school may apply. The student should not have received a Lee-Jackson scholarship in the past and must be a resident of Virginia who plans to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the United States as a full-time student. Students who intend to enroll in a community college must plan to enroll in the college transfer program of the community college. The contestant should demonstrate the natural ability to succeed in college and have a sincere desire to attend. Financial need is not a requirement.

Application packets are sent to all public and private high schools in Virginia in September of each year. Students may obtain an application form and a complete set of application guidelines including deadlines from their school principal or guidance counselor or by clicking here (141kb).

Students must complete the application form and file it with their school principal. The application must be accompanied by an essay on either General Lee or General Jackson, or both. Deadlines for completion of essays and submission to principals is generally in mid-December.

For more information, please contact the Foundation's Administrator, Stephanie Leech at:

The Lee-Jackson Foundation
P.O. Box 8121
Charlottesville, VA 22906
(434) 977-1861