As part of the Elks national "Most Valuable Student" program, Culver City is awarding two first place prizes of $300 to Chandler D Beon and Isabel J Gilmour, two second place prizes of $200 to both Bartholomew Salv and Maya Luong and one third place prize of $100 to Jesus Pelayo.

Each year The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks sets aside the month of May to honor the most exemplary of our young men and women. Support and dedication to the welfare and future of this nation's youth is a long-held principle of the Order.

The 2018 Most Valuable Student scholarship contest is open to any high school senior who is a US Citizen. Applicants are judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need.

The 20 top finalists in 2018 participate in an all expenses paid Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These 20 finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. The 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000.

The 2018 MVS application deadline has passed but encourage students you know to get information in advance for next year.

The Culver City Elks are proud of the work submitted by our local students and are honored to recognize their essays on Americanism. The prizes will be awarded in an open meeting May 2 when the students will read their winning essays. Friend, parents, and community members are welcome to attend this event which starts at 7:30p.

For more information about the Elks National Foundation (ENF), please visit https://www.elks.org/enf/. For more information about the ENF scholarships, visit https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm.

The Culver City Elks Lodge is located at 11160 Washington Place.