PARIS — The Oxford County Republican Committee announced the establishment of the Oxford County Young Republican Scholarship at the first meeting of 2012.

The $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to an Oxford County high school or prep school senior or a home-schooled student, whose academics performance, personal actions and behaviors and future goals exemplify Republican values, ideals and principles.

The scholarship will be valid toward continuing education at a two-year or four-year college program or at an accredited trade school. The recipient need not be obliged to continue his/her education at a Maine-based institution of higher learning, but the student’s choice to receive post high school education in state will be considered.

Oxford County GOP Chairman Steve Merrill said, “We are thrilled to provide a great opportunity by making the best investment in our future, the education of our youth.”

Ryan Lorrain, Oxford County Republican Committee treasurer, a recently elected selectman from Paris, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Maine House of Representatives and a 2011 graduate of Thomas College, said, “We all know how expensive pursuing a college education can be; it’s great to see our party doing its part to contribute towards a wonderful and rewarding cause.”

The application may be obtained from the Oxford County Republican Committee’s website, www.oxfordcountygop.org, from the high school principal or headmaster or by request from Tom Curtis at [email protected].

All completed applications must be received by Curtis, 539 Waterford Road, Norway, ME 04268, no later than March 9. It is the desire of the Oxford County Republican Committee to have the first recipient notified by the end of March, with the scholarship to be awarded at the next scheduled Oxford County GOP meeting on Tuesday, April 10.