Background and History

The Brothers of the Brush began as a fun and spirited tradition during Mendon’s 300th anniversary in 1967, when a group of ten residents decided to grow beards (“brushes”) in celebration of the town’s tricentennial. Led by founding member Elden H. Barrows, who became the first president of the association, the Brothers of the Brush organized events and antics that ignited community pride during the 1967 celebrations. (One famous episode from that year involved burying all the men’s razors as a pledge, only to have a neighboring town’s club steal the burial marker and hold it for ransom – a prank that Elden Barrows himself helped resolve by plucking out a few whiskers as “payment”!)

It was in this context of community spirit and tradition that the Brothers of the Brush Scholarship Program was established. Named in honor of the late Elden H. Barrows, the scholarship is a memorial to the leadership and dedication he showed during Mendon’s 300th celebration. By supporting young residents who also give back to the town, the program links Mendon’s past and future: it honors a historical figure who helped unite the community in 1967, and it motivates the next generation to continue that legacy of involvement. The Mendham Brush Association officially launched the Elden H. Barrows Memorial Scholarship in recent years as part of its charitable outreach. This scholarship program has quickly become a valued tradition in Mendon, reinforcing the idea that the town takes care of its own – from commemorating its heritage to investing in its youth.

Key Dates and Timeline

While exact dates can vary slightly from year to year, the Mendon Brothers of the Brush Scholarship follows a regular annual timeline aligned with the school year. Below are the key dates and milestones to keep in mind for the scholarship cycle:

• Early Spring (March): Scholarship Announcement and Application Release. The scholarship program is announced in early spring each year. In March (sometimes early April), the Mendham Brush Association publicizes the new scholarship cycle. Application forms become available at this time – they are distributed to local high schools and made available by request. (For instance, the 2025 scholarship was announced in early March 2025 in the local press.) Students should start their applications as soon as the forms are out.
• Application Deadline – Late April: Submit Completed Applications. The due date for applications is typically in the second half of April. In past years, the deadline has fallen around the end of April. (For example, a similar local Mendon scholarship program had an application deadline of April 28, 2023, and the Brothers of the Brush scholarship is usually on a comparable schedule.) It is wise to check the exact deadline each year – it will be clearly stated on the application form or announcement. All application materials must be turned in by this date for consideration.
• May: Review and Selection Period. During the month of May, the Brothers of the Brush Scholarship Committee reviews all submitted applications. This is the deliberation period where the committee evaluates each candidate’s eligibility and community service contributions. No specific action is required from students during this time, except to await results. If the committee has any questions or needs additional information, they would reach out (though this is uncommon if the application was complete).
• Late May to Early June: Winners Notified and Announced. The scholarship recipients are usually selected by mid-to-late May. Notifications to the two winners are sent out shortly thereafter. Often, the announcement is timed with school events – for instance, winners may first learn of their award during their high school’s senior awards night or graduation events. In some cases, the Mendham Brush Association may also announce the winners in the local newspaper or town website around the end of the school year. By early June (around graduation), winners will have been publicly acknowledged.
• June (Graduation Season): Award Presentation. The scholarship awards are conferred around graduation time. Brothers of the Brush representatives may present the scholarship checks or certificates to the students at a school ceremony or town event. If an in-person presentation isn’t feasible, the award will be mailed to the student with instructions for use. By this stage, the students can celebrate not only finishing high school but also being honored for their service to the community with the Elden H. Barrows Scholarship.
• After June – Follow-Up: While not a formal part of the timeline, after receiving the scholarship the students will work with the Mendham Brush Association to arrange use of the funds (typically by depositing the check into a college/student account or using it for qualified expenses). The Association may invite the new scholarship alumni to stay in touch. There might also be a brief mention of the scholarship winners at the Mendon Annual Town Meeting or in a town report for public record, usually listing the names of the recipients as thanks for their community service.

Keep an eye on local media and school communications starting each March for the latest dates. It’s also helpful to mark these general timeframes on your calendar at the beginning of senior year, so you can plan ahead. Missing the deadline is a common reason students miss out on scholarship opportunities – the Brothers of the Brush make their deadline generous enough to get applications in after April school vacation, but they do stick to it strictly. If you have any doubts about dates, you can contact the scholarship committee or your guidance counselor for clarification. By adhering to this timeline, you’ll ensure your application gets full consideration.

Application

Download Application

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants for the Mendon Brothers of the Brush Scholarship must meet several criteria to ensure the award benefits local students who demonstrate the program’s values. Applicants must:

• Be Mendon residents. The scholarships are reserved for students who reside in the town of Mendon, MA. (Students may be attending high school elsewhere, but their primary residence must be in Mendon.)
• Be graduating high school seniors. Applicants should be in their final year of high school, on track to graduate in the current academic year. The awards are aimed at helping recent graduates with upcoming college or trade school expenses.
• Attend a local high school. Students enrolled at local area high schools – for example, Nipmuc Regional High School, Blackstone Valley Tech, or an equivalent public or private high school serving Mendon – are eligible to apply. Home-schooled students of senior status may also qualify, but should check with the scholarship committee.
• Plan to pursue higher education or vocational training. The intent of the award is to assist with the cost of post-secondary education. Whether a student is college-bound or entering a technical/trade program, they are encouraged to apply. The scholarship funds can help with tuition, fees, or even necessary tools and educational materials for those entering a trade.
• Demonstrate community involvement and service. This is a key distinguishing criterion. Candidates should have a proven record of volunteering or helping in the community – for instance, involvement in local organizations, charity work, or acts of service benefiting Mendon residents. The scholarship committee looks for students who have “provided service to their community and support to local organizations, families and/or individuals” in ways consistent with the purpose and spirit of the Mendham Brush Association. In other words, the ideal applicant embodies the Brothers of the Brush values of kindness, civic involvement, and hometown pride.

It’s important to note that the scholarship is not strictly needs-based or academic-based; rather, it focuses on rewarding character, community service, and future potential. There is no specific GPA requirement or test score cutoff publicized. All Mendon seniors who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply, regardless of their field of study or financial background. By requiring community service, the program encourages young people to engage with and give back to their town, reinforcing the cycle of community support.

Application Process

Applying for the Brothers of the Brush Scholarship is a straightforward process. The Mendham Brush Association typically announces the scholarship availability each spring and provides application forms through local high schools and online requests. Below is an overview of the steps in the application process:

1. Obtain the Application Form: Students can pick up an official Elden H. Barrows Memorial Scholarship application from their school’s Counseling Office (guidance department) once the scholarship is announced for the year. Nipmuc Regional High School and Blackstone Valley Tech usually have the forms available for Mendon seniors. Alternatively, an electronic copy can be downloaded from this webpage.
2. Prepare the Required Materials: Along with filling out the basic application form (which will ask for information like name, address, school, and likely a summary of your involvement in the community), applicants should be prepared to submit any additional materials requested. Typically, this may include:
   • A personal statement or essay: Often the application will ask for a short essay describing your volunteer service in the community, why it’s important to you, and/or how you plan to continue contributing to the community in the future. This is your chance to highlight your community service experience and personal connection to Mendon.
   • Letters of recommendation (if required): The scholarship committee may ask for one or two brief recommendation letters or reference contacts, ideally from someone who can speak to your character or community involvement (such as a teacher, coach, volunteer supervisor, or community leader). Check the application instructions – if letters are not explicitly required, you will at least need to provide names of references.
   • Academic or enrollment verification: You may need to provide a copy of your high school transcript or a letter from your school confirming you are a senior in good standing. Additionally, if you have already been accepted to a college or vocational program, there might be a spot to note that (though it’s usually not required to have finalized post-secondary plans at the time of application).
   • Completed application form: Ensure every question or section on the form is answered. Incomplete applications might not be considered, so double-check that you’ve filled in all fields and attached all requested documents.
3. Submit the Application: Once your application form is completed and you have gathered any essays or references, submit your application by the stated deadline. Submission can typically be done in one of two ways:
   • Through your School Counseling Office: Many students will hand in their completed application to their high school guidance counselor. The schools in Mendon coordinate with the Brothers of the Brush committee, so the counselors can collect applications and forward them to the selection committee.
   • By Email or Mail: If instructed (for example, if you obtained the form by emailing the committee chair), you might submit your materials electronically. Follow the instructions on the form – some students may scan and email their application directly to the Mendham Brush Association’s scholarship committee. In some cases, applications can also be mailed to the Association’s P.O. Box (see the contact information in the Call to Action section below). Be sure to send it early enough to arrive by the deadline if mailing.
   After submission, you should receive a confirmation (either from your counselor or via email) that your application was received. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to politely follow up with the scholarship contact to confirm they have everything they need.
4. Selection and Notification: The Brothers of the Brush Scholarship Committee reviews all applications following the deadline. Applications are evaluated based on the eligibility criteria and the quality of the student’s community service involvement, as illustrated in their essay and recommendations. Typically, the committee will make their decisions by May. If you are chosen as one of the scholarship recipients, you will be notified by the committee or through your school. Often, the announcements might coincide with school award ceremonies or graduation events in late May or early June. For example, winners may be acknowledged publicly at Nipmuc Regional High School’s Senior Awards Night or in a community news release. If you do not hear by mid-to-late May, it’s safe to assume the winners have been selected; unfortunately, due to the volume of applicants, the committee may only communicate directly with the winners (but sometimes they announce all applicants in a thank-you note or at least inform the school counseling offices of the outcome).
5. Awarding of Scholarship Funds: The actual scholarship funds are usually provided to the winners around the time of high school graduation. The Mendham Brush Association will coordinate the disbursement of the $500 award to each student. In many cases, the scholarship comes as a check that can be used toward college tuition, tuition deposits, textbooks, tools, or other education-related expenses. Winners might be invited to attend a brief ceremony (or photo opportunity) with members of the Brothers of the Brush, or the award may simply be mailed or delivered to the student with a congratulatory letter. The scholarship is a one-time award, but recipients will forever be part of the Brothers of the Brush legacy – often their names are mentioned in town reports or on the Association’s website to inspire future students.

Throughout the application process, students are encouraged to ask questions and seek guidance. School counselors in Mendon are familiar with this and other local scholarships and can help you put together a strong application. Remember to start early, especially on the personal statement, so that you have time to revise and ensure you clearly articulate your community contributions. The committee genuinely wants to get to know you through your application – what you’ve done for the town and why continuing your education is important to you. Every year, the group looks forward to reading about the amazing young people in Mendon who are making a difference.