Seniors in high school across North Dakota and western Minnesota now have the opportunity to take home a $1,000 scholarship through the Apple Award competition presented by Applebee’s, under franchise owner Apple Core Enterprises Inc. The contest kicked off Nov. 1 and will run through May. Monthly winners will be announced and all the monthly winners will have the chance to win one of three $1,000 scholarships at the end of the school year.

“Since our organization’s founding 27 years ago, we’ve been committed to serving our communities through hosting Dining to Donate events and other fundraising and student reward programs,” said Dusty Jensen, Apple Core Enterprises chief operating officer. “Offering the Apple Award student recognition and scholarship program seemed like a fitting next step to strengthen the future of our communities and our business by helping students access higher education.”

Community members, educators, and parents are invited to nominate outstanding students for the Apple Award in their area. Nominations can be submitted through the applecorecommunity.com website. Nominations are open for the first three weeks of each month. The top nominees will be posted to the website for that final week and the public is invited to vote for the Apple Award Student of the Month for their city.

All the monthly Apple Award winners will be asked to submit a scholarship application for the final competition. The top 10-15 applicants from across North Dakota and Fergus Falls will then be posted to the applecorecommunity.com website where the public is again invited to vote for their favorite student. The top vote getter will receive one of the three $1,000 scholarships that will be given away. The other two will be decided upon by a panel of judges based on merit.

Apple Core Enterprises Inc. is the operator of 23 Applebee’s Grill and Bar restaurants including 12 across North Dakota and western Minnesota. These restaurants are located in Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, Devils Lake, Bismarck, Dickinson and Jamestown, and Fergus Falls, Minn.