Lennie Baker Scholarship

About Lennie Baker

Lennie Baker, known to Oklahoma as the “Godfather of the Bartlesville Music Scene,” began performing professionally at the age of 18, having developed his skills in church and school choirs. He performed for nearly 50 years throughout the Southwest. He also performed in Hawaii, Cancun, Eureka Springs, Branson, and many other resort areas. Lennie passed away on November 6, 2017 at the age of 75.

Lennie recorded his first record in 1964. The single “I Still Love You” was the main song, and it took several months to write and perfect. However, the flip side, “Leaving You”, was just as popular. Having no experience in recording, Lennie did not even think of a flip side until a few miles from the studio. While recording the first song, Lennie wrote the song “Leaving You.”

For 16 years, Lennie performed throughout the five-state area with the band “Ronnie and The Miracles,” a soul band with a tremendous following. With the emergence of disco and DJ’s, the band dissolved.

Beginning in 1984, Lennie worked as a solo act and front man for local fan favorite “The Gigsters.” His repertoire included a wide selection of blues, rock and roll, country and ballads. He was extremely versatile in the interpretation of different styles of music and had a unique gift of appealing to music lovers of all ages. His favorite music was the 60s, 70s, and 80s. However, his repertoire went back to such songs as “St.Louis Blues,” “Sunny Side of the Street,” and other oldies. He could bring a crowd to their feet when belting tunes such as “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” “Every Time I Roll the Dice,” or “Hold On, I’m Coming,” and he could easily shift the mood with a romantic rendition of “When a Man Loves a Woman.” His love for entertaining was quite obvious by the way he poured his heart, energy, and soul into every song.

Remembering Lennie – Words from his friends.

Award Details:

The Lennie Baker Scholarship is for music students in the local area schools.

To be eligible, applicants must be nominated by a music teacher and must be enrolled in a music program. If the student attends a school that does not offer a music program, the applicant can be nominated by a private music instructor.

This $500 scholarship will be awarded to music students who display great leadership and community involvement.

Eligibility Criteria:

Graduating senior from a local area school
Well-written essay that lists the clubs and organizations of which you are or have been a member and offices you have held while in high school. Also discusses an office or organization that has been especially meaningful to you.
Well-written essay, explaining how have you demonstrated leadership ability
Well-written essay, describing how you have shown the desire to learn and share knowledge and experience with others
Well-written essay, describing how you see yourself continuing to affect your community through music

Required Addendums:

Letter of recommendation from music teacher or private music instructor
First page(s) of FAFSA Submission Summary, up to and including the Student Aid Index number. Refer to FAQs for more information.
Official high school transcript

Lennie Baker Scholarship

Scholarship Application Form

Student/Applicant Legal Name(Required)

First Middle Last

Please provide the name you would like to have listed on a plaque, if you are selected as this scholarship recipient.

Name of Nominating Music Teacher or Private Music Instructor(Required)

Name of High School(Required)

Student/Applicant Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Student/Applicant Phone Number(Required)

Student/Applicant Email(Required)

Please provide an e-mail address that you will continue to use following graduation.

Date of Birth(Required)

Age(Required)

Please list awards, honors, school clubs (including offices served, if applicable), & extracurricular activities.(Required)

Please separate each item with a comma, and provide dates in parentheses. For example: Student Council (2019-2020), Soccer Team (2021-2022), Soccer Team Captain (2020), Band (2019-2020). If none, please write N/A.

Please provide employment history.(Required)

Please separate each job with a comma, and list dates of employment in parentheses. For example, Lawn care (2019-2020), Office Assistant (2020-2021). If you have no employment history please write N/A.

Essay #1. List the clubs and organizations of which you are or have been a member and offices you have held while in high school. Briefly discuss an office or organization that has been especially meaningful to you.(Required)

In 500 words or less, list the clubs and organizations of which you are or have been a member and offices you have held while in high school. Briefly discuss an office or organization that has been especially meaningful to you.

Hidden

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Please upload file as a 1-page pdf, 12pt font, Times New Roman, and double spaced. At the top of each page, type your name followed on the next line by the name of your high school.

Essay #2. How have you demonstrated leadership ability? Leadership may be defined as the ability to motivate others into action. (Examples of demonstrating leadership are: success in youth organizations, student government, school and community organizations; participation in athletics, dance, fine arts; and effectively communicating to others either orally or in writing; etc.)(Required)

In 500 words or less, explain how you have demonstrated leadership ability.

Hidden

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Please upload file as a 1-page pdf, 12pt font, Times New Roman, and double spaced. At the top of each page, type your name followed on the next line by the name of your high school.

Essay #3. How have you shown the desire to learn and share knowledge and experience with others? (Examples of these desires are: asking questions and volunteering answers, joining discussion groups that are not required, researching a topic on your own and offering to share your discovery with others, etc.)(Required)

In 500 words or less, describe how you have shown the desire to learn and share knowledge and experience with others.

Hidden

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Please upload file as a 1-page pdf, 12pt font, Times New Roman, and double spaced. At the top of each page, type your name followed on the next line by the name of your high school.

Essay #4. Bono said, "Music can change the world because it can change people." How do you see yourself continuing to affect your community through music?(Required)

In 500 words or less, explain how you see yourself continuing to affect your community through music.

Hidden

Essay #4. Bono said, "Music can change the world because it can change people." How do you see yourself continuing to affect your community through music?(Required)

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Please upload file as a 1-page pdf, 12pt font, Times New Roman, and double spaced. At the top of each page, type your name followed on the next line by the name of your high school.

What are your college plans?(Required)

I recognize that I must have ONE letter of recommendation emailed to the BCF prior to the application deadline. This letter must be from a music teacher or private music instructor.(Required)

Yes

Letter must be emailed to scholarship@bartlesvillecf.org by the individual making the recommendation.

Please provide the name of the individual providing this letter of recommendation on your behalf.(Required)

If you do not provide the name of the individual writing your letter, we may not be able to pair it with your application properly. The letter must be emailed to scholarship@bartlesvillecf.org by the individual making the recommendation.

FAFSA(Required)

Max. file size: 16 MB.

Please upload the first page(s) of your FAFSA Submission Summary, up to and including the Student Aid Index number. (Refer to FAQs for more information.)

I acknowledge that I must provide an OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT to the BCF prior to the application deadline.(Required)

Yes

Your OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT should be delivered electronically by your school counselor/administrator or e-transcript service (like Parchment) to scholarship@bartlesvillecf.org. Transcripts may also be mailed by the counselor/administrator or e-transcript service to the Bartlesville Community Foundation office at 208 E. 4th St, Bartlesville, OK 74003. Transcripts should NOT be prepared or printed by the applicant.

Are you related to any Bartlesville Community Foundation employees, Board members, or Scholarship Committee members?(Required)

Yes

I don't know

If you answered “yes” above, please list the individual’s name and the nature of your relationship.

Typed Student Name(Required)

By typing your name, you are signing to acknowledge that all information provided in this application is true and correct to the best of your knowledge and that you, the student, completed the application and any required addendums/essays. You should understand that the intent of the Bartlesville Community Foundation and the Scholarship Committee to collect and maintain this data, specifically your term grades and transcript, is to determine your eligibility for this scholarship. Your information will be used for no other purposes.

Date(Required)

Phone

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.