Norma Ross Walter was a Navy Wave during the Second World War and a career newspaper editor in California. A lover of Cather and frequent visitor to Red Cloud, she was also a firm believer in education for young women. At her death in 1982, she left a bequest to fund a scholarship program. The purpose of the Norma Ross Walter Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to female graduates of Nebraska high schools who plan to enroll as English majors in accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be female high school seniors who are prospective first year college students and plan to continue their education as English majors in accredited colleges or universities. Selection is based on intellectual promise, creativity, and character of the applicant. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. Applicants must submit an original essay. It is also permissible to use a previous essay the applicant might have written on Cather and one that they can adapt to the scholarship guidelines. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Willa Cather Foundation for more information.