4-year-old College Scholarship Program will
extend for additional year
Joined by parents, educators, elected officials and executives
from Altria, 20 Richmond area students crossed the stage today at
the historic Hippodrome Theater to accept scholarships of up to
$10,000 per year for four years. The students aim to pursue degrees
in fields ranging from education and pre-med, to computer science
and psychology. The scholarships represent the fulfillment of
Altria’s original $2 million seven-year commitment to its College
Opportunity Fund program.
The 20 scholars in the Class of 2015 are the fourth cohort of
students to receive the scholarships. However, Altria announced at
today’s event that it will extend its scholarship program, by up to
$800,000, for a fifth cohort.
“Initially, our efforts in Richmond focused on preparing young
people for success in college,” said Jennifer Hunter, senior vice
president, Corporate Affairs, Altria Client Services. “But
preparation alone doesn’t guarantee students have the opportunity
to pursue higher education. That’s why we created the Altria
College Opportunity Fund scholarship program to help them afford to
go to college.”
Dr. Dana T. Bedden, superintendent of Richmond Public Schools,
said, “We are grateful for Altria’s commitment to expanding access
to scholarship dollars for Richmond Public Schools students who are
often faced with significant economic challenges in their
post-secondary pursuits. We appreciate Altria’s continued support
in helping meet the needs of our students and supporting their
drive for continued learning after high school.”
In addition to their scholarships, Altria scholars receive
support to help them adjust to college and complete their degrees.
This includes financial aid advisory services, assistance with the
transition to college and mentoring while they are in school.
“This is the first year we have granted these competitive
scholarships to students from every RPS high school,” Hunter
said.
Altria has supported educational programs in its headquarters
community for more than 10 years. In 2012, the company announced
the Altria College Opportunity Fund (ACOF), a competitive
scholarship program designed to help Richmond Public Schools
graduates afford college degrees and prepare for the 21st century
workforce.
The 20 ACOF scholarship recipients for 2015 include:
Erykah Adams graduates with a 4.3 from Huguenot High
School. She was her school’s valedictorian, Scholastic Standout and
recipient of the Lester W. Morris Merit Scholarship. She wants to
study neurosurgery and will attend Virginia Commonwealth
University.
Emani Bell is a Richmond Community High School graduate
with a 3.7 GPA. Her work won Best in Show in the Carytown Art Walk
in 2014, and her poetry was published in the Podium Journal. Emani
wants to be an elementary school teacher and will study at Old
Dominion University.
Andre Charles is an Armstrong High School graduate with a
4.4 GPA. He has interned at Capital One and Partnership for the
Future. His cyber security team came in fifth place in the Future
Business Leaders of America state competition. He will study
computer science at the College of William & Mary.
Sophia Chase has a 3.6 from Open High School. She
received the VCU Leadership Award, was on the swim team and worked
as a waitress through high school. She wants to be a teacher and
will attend James Madison University in the fall.
Brianda Chavis graduates with a 4.1 GPA from Huguenot
High School. She was on the Scholar Roll, received the Citizenship
Award, earned the Pacesetter Award from Partnership for the Future
and was the Spanish Student of the Year. Brianda wants to study
elementary education at Longwood University.
Chelsea Crawford is a Richmond Community High School
graduate with a 3.9 GPA. She was junior class president and
received a Counselor in Training Award from Richmond Mayor Dwight
C. Jones. She will pursue a sociology degree at James Madison
University and wants to continue to mentor young students.
Brianna Eaddy graduates from Thomas Jefferson High School
with a 4.5. She was a freshman class senator, a flag corps member
of the TJ Marching Band and a member of the Chess Club. She will
study political science at the University of Virginia.
Niasia Ellis graduated from Open High School with a 3.0.
She received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the
Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award, and the
Prudential Spirit of Community Award of Excellence. She also won
the Miss Teen Essence national title in 2013. Niasia would like to
be a physician to NBA athletes and will attend Virginia Union
University.
Annia Fountain is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High
School with a 4.8 GPA. She is vice president of the Student Council
Association and captain of the Viking cheerleaders. She will attend
the University of Virginia and wants to be a pediatrician.
Riley Hammond is a Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School
graduate with a 3.9 GPA. She was president of the school’s Art Club
and a president of her school’s chapter of the National Art Honor
Society. She had an internship at 1708 Gallery. Riley will study
art history at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Charaje Harrison is a graduate of Huguenot High School
with a 3.8 GPA. She played softball and was a band dancer and the
manager of the school’s basketball team. She wants to be an
anesthesiologist and will pursue her degree at Old Dominion
University.
Juwan Hatch has a 3.0 from Franklin Military Academy. He
received the Senior Army Instructor’s Leadership Award, Superior
Cadet Award, and received the MYA Summer Work Experience
Outstanding Participant Recognition Award. He will study Mass
Communications at Virginia State University.
Emmanuel Hernandez had a 3.25 from George Wythe High
School. He was a member of the Hispanic Police Academy, Police
Athletic League, Capital One Future Leaders and the Mayor's Youth
Academy. Emmanuel wants to be a homicide detective and hopes to
attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
Taylor Kenyear graduates from Thomas Jefferson High
School with a 4.2. She is a member of the National Technical Honor
Society and the National Society for High School Scholars. Her team
was first place district champions for the SkillsUSA Broadcast
News. She wants to study business administration at Virginia
Tech.
Joy McMillian graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School
with a 4.3. She was class president; elected vice president of
Project Next, the art initiative for Art180; and participated in
the VCU Leadership Academy. She will study studio art at Virginia
Commonwealth University.
Randaisha Nickens graduates from John Marshall High
School with a 4.1. She received a Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society
Scholarship and was on the Honor Roll and Scholar Roll. Randaisha
wants to study psychology at Old Dominion University.
Douglas Smith III graduated from Open High School with a
3.6. He received the Richmond City Council and Mayor of Richmond
Certificate of Recognition for FIRST Robotics Team. He also
received the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Youth Award, the West Point
Leadership Award, and the Monroe Scholars Book Award program. He
will study Information Systems at Virginia Commonwealth
University.
Machel Tucker is a Huguenot High School graduate with a
4.1 GPA. She is a member of Praise Dance and sings in the Second
Baptist Youth Choir. Machel attended the Mayor’s Youth Academy
Summer Program. She wants to be a nurse or physician and will
attend Virginia Commonwealth University.
Shakera Vaughan is an Open High School graduate with a
4.6 GPA. She received Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ Youth Academy
Leadership Award, Outstanding Student Award and Academic Excellence
Award. She will study government at Georgetown University.
Wilton Wu has a 4.5 GPA from the Maggie L. Walker
Governor’s School. He was a member of the National Honor Society as
well as the Science, French and Chinese national honor societies.
His was the best delegation at the UVA Model UN Conference. He will
study electrical engineering and computer science at the University
of California, Berkeley.
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