<p>Brown University is helping 20 Providence high school graduates pursue college plans with grants from its Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence. The students were honored Wednesday evening in the home of Brown President Christina Paxson during an event attended by school administrators, elected officials, the students, and their families and friends. All have plans to attend two- or four-year institutions of higher learning in September.</p>

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Twenty Providence high school graduates chosen to receive scholarships from Brown University's Fund for the Education of the Children of Providence were honored at an event at President Christina Paxson’s house Wednesday evening, June 4.

 

Celebrating achievement and potential: Smart phones, cameras, and large smiles were everywhere at the celebration of success in the classroom and in life.

Celebrating achievement and potential Smart phones, cameras, and large smiles were everywhere at the celebration of success in the classroom and in life.

The students, their parents, principals, and other school and elected officials listened to remarks by President Paxson, Providence Schools Superintendent Susan Lusi, and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras before receiving their scholarship checks and certificates of achievement. The students, who all plan to attend two- or four-year institutions of higher education in the coming year, each received a $2,500 scholarship toward their college expenses.

 

“I am delighted that Brown University is able to support these aspiring young scholars as they go on to college,” Paxson said. “They have applied themselves, sometimes under the most difficult of circumstances, to thrive and succeed in the classroom and in their lives. They offer powerful testimonials about the enduring value of education in expanding minds, ideas, and opportunities.”

Checks and certificates of achievement: After the celebration, Mayor Taveras tweeted about the importance of opening the door to college so that Providence students can achieve their dreams.

Checks and certificates of achievement After the celebration, Mayor Taveras tweeted about the importance of opening the door to college so that Providence students can achieve their dreams.

For the last two years, the Fund, an endowment established in response to recommendations from the University’s Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice, has been used to support the scholarships awarded to Providence public high school graduates.

Following the event, Mayor Taveras tweeted, “Grateful to @BrownUniversity for your commitment to opening the door to college for so many PVD students so they can achieve their dreams!”

A broad-based committee chooses recipients of the awards. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA throughout high school, have a strong attendence record, and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students who would be the first in their families to attend college. Applicants are asked to write a short essay as part of the application. Essay options include questions about how the students have contributed to their communities and the steps they'll take to make sure they graduate college.

The 2014-15 Scholarship Recipients

  • Hennjer Alcantara attended Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Daniella Angervil attended Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Danilson Castro attended Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Alejandro Claudio attended Central High School and is coming to Brown University.
  • Diamond Dias attended E-Cubed Academy and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Aby Diedhiou attended Time Squared STEM Academy and is headed for Cazenovia College.
  • Elijah Faris attended Hope High School and is headed for the Maryland Institute College of Art.
  • Haiker Feliz attended Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School and is headed for the Community College of Rhode Island.
  • Vanio Goncalves Dos Santos attended Hope High School and is headed for Brandeis University.
  • Arianna Miche attended Providence Career and Technical Academy and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Aalyssa Moore attended Academy for Career Exploration and is headed for Rhode Island College.
  • Jennifer Moreta attended Providence Career and Technical Academy and is headed for Rhode Island College.
  • Maria Ogundolani attended Mount Pleasant High School and is headed for Sacred Heart University.
  • Amber Pettaway attended Academy for Career Exploration and is headed for Eastern Michigan University.
  • Manuel Pineda attended Central High School and is headed for Brandeis University.
  • Tulisa Reeves attended Hope High School and is headed for Rhode Island College.
  • Jamilex Rodriguez attended E-Cubed Academy and is headed for Rhode Island College.
  • Jessica Vaniester attended E-Cubed Academy and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Cyrus Wiefue attended Mount Pleasant High School and is headed for the University of Rhode Island.
  • Ming You attended E-Cubed Academy and is headed for Rhode Island College.