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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