April 20, 2004
Springing It on the Scholars
GW Surprises 10 DC Public School Students with Opportunity
of a Lifetime
By Claire
Duggan
One of The George Washington Universitys favorite events
the presentation of the annual Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships
cut through a damp spring day to warm the hearts of all those on
hand. GW representatives paraded through six DC public schools on their
mission to herald the news of full four-year scholarships for 10 of the
citys leading high school seniors.
Its certainly one of the most uplifting and anticipated moments
of the year for me, said Sammie T. Robinson, associate director
of undergraduate admissions.
This year, aboard a van dubbed the Prize Patrol, Robinson
and his crew visited six schools in six hours, surprising the seniors
with full scholarships to GW.
I cant tell you what a blessing this is, said Maurice
Brown, a senior at Eastern High School. Knowing I can afford this
is such a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders.
The award is a complete package covering tuition, room and board, books,
and fees for exceptional students of DC public schools valued at
$180,000 over four years.
Students in the District are our children, and GW has to carry a
certain amount of responsibility for that, said President Stephen
Joel Trachtenberg. We can serve as an example to others and provide
these accomplished young people with what we do best: higher education.
It just feels good, said Emmanuella DuPlessy, a Presidential
Administrative Fellow and professional assistant to Vice President for
Government, International and Corporate Affairs Richard Sawaya, who helped
welcome the latest class of Trachtenberg Scholars. Its the
only way to describe it. As a GW alum, Im really proud of what the
University has done for so many years to help these exceptional DC students.
Almost all of the recipients had learned only the day before that they
were accepted into GWs class of 2008.
People were congratulating me and I thought my dad had just bragged
about me getting in [to GW] the day before, said Duke Ellington
High School senior Davie Yarborough. I didnt realize some
of these teachers were maybe talking about the scholarship award.
Since he had filed as an early decision applicant, Brown knew he had been
accepted to GW more than three months before he learned about being accepted
into the Trachtenberg Scholarship Program. Though he tried not to worry
about it, he had been anxious about whether or not he could afford to
attend GW.
Ive been soaring all week, Brown said a few days after
the announcement. I am very excited to come to GW. I have my whole
life planned and this scholarship is the reason why.
Brown, who has already charted a path leading him to medical school, said
he plans to stay completely focused on academics while also
learning to manage my time better so that I can enjoy the fun things
at GW, stay involved with my church.
Duke Ellingtons Yarborough has a similar challenge balancing a tough
course load and extra-curricular activities. I intend to major in
communications and minor in both French and Spanish, she said. Im
also excited to have free time and I think I will look into club softball.
I know I definitely want to work at the student radio station.
Browns plans epitomize the goal of the program to nurture
these students to one day be leaders in the District. If we assure
they can become all they can be then we can help create the next generation
of leaders, Trachtenberg said. These students are the people
that are going to be the heart of DC in the years to come.
This years other awardees include: Lindsey Brown, Janaiha Nelson
and Chinyere Offor, Benjamin Banneker High School; Myo-Sabai Aye, Bell
Multicultural High School; Andre Lindsey and Aisha Russell, School Without
Walls; Katia Thomas, Woodrow Wilson High School.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
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Related Link
SJT
Scholars Continue to Give Back to School, Community
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