May 2008

GW Awards Full-Ride Scholarships to Nine D.C. High School Students

D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee Joins GW President Steven Knapp to Announce the 2008 Trachtenberg Scholarship Recipients
As an audience of family members, friends, and fellow students cheered, GW President Steven Knapp presented nine outstanding high school seniors with Trachtenberg Scholarships worth more than $200,000 each. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee also participated in the special ceremony, held at Benjamin Banneker High School on April 5.

The scholarship recipients were: Sarah Jackson, Omari Daniels, and Taylor Moore from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School; Mharibeth Caparas from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School; Natasha Dupee from School Without Walls; William Echbihi El Idrissi and Veronica Torres from Theodore Roosevelt High School; and Bdho Gidey and Mariam Mohammed from Woodrow Wilson High School.

Jackson says she was ecstatic when she heard she was receiving one of the scholarships. “I was overcome with emotion, and my mother was crying her eyes out,” says Jackson. “I’m very appreciative of GW and all it
has given me, and I’m looking forward to next year.”

“These scholarships are just one example of GW’s strong commitment to the success of the D.C. public schools,” says Knapp. “We recognize these nine graduating seniors for their leadership potential, their academic achievement, and their community service. We look forward to welcoming these scholars to our campus this fall. I congratulate the students, their families, and their teachers.”

Since 1989, the GW Trachtenberg Scholarship program has provided 99 academically talented D.C. high school seniors with full, four-year scholarships, which cover tuition, room and board, books, and fees. The University has committed more than $11.5 million to the program. These scholarships, along with other grants and work-study programs, make GW the largest single post-secondary contributor of aid to students from D.C. public schools for the last 15 years.

“These George Washington University scholarships are an investment in our students and in our city,” says D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty. “These talented seniors will have the latitude to develop their leadership skills and career aspirations with the resources of one of the nation’s premier research institutions. We look forward to the contributions our young citizens will make on the future development of the District. We know that GW and President Knapp are committed to the health and vitality of the District of Columbia.”

Rhee echoed that sentiment, saying, “GW’s recognition of the best and brightest students in the public schools has a significant impact on families and removes the questions about how to pay for college. Also, GW is an important ally in helping improve our school system. These scholarships are only one of many partnerships in which D.C.P.S. and the University are actively engaged. We appreciate the role GW plays with our students, teachers, administrators, and families.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu