scholarship

On Aug. 16, the Southwest Neighborhood Assembly (SWNA) Education Task Force (formerly Scholarship Committee) celebrated its 40th year of awarding scholarships to students living in Southwest DC. The awards ceremony was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where more than 40 guests, including former scholarship recipients, gathered to meet this year’s recipients. Since 1974, the SWNA Education Task Force has awarded scholarships to more than 275 college students living in the Southwest and Capitol Riverfront communities.

The following students were awarded scholarships of $1,500 each this year:

Khadijah B. Chase entered Howard University as a sophomore to major in Nursing. Her first year of college was at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC, where she majored in Biology and maintained a 3.8 grade point average. Kadijah graduated from Metropolitan High School as an 11th grader and was the salutatorian of the class. She earned all the credits needed to graduate from a four-year program within three years.

Gary T. Hill is a sophomore at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania majoring in Early Childhood Education. He graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School in 2013. Gary was a volunteer distributor for The Southwester for five years. This summer, he gained experience in his field of study, working with elementary school children at the YMCA. Gary also worked as a guest service representative at Nationals Park. Upon graduation he plans to return to DC and teach.

Asha R. Marshall entered Radford University in Radford, Virginia as a Mortuary Science major and hopes to become a funeral home owner. She is a 2014 graduate of KIPP DC: College Preparatory-KIPP Public Charter Schools, where she was recognized as a strong math student willing to help others. One of her most meaningful high school experiences was completing a 10-day community service project in Costa Rica. While there, she helped to repair a local school and teach children.

Marlon Mitchell is a junior at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio with a 3.0 average. He is a 2012 Woodrow Wilson Senior High School graduate where he served, at different times, as both captain and player of the Woodrow Wilson SHS Baseball League. He also played for the Tenleytown Woodrow League. Marlon enjoys bike riding, reading, and listening to music.

Tyree Price entered Lincoln University in Pennsylvania as a freshman History major. He graduated from Thurgood Marshall Academy PCHS in 2014. A well-rounded student, he was recognized for his accomplishments in basketball, football, and acting in both middle and high school. Tyree performed in “Celebrating my Roots,” a Black History Program at his school. For six consecutive summers, he served as a player and employee for the Barry Farms Goodman League Tournament. Tyree is the oldest of seven siblings.

Yurlee Tinsley is a Senior Business Management major and Human Resource Management minor at South Carolina State University. He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc., the Society of Human Resource Management, the National Association of Black Accountants, and Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. Yurlee is a 2010 graduate of Woodrow Wilson Senior High School.

The scholarships will provide students with financial aid for tuition. Students needing a computer were provided a laptop through the SWNA Technology Task Force, which is chaired by Perry Klein.

The scholarships are funded through community support. Friends of Southwest DC, a long-time community partner for this effort, funded two scholarships and Westminster Presbyterian Church funded a portion of one student’s scholarship. Other contributors included individual donors, Gangplank Boat Tour, Jazz Night in Southwest, Harry’s Reserve Fine Wines and Spirits, and Carter and Wiggins Trash Removal. Money for the scholarships was also funded by two yard sales.

By: Vyllorya Evans

Co-Chair, SWNA Education Task Force

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