RRHA Awards Five Exceptional Students College Scholarships
(Richmond, Va., June 19, 2009)—Five students, who live in Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties, have been selected to receive Tomorrow’s Promise college scholarships.
The students will receive their awards Monday, June 22 at 5:30 pm during the Board of Commissioners Meeting being held at RRHA headquarters, 901 Chamberlayne Parkway.
“This is one of the best parts of my job,” said Anthony Scott, RRHA’s chief executive officer. “Helping our young residents achieve the goal of higher education is a key element of our mission of building stronger communities. We have so many skilled, exceptional residents it was a challenge to single out just five. These exemplary students have set a glowing example for the younger students who will follow them.”
“Public housing has, unfortunately been judged by negative actions of a few,” Scott said. “These young people represent the hard-working, positive residents who make up the majority of our families. It’s an honor for us to be able to reward their hard work.”
In addition to the scholarship awards, the students will also receive coaching and mentoring throughout college from RRHA staff. The students know they were selected to receive the scholarships and will learn the exact dollar amount on Monday.
The scholarship awards will go to:
Francyne Hamilton of George Wythe High SchoolFrancyne plans to major in business administration at Virginia Union University. “I decided to major in business administration because it’s challenging and I like challenging things,” Francyne said. “I’m very happy about the scholarship and very excited about going to college, meeting new people and having more responsibility.”
Theron Haynesworth of Armstrong High School
Theron plans to major in biology at Longwood University. “My mentor said I should branch out and try to discover colleges that I never heard of that would be a good fit for me,” said Theron, who is in the top 10 of his graduating class, has perfect attendance and works at a local McDonald’s. Theron’s extracurricular activities include the Armstrong Leadership Team, Armstrong Young Men of Distinction and the Future Business Leaders of America. “I’m on cloud nine,” said Beverly Haynesworth, Theron’s mother. “I’m so proud of him. He’s had it together since kindergarten and now he’s getting ready for college. This scholarship helps a lot. He’s been working at McDonald’s for almost a year and he’s saving his money to help with college.”
Shyneka Jones of Thomas Jefferson High School
Shyneka plans to major in biology at Virginia Union University. An active student, Shyneka volunteers at the Veterans Hospital and the Salvation Army. She’s a member of her school’s beautification club and is a master sergeant in the Air Force JROTC. “My grandmother encourages me to keep my grades up,” Shyneka said. “She inspires me to do my best in whatever I do and she tells me that only great things come from working hard.” Shyneka’s grandmother, Jacqueline Smith, is, of course proud. “The scholarship is important because she wants to go to college,” Smith said.
Victoria Jones of Franklin Military Academy
Victoria plans to major in theology/psychology at Virginia Union University or the ROC School of Urban Ministry, both in Richmond. “This will help me a lot,” said Victoria, who participates on the Drill Team, Adventure Training Team and Richmond Outreach Center Youth Programs . “Every cent counts.” Asked her secret, Victoria said, “I keep my grades up by studying, paying attention in class and attending school regularly.” She was named Superior Cadet in JROTC and Most Dedicated Student in Geometry. Her mother, Elizabeth Jones, said she was “very excited,” when she learned of the scholarship. “I’m very thankful to RRHA for this,” Jones said. “We’ve been very blessed.”
Jennifer Tillery of Armstrong High School
Jennifer, who has maintained a 3.9 grade point average, will major in biology at Spelman College in Atlanta. “I want to become an obstetric gynecologist,” said Jennifer, who also participates in cheerleading, Future Business Leaders of America, Junior ROTC, a book club and the debate team. “I was so happy it was overwhelming when I first found out about the scholarship.” Jennifer has also won a $7,000 scholarship from the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association and she’s received an additional $4,000 in donations to help offset Spelman’s cost of more than $30,000 per year. Jennifer’s mother Nancy Bucey said the scholarship will be a huge help. “The scholarship is very important with the economy being the way that it is,” Bucey said.
Ralph Stuckey, resident services program manager at RRHA, calls each of these students “great role models.”
“In 1995, RRHA realized that so many students go unrecognized,” Stuckey said about the origins of the Tomorrow’s Promise scholarships. “These students have the potential for post secondary education but not the money, and we are honored to assist them in their academic endeavors.”
Past RRHA scholarship winners include those who are now a college professor, a real estate officer, a bank loan officer, counselor, and an attorney.
What: RRHA Tomorrow’s Promise Scholarship Awards
When: June 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: RRHA headquarters 901 Chamberlayne Parkway
# # #
The students will receive their awards Monday, June 22 at 5:30 pm during the Board of Commissioners Meeting being held at RRHA headquarters, 901 Chamberlayne Parkway.
“This is one of the best parts of my job,” said Anthony Scott, RRHA’s chief executive officer. “Helping our young residents achieve the goal of higher education is a key element of our mission of building stronger communities. We have so many skilled, exceptional residents it was a challenge to single out just five. These exemplary students have set a glowing example for the younger students who will follow them.”
“Public housing has, unfortunately been judged by negative actions of a few,” Scott said. “These young people represent the hard-working, positive residents who make up the majority of our families. It’s an honor for us to be able to reward their hard work.”
In addition to the scholarship awards, the students will also receive coaching and mentoring throughout college from RRHA staff. The students know they were selected to receive the scholarships and will learn the exact dollar amount on Monday.
The scholarship awards will go to:
Francyne Hamilton of George Wythe High SchoolFrancyne plans to major in business administration at Virginia Union University. “I decided to major in business administration because it’s challenging and I like challenging things,” Francyne said. “I’m very happy about the scholarship and very excited about going to college, meeting new people and having more responsibility.”
Theron Haynesworth of Armstrong High School
Theron plans to major in biology at Longwood University. “My mentor said I should branch out and try to discover colleges that I never heard of that would be a good fit for me,” said Theron, who is in the top 10 of his graduating class, has perfect attendance and works at a local McDonald’s. Theron’s extracurricular activities include the Armstrong Leadership Team, Armstrong Young Men of Distinction and the Future Business Leaders of America. “I’m on cloud nine,” said Beverly Haynesworth, Theron’s mother. “I’m so proud of him. He’s had it together since kindergarten and now he’s getting ready for college. This scholarship helps a lot. He’s been working at McDonald’s for almost a year and he’s saving his money to help with college.”
Shyneka Jones of Thomas Jefferson High School
Shyneka plans to major in biology at Virginia Union University. An active student, Shyneka volunteers at the Veterans Hospital and the Salvation Army. She’s a member of her school’s beautification club and is a master sergeant in the Air Force JROTC. “My grandmother encourages me to keep my grades up,” Shyneka said. “She inspires me to do my best in whatever I do and she tells me that only great things come from working hard.” Shyneka’s grandmother, Jacqueline Smith, is, of course proud. “The scholarship is important because she wants to go to college,” Smith said.
Victoria Jones of Franklin Military Academy
Victoria plans to major in theology/psychology at Virginia Union University or the ROC School of Urban Ministry, both in Richmond. “This will help me a lot,” said Victoria, who participates on the Drill Team, Adventure Training Team and Richmond Outreach Center Youth Programs . “Every cent counts.” Asked her secret, Victoria said, “I keep my grades up by studying, paying attention in class and attending school regularly.” She was named Superior Cadet in JROTC and Most Dedicated Student in Geometry. Her mother, Elizabeth Jones, said she was “very excited,” when she learned of the scholarship. “I’m very thankful to RRHA for this,” Jones said. “We’ve been very blessed.”
Jennifer Tillery of Armstrong High School
Jennifer, who has maintained a 3.9 grade point average, will major in biology at Spelman College in Atlanta. “I want to become an obstetric gynecologist,” said Jennifer, who also participates in cheerleading, Future Business Leaders of America, Junior ROTC, a book club and the debate team. “I was so happy it was overwhelming when I first found out about the scholarship.” Jennifer has also won a $7,000 scholarship from the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association and she’s received an additional $4,000 in donations to help offset Spelman’s cost of more than $30,000 per year. Jennifer’s mother Nancy Bucey said the scholarship will be a huge help. “The scholarship is very important with the economy being the way that it is,” Bucey said.
Ralph Stuckey, resident services program manager at RRHA, calls each of these students “great role models.”
“In 1995, RRHA realized that so many students go unrecognized,” Stuckey said about the origins of the Tomorrow’s Promise scholarships. “These students have the potential for post secondary education but not the money, and we are honored to assist them in their academic endeavors.”
Past RRHA scholarship winners include those who are now a college professor, a real estate officer, a bank loan officer, counselor, and an attorney.
What: RRHA Tomorrow’s Promise Scholarship Awards
When: June 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: RRHA headquarters 901 Chamberlayne Parkway
# # #
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