Awards Ceremony Honors 61 D.C.-Area Youth Leaders

More than 500 people filled the historic Lincoln Theatre in January to welcome 61 new Scholars at the 11th annual Posse D.C. Awards Ceremony. These students were awarded over $10 million in full-tuition merit scholarships by Bucknell University, Grinnell College, Lafayette College, Sewanee: The University of the South, University of Rochester and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“The Awards Ceremony recognizes these talented D.C.-area youth leaders who are beginning an amazing journey together,” says Posse D.C. Director Tamara Wilds Lawson. “We are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments and acknowledge the substantial investment our college and university partners make in their success.”

The Scholars, who were chosen from a pool of close to 1,600 nominees and demonstrate exceptional academic and leadership potential, hail from over 35 high schools across the Washington D.C. metro area and more than 54 percent will be the first in their families to attend college.

“As a member of the Posse Program, I'm looking forward to embarking on a life-changing journey where I'll be able to learn, grow and, ultimately, make a difference,” says Eunice Geronimo, who will attend Lafayette College. “It feels amazing to be a part of a program that's dedicated to supporting me academically and personally.”

Posse D.C. was honored to be joined by local academic and government officials in celebration of the Scholar’s achievements, including D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy, among others.

Over the next eight months, Posse Scholars will undergo an intensive pre-collegiate training program to ensure they arrive on campus this fall prepared for academic work and student life. This preparation has contributed to a national 90 percent persistence and graduation rate among Posse Scholars at our college and university partners.

Special Thanks to the 2015 Awards Ceremony Sponsors

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Eva Marie Carney and Alan Cohen