Awards Ceremony Honors 62 D.C. Youths

More than 500 people filled the historic Lincoln Theatre in January to welcome 62 new Scholars at the 10th annual Posse D.C. Awards Ceremony. These students were awarded nearly $10 million in full-tuition merit scholarships from Bucknell University, Grinnell College, Lafayette College, Sewanee: The University of the South, University of Rochester and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“The Awards Ceremony is a celebration of Posse D.C.’s commitment to providing college access and support to talented D.C.-area youth and the substantial investment of our college and university partners,” says Posse D.C. Director Tamara Wilds Lawson. “We are thrilled to recognize these talented young leaders who are beginning an amazing journey together.”

The Scholars, chosen for their exceptional academic and leadership potential, hail from over 40 high schools across the Washington D.C. metro area and more than 51 percent will be the first in their families to attend college.

“The Posse Foundation has awarded me more than a scholarship,” said Courtney Thomas, Jr., a senior at Banneker Academic High School. “It has awarded me an opportunity to share a learning experience with nine other leaders—my Posse family—at the University of Rochester.”

Scholars and their families were joined in celebration by several local and government officials, including D.C. Councilmembers Tommy Wells and Kenyan McDuffie, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson, Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Kevin Maxwell and Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy, among others.

Over the next eight months, Posse Scholars will participate in the 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.

Special Thanks to the 2014 Awards Ceremony Sponsors

Benefactor

Partner
Hilton Worldwide

Advocate
Holly Hassett