OKC foundation awards scholarships
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation awarded $386,000 in scholarships to 193 graduating seniors from 52 central Oklahoma high schools through the Community Foundation Scholars Program.
The scholarships are a portion of more than $1.6 million the OCCF will award to students across Oklahoma this year alone.
Miguel Chavez, of Western Heights High School, is one of 101 scholarship recipients who will be the first in their families to attend college.
A son of Mexican immigrants, Chavez grew up in poverty and says the free school lunches were often the best meal he would have all day. Despite these obstacles, he was determined to excel in school and achieve a college education.
In addition to working a part-time job to help support his family, Chavez is involved in many school and community activities. He is a student athlete, Rotary Youth Leadership, Upward Bound participant, Youth Leadership Oklahoma graduate and student council president. Chavez has received several other scholarships, including being named one of 150 Coca-Cola Scholars nationwide.
“Through my experiences, I quickly realized I’d have to start being exceedingly proactive if I wanted to change the circumstances that encompassed my life,” Chavez said.
“My obstacles have not only cultivated the entrepreneurial spirit within me, but have also caused my sense of empathy to blossom, inspiring me to use the knowledge, life lessons and skills I’ve acquired to make a positive impact in the world around me.”
“Miguel has become a real leader in our school,” said Bonnie Wood, Western Heights counselor. “His positive influence has really helped to change our culture.”
Program keeps growing
Through the Community Foundation Scholars program, graduating seniors from 52 central Oklahoma high schools apply for scholarships. Recipients include students who might not be at the top of their class academically, but are good students and active in their communities, as well as students who will be the first in their families to attend college. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 award for the 2017-2018 academic year.
“Since 1998, our Community Foundation Scholars program has awarded $3.3 million in scholarships to 2,221 students in central Oklahoma to help them attend college,” said Nancy B. Anthony, Oklahoma City Community Foundation president.
“This is just one component of our scholarship program that continues to grow each year thanks to the support of many generous donors.”
To ensure students are eligible for the awards, each school’s guidance counselor must participate in the Central Oklahoma Guidance Counselor Network, a free program that provides training opportunities on college admissions and financial aid practices.