DC Students Awarded Record Number of Scholarships
UPO’s 37-year commitment to education was once again evident when the agency recently awarded scholarships under its UPO/Joseph A. Beavers Scholarship program, a fund endowed by the agency’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast.

Thus far, the citywide scholarship fund has awarded more than $200,000 to deserving DC students allowing both high school and G.E.D. graduates to attend the college, university, or specialized training school of their choice. Yes, UPO is one of only a few DC-based groups that awards comparable scholarships to General Education Development (GED) graduates.
Potential awardees participated in a rigorous interview process that included a written essay. The Scholarship Committee, made-up of UPO Board members and staff, moved expeditiously to make certain students had their awards in time for the fall 2000 semester.

	Holding their certificates surrounded by staff and Board members are from left, Latosha M. Marable, Lynette D. Hinton, Valentina O. Orfordire, James A.E. Hill, Lynette R. Collier, Tiffany L. Pittman, and Hilda Rodriquez. Not shown are Temeisha M. Hamiliton and Natarsha N. Wright.

Meanwhile, another record was broken when the agency awarded a record nine scholarships, three more than in previous years.

The list of year 2000 awardees represents a cross section of DC students, hailing from various sections of the city while maintaining an astute interest in their respective neighborhoods. Lynette R. Collier graduated from Banneker Academic High School and will attend Johnson C. Smith University. James A.E. Hall graduated from Washington Math and Science and will attend the University of the District of Columbia. Temeisha M. Hamilton graduated from Cardozo High School and will attend Baltimore’s Morgan State University. Lynette D. Hinton graduated from the School Without Walls and will attend the University of Maryland. Latosha M. Marble graduated from Dunbar High School and will attend the University of the District of Columbia. Valentina O. Orfordire graduated from Dunbar High School and will attend Virginia State University. Tiffany L. Pittman graduated from Cardozo High School and will attend Virginia State University. Hilda Rodriguez graduated from Keystone Center and will attend Southeastern University. Natarsha N. Wright graduated from Dunbar High School and will attend University of Maryland.

UPO continues to emphasize higher educational attainment even in its daily interaction with customers. The agency has clearly learned that the new economy requires additional learning on the part of students. Additionally, poverty can be substantially reduced by the added learning.

Most of the awardees will be on hand during UPO’s 17th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast set for January 15, 2001 specifically to meet DC citizens, many of whom contributed to their awards. Some corporations, while long supportive of UPO’s Breakfast, are now eagerly designating contributions specifically to the scholarship fund. Such goes far in the ageny’s overall commitment to higher education.

The Fund is named for the late Joseph A. Beavers, longtime member of UPO’s Board of Trustees and legendary Washington, DC area labor leader who maintained a lifelong commitment to youth and education. In 1992, the Board of Trustees posthumously honored Mr. Beavers by naming the scholarship fund in his honor.

Other articles - this issue
1. UPO's Funding of Latino Community Organizations Helps Diverse Neighborhoods Prosper.
If the community action concept stands for anything, first and foremost must be its ...

2. Youth Issues Top Agency's Thrust During Summer
DC's young people have long recognized UPO as a place to go for quality ...

3. DC Students Awarded Record Number of Scholarships
UPO's 37-year commitment to education was onece again evident ...

4. UPO Acquires Operation of Senior Network
It has had several names during its 30-year existence, actually starting out as ...

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