GRAD Cincinnati Surpasses $1 Million in Scholarship Awards

“Look where you want to be, envision it and achieve it,” encouraged guest speaker Curtis Mimes to the 32 2013 GRAD Scholars at the annual Scholars Reception at Cincinnati State. Only a year ago, Curtis was sitting in their place as a 2012 GRAD Scholar at Taft. In the fall, he will be a Sophomore at University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering.

At the event, GRAD Cincinnati awarded $105,500 in scholarships to seniors from the 2013 graduating classes at Western Hills University High School (WHUHS) and Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School (Taft). This class of Scholars joins over 270 other students who have been awarded the GRAD Cincinnati Scholarship since 2006. In the past eight years,

photo credit: Kim Dye

GRAD Cincinnati has awarded over $1 million in scholarships and helped identify millions of dollars in additional resources to help students afford college and achieve their dreams. This year alone, GRAD has helped our Scholars identify more than $604,000 in financial aid, scholarships and grants.

Thirty Scholars plan to go on to college in the fall and two prepare to enter the military with future plans of attending college. WHUHS student speaker, DaNesha Bell, told her fellow scholarship recipients to always remember who inspired them to persist through their high school career. Bell reached graduation day because of the hard work and tenacity she put into her education, but she is thankful for all the help she received along the way from her teachers and the GRAD staff.

GRAD Cincinnati Board member, Cheryl Nunez, gave best wishes to the 2013 scholarship recipients telling them to “remember that college is a journey, but you will always find your way back home to GRAD.” By awarding the students these scholarships, GRAD Cincinnati is supporting these students’ futures. Before awarding the students their scholarships, the Board shouted, “We’re investing in you!”

To be eligible to receive the GRAD Cincinnati scholarship, throughout their high school careers, students must have maintained a 93% attendance rate, achieved a minimum 2.5 grade point average, participated in two GRAD Cincinnati Summer Institute programs, and graduate in four years.

Submitted by Laura Reece