Upper
Marlboro, MD… Sheriff Melvin C. High awarded scholarships
to three Prince George’s County High School (Class of 2012) graduates today
during the third annual Melvin C. High Scholarship Awards Presentation. All three winners will attend the University
of Maryland-College Park this fall.
Parents
and family were in attendance at the Sheriff’s Headquarters to congratulate Cadeem
Franklin of Oxon Hill High School and Dariya Brown of Bishop McNamara High
School as they accepted scholarships checks in the amount of $1,000 each. The
third scholarship winner who is already taking classes is Shalom Keflezghi of
High Point High School. The Scholarships,
named after Sheriff High, are fully funded by the Sheriff.
“We received over 90 applications from
outstanding young high school graduates,” said Sheriff High. “This scholarship
is something I do because my interest is in young people reaching their
greatest potential and because someone helped me.”
In
congratulating the winners Sheriff High asked three things of the students: that
they stay focused and on course, that they be good parents when they become
parents and that they reach back to help someone coming behind them.
Lt.
Colonel Regina Taylor, Bureau Chief of Field Operations, whose staff coordinates
the scholarship application process read comments written about each student
from recommendation letters. “While
academic achievement is certainly an important criterion, we look for the
well-rounded students and you all fit the bill. We are extremely proud of the
work you have done and will continue to do. The Sheriff and staff wish you the
best in all your endeavors.” said Lt. Colonel Taylor
After
an Academic Committee narrows the selection of applications down to ten
finalists, an outside, independent Scholarship Committee is asked to review the
applications of the ten finalists to pick the winners. This year’s committee included Retired Fire/EMS
Battalion Commander Thelmetria Michaelides, Ms. Elaine Zammet, Legislative
Assistant to Delegate Aisha Braveboy and Derrick Coley, Citizens Services
Specialist for Councilman Obie Patterson.
For
more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at
301-780-8637.
###