2019 Melvin C. High Scholarship Awards Presentation

Upper Marlboro, MD… The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff announced the 4 scholars who are the recipients of the Ninth Annual Melvin C. High Scholarship award. They are: Mr. Zane Curtis-Thomas, graduate from Parkdale High School, Miss Christiana Pablo, graduate of Bowie High School, Miss Zipporah Sewell, graduate of Charles Herbert Flowers High School, and Miss Farhana Uddin, graduate of Charles Herbert Flowers High School.

Applauding the 2019 winners and scholars from previous years Sheriff High said, “Scholarships are important because a student needs a key to get the door open and that’s good grades, but when you get into the room, there are expectations that our society has for its brightest and that is service, leadership, character and citizenship. Not just one, but all these traits are important and when you find them all in one, you found someone who will accomplish great things for his or her community.”

The special guest speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Kia Myrick McDaniel, ED.D., coordinating supervisor, Specialty Programs with the Prince George’s County Public Schools. Dr. McDaniel. shared insights about life and advised the scholarship winners to enjoy the college experience and encouraged them to stay the course in achieving their individual goals. She urged them to remember three C’s: Community, Compassion, and Creativity. She urged students to give back, stay in touch with and build Community wherever they go; She urged them to be compassionate with themselves as well as towards others and to strive to work through difficult times with humility and grace. Finally, Dr. McDaniel urged students to embrace their creativity in themselves as a form of self-care and to be open to exploring different pathways and definitions of success.

Each Melvin C. High Scholarship winner is awarded $1,000 payable to the student and the college of his choice. As with previous winners, the scholarship winners have exciting plans. Mr. Zane Curtis-Thomas, will attend the University of the District of Columbia for two years, then transfer to Howard University for two years, as a 2 + 2 Transfer Student, Zane’s Major will be Music, Associate of Arts Program (Jazz Studies) after which he will pursue a Bachelor of Music (Music Education); Miss Christiana Pablo plans to attend Bowie State University with a Major in Biology / Biomedical Science; Miss Zipporah Sewell will attend Robert Morris University with a Major in Communications, and Miss Farhana Uddin will attend the University of Maryland – College Park with a Major in Biomedical Engineering.

The Melvin C. High Scholarship was begun by Sheriff High in 2011, his first year in office. Award recipients are selected from among 12 finalists who are chosen from among more than 100 applicants.

  An independent “Final Selection Committee” of three judges and an alternate review the finalists’ applications to choose the four winners. Their decision is based, not only on academic excellence but on students’ involvement in school, neighborhood and church, activities, including athletics, the arts and community outreach.

For additional information, please contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.