Justice scholarship fund aids 84 graduates
Eighty-four Justice High School students who graduated last week received a total of $353,000 in college scholarship money from the Justice High School Scholarship Fund (JHSSF) and its partners.
The JHSSF provides needs-based scholarships to Justice High School graduates who demonstrate a commitment to learning and becoming contributing members of their communities.
The JHSSF awarded $275,000 to members of the Class of 2024, and its partners – including the Rotary Club of Bailey’s Crossroads, the Thurgood Marshall Fund, and the Casey Schulman Foundation – provided an additional $78,000.
The students’ stories are amazing, says Jen Hitchcock, a member of the JHSSF board. “These students have overcome really tough challenges. From medical problems, to family financial challenges, being an emancipated minor, to recent immigrants who left Afghanistan and other countries, these young adults are resilient.”
A typical award is about $2,500, but some students receive between $7,500 and $10,000 when combining awards from the JHSSF and its partners, Hitchcock says. The Casey Schulman Foundation awarded two $20,000 four-year scholarships to Justice seniors this year.
Just over 70 percent of the scholarship recipients are among the first generation in their family to attend college, and 84.5 percent speak a language other than English at home.
The scholarships are meant to be last-dollar funding to close the gap between what the students receive from the federal Pell program, other scholarships, school aid packages, and their families.
To apply, students answer a series of questions, write short essays, and submit recommendations, a transcript, and evidence of financial need. Applicants must have attended Justice High School for at least two years.
This year, the JHSSF not only raised a record amount of money, but it also aided a record number of students – 84, compared to 64 last year.
Since the scholarship fund was established in 2004, the JHSSF and its partners awarded more than $2.7 million to help graduates take the first step toward a college degree.
Wow! Thank you to all who made these amazing scholarships possible. And best wishes to all the new JHS graduates! As a first generation college student who worked long hours and often missed meals to pay that “last dollar” in school fees, I know that as little as $1,000 can make the difference between graduating college and having to drop out after years of hard work. A scholarship like this helped me stay in college and graduate, which created opportunities for my whole family-parents, siblings, and now my children. It’s been so cool to see all that JHS students have done in our community as teens- can’t wait to see what they will contribute as adults! Thank you!
You can help too! Keep telling your story to high school students, so they know what is possible!
This my school
Your sophisticated prose is a testament to the academic rigor of Justice High. Tickled to see that my $15,000 property tax is yielding such a strong return.
Who hurt you, JC? Your comment is the same as waving your fist and telling kids to get off your lawn. If you’d actually bothered to attend the ceremony or the graduation festivities, their accomplishments would put you to shame. I guarantee it.
Wow, punching down to snark at a HS student. Great look.
Migdalia Gomez’s comment is absolutely as sophisticated as it needs to be to make their point. I mean, how did you want them to say that? Also, why are you picking a fight in the first place? Your responsibility to pay your taxes has nothing to do with anything. And there is no logic to you applying your financial situation to a student whom you imply–based on absolutely nothing–is low-performing. If you cared at all about your community, you wouldn’t be tearing down students.
Migdalia, years ago it was my school too; I’m always happy to hear of the awesome things going on there!
Don’t let people like “Junior Connor” diminish your joy, pride, or confidence. Ever. If you give them anything, let it be no more than a passing glance and a dash of pity.
I’m glad to support my local schools. Go Wolves!
This is my school
Migdalia, I am glad that you are attending Justice High School and I hope you will apply for a scholarship when you graduate!
Maybe she can become a surgeon, an airline pilot, or the next Dr. Fauci. The possibilities are endless. Go Ms. Gomez!