16 GCPS Seniors Receive 2014 Foundation Fund Scholarships

GCPS press release

Sixteen Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) seniors, members of the Class of 2014, are this year’s recipients of scholarships facilitated by the school district’s Foundation. Each spring, the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc. coordinates a number of scholarships that are awarded to graduating seniors thanks to the generosity of several organizations and community members.

All 16 students have been invited by the School Board to its monthly meetings throughout the spring where the Board members congratulated them on their academic success. The winning students and the scholarships they received are:

2014 Alton C. Crews Teaching Scholarship

(sponsored by the GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Corey Crain Gray Jr. of Central Gwinnett High
• Jonathan Peraza of Meadowcreek High

Peter Mark Schlueter of Mountain View High
Since 2002, donations made to the Alton C. Crews Teaching Scholarship Fund in memory of Dr. Crews, superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools from 1977 to 1989, have made it possible to award a one-time scholarship annually to GCPS seniors pursuing a career in education. This year, $1,500 was presented to three students.

2014 GCPS Foundation STEM Scholarship

(sponsored by the GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Mark P. Lougee of Peachtree Ridge High
• Lindsey Thrift of Brookwood High

Established in 2013 by the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation, the scholarship is awarded to one or more GCPS graduating seniors with plans to enroll full-time in an undergraduate course of study in science,
technology, engineering, or mathematics. While at GCPS, applicants should have excelled in academics, demonstrated leadership, and performed service, including school and community activities, volunteerism, and work. The amount of the 2014 award is $1,000 for each student.

2014 Susan D. Headley Scholarship

(sponsored by the GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Stephen B. Jenkins of Mountain View High

(sponsored by the GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Lovette Chinyere Ekwebelem of Dacula High

Established in 2013, the King Memorial Mathematics Scholarship honors
mathematics instructor Dr. William King, who served as the district’s
coordinator of mathematics during the 80s. It is a one-time award of $1,000 to a GCPS graduating senior with financial need, an interest in
mathematics, and a desire to pursue a mathematics related field.
                                    --
2014 Jim Maran Scholarship for STEM Studies

(sponsored by the GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Olivia Chong of Brookwood High

Established in 2013 and named in honor of a longtime Gwinnett Chamber
President, the Jim Maran Scholarship for STEM Studies is awarded to one
GCPS graduating senior who plans to enroll full-time in an undergraduate
course of study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. While
at GCPS, applicants should have excelled in academics, demonstrated
leadership, and performed service, including school and community
activities, volunteerism, and work. The amount of the 2014 award is $2,000.

2014 Robbie Susan Moore Scholarship

(sponsored by United Ebony Society of Gwinnett)

• Abril Castro of Peachtree Ridge High
• Briunna Lemons of Mill Creek High
• Nicholas Na of Brookwood High

Founded in 2011 by the United Ebony Society in honor of community activist Robbie Susan Moore, this scholarship recognizes deserving minority students who have exemplified a dedication to community service and to the pursuit of higher education. The amount of the 2014 award is $1,000 for each student.

2014 Louise Radloff Scholarship

(sponsored by Peach State Federal Credit Union and GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Duane Thomas Lee of Archer High
• William Donald Zimmer of Mill Creek High

The purpose of the Louise Radloff Scholarship Program is to provide funds
for Gwinnett County high school seniors who have overcome a significant
personal challenge in order to graduate with a desire to pursue
postsecondary study. This fund was established in 2004 to honor the four
decades of service by Gwinnett County Board of Education member Louise Radloff.  Thanks to the Peach State Federal Credit Union and the GCPS Foundation, each student will receive $2,500.

2014 Dr. Barbara Reed Science Scholarship

(sponsored by the GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Jessie Yuan of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

The Dr. Barbara Reed Science Scholarship is a one-time award to one student who exhibits good character and leadership skills, maintained a 3.0 GPA, and has a desire to enter the science field. Special consideration is given to applicants interested in science education. This award is named in honor of Dr. Barbara Reed, a longtime Gwinnett educator who also served as the district’s director of science. The amount of the 2014 scholarship is $500.

2014 J. Alvin Wilbanks Scholarship

(sponsored by Peach State Federal Credit Union and GCPS Foundation Fund)

• Keri Barrientos of Collins Hill High
• Mehul Bhagat of Peachtree Ridge High

This fund was established in 2007 in honor of CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin
Wilbanks in guiding the district to state and national prominence as
superintendent since 1996. The fund provides a one-time scholarship each
year to GCPS seniors pursuing a career in education. The amount of the 2014 award is $2,500 for each student made possible by the credit union.

Every year, the GCPS Foundation invites high school seniors from across the district to apply for these scholarships. Selection committees, comprised of GCPS employees and community members, are charged with selecting winners based on an essay, the student’s academic record, and service to their community.