by Mary Wilson
At a time when communities are searching for some good
news, just that came to a Grandview High School junior in the form of a
celebration on Friday, May 1.
Grandview High School junior Jarri Brooks dreams of going to
college and becoming a certified public accountant. On Friday, that dream
became one step closer to reality when Brooks discovered he is one of 1,169 KC
Scholar scholarship recipients across the metro.
“It feels like it’s my birthday, and it’s not my birthday,”
said a surprised Brooks as he met representatives from KC Scholars and local
media on the front lawn of his apartment building in Grandview.
KC Scholars announced on Friday their college scholarships
for low and modest-income students across a six-county area of the Kansas City
region. The awards provide financial assistance, college advisement, and
college planning and persistence support for students who have the greatest
need and who may otherwise be unable to complete a postsecondary degree. This
year, students from 95 public, private, public charter, and home-based high
schools applied for the scholarship.
Brooks, along with six other Grandview High School students,
will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon entering college his freshman year,
renewable up to four additional years. Along with the scholarship announcement
at his home, Brooks was greeted by a parade of cars, with representation from
area colleges and universities like Metropolitan Community Colleges, UMKC,
Mizzou, Donnelly College and many more. A few teachers and administrators from
Grandview also attended the parade.
“Jarri is an outstanding young man. Not just athletically or
academically, but he is a great citizen as well,” said Grandview High School
Assistant Principal Brian Rudolph, who drove through Brooks’ parade a couple of
times. “He is always kind and has an outstanding personality. He will be a
fantastic representative for KC Scholars.”
“KC Scholars stands for hope and opportunity – something our
collective soul yearns for at this time,” said Beth Tankersley-Bankhead,
president and CEO of KC Scholars. “The impact will live on for generations to
come and will enrich our regional community. KC Scholars opens doors of
opportunity for our scholars, and for their families, and ensures fair and
equitable access to education and employment. With the support of this program,
this region’s students can fulfill their dreams.”
Other Grandview students receiving the $50,000 scholarship
are: Sarah Bensahri, Ollie Coleman, Tristyn Little, Tenisha Perkins, Sasha
Sandoval-Williams and Guadalupe Santillanes.
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