In the spirit of the old proverb, "It's an ill wind that doesn't blow some good," 10 graduates of T.C.Williams High School received a total of $50,000 in scholarships during the second annual Mirant-Washington Metropolitan Scholars (WMS) Scholarship Award Program ceremony Monday afternoon at the company's Potomac River Generating Station.
Leading off the speakers congratulating the recipients was Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille, who has been an outspoken critic of Mirant's coal-fired plant and has vowed to do everything possible to bring about its demise. He was followed at the podium by Ed Muller, chairman and CEO, Mirant Corporation.
For one hour on a sweltering afternoon, under a white tent at the entrance to the plant, those differences were put aside in the common spirit of honoring young academic achievement and urging the scholarship winners to "reach for their goals" and return the gratuity to those that follow after they have become successful.
"These scholarships are essential to you realizing your goals. No matter what else happens in your lives you can never lose your education," Euille told the audience.
"I was fortunate that the college I attended, Antioch College in Connecticut, provided me with a scholarship. And, because I had that opportunity I promised myself I would always help others in their quest for higher education," he said.
"Even before I became successful, when I first graduated, I began making contribution to the school's financial aid. Now I give more than $20,000 per year to help scholarship funds and students," Euille said.
"Hopefully, you will not forget to help others get their education. As a graduate of T.C.Williams, I am deeply gratified that T.C. continues to produce students who excel, Just don't forget to give back," Euille stated.
INTRODUCING Muller, Eugene Robinson, chairman, WMS, and an associate editor with the Washington Post, praised Mirant's commitment to T.C.Williams' students by providing "a local resource and making a local contribution. I really applaud Mirant for taking that approach," he said.
"Ed has been a friend of ours (WMS) for many years. In fact, I'm honored to call him one of my best friends," Robinson said.
Founded in 2003 by Robinson's wife Avis, WMS partners with leading colleges and universities "to provide full and partial scholarships to WMS' All-Met scholars with financial needs, in exchange for matching-fund grants of up to $10,000 from WMS." This year's All-Met scholars, drawn from throughout the entire Washington Metropolitan Region, will receive scholarships worth more than $15 million over the course of their four-year college education.
The organization's mission is accomplished with minimal administrative costs and charges no fees to students relying instead on contributions from foundations, colleges, individuals, and corporations, such as Mirant, according to Robinson. "This organization was founded to deal on the ground with real people who have real financial needs," he said.
Speaking on behalf of Mirant, Muller said, "Each of us has an obligation to help people achieve their potential. That obligation belongs to everyone. Now it's Mirant's and my obligation to give back. I ask you to remember your obligation in the future."
Mirant and WMS have partnered to expand the educational opportunities of African-American high school students who seek careers in fields such as environmental science, engineering, and mathematics. Recipients, known as "Mirant Alexandria Scholars," are nominated by their principals and selected from a region-wide competitive pool for their academic achievements and potential in their field of study, according to Mirant and WMS.
To date, Mirant has awarded $100,000 to 20 students who reside in Alexandria over the past two years. An additional $150,000 will be awarded over the next three years, according to the company.
Speaking for Monday's recipients, Joseph A. Francois-Ashbrook, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA, said, "Growing up as a multi-racial child has convinced me that I can help change the world. I am always surprised by others' attitudes toward me because I don't fit into any one group."
In addition to his academic prowess, Francois-Ashbrook played soccer for three years at T.C.Williams, earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and participated in a documentary on diversity entitled "We are Titans." He plans to major in political science.
OTHER 2007 scholarship winners were Danielle Ashton, Taekia R. Blackwell, Mavis K. Gandayl, Mohammed H. Hussein, Eskedar B. Melaku, Brittany Ninman, Tayyaba Syed, Megan Tuck, and Shartis K. Wright.
A previous scholarship recipient, Michael Abraham, now a sophomore at Cornell University, urged this year's winner to pursue their dreams. Majoring in Material Science and Engineering, he will serve as a Mirant intern this summer at the Alexandria Plant.
Alexandria schools