UCM Executive Director Nichelle A. Mitchem (far left) and Meg Silva (far right) of Battelle present Battelle-UCM Scholarship awards at West Potomac High School to Jennifer Jimenez (left) and Dana Briosos (right). Photo Contributed
United Community Ministries (UCM) and Battelle awarded their Battelle-UCM Scholars for 2015. Funded by a grant from Battelle, the competitive college scholarships are designed to encourage graduating high school seniors at Mount Vernon and West Potomac High Schools to pursue college studies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Two students at West Potomac High School were each awarded a scholarship of several thousand dollars at the school’s Convocation Ceremony on June 17:
- Dana Briosos: Notre Dame College, with plans to study psychology.
- Jennifer Jimenez: Virginia Commonwealth University, with plans to study biology.
On June 18, four students at Mount Vernon High School were each awarded a scholarship of several thousand dollars at the school’s Senior Awards and International Baccalaureate Recognition Ceremony:
- Derrick Adjei: Virginia Commonwealth University, with plans to study computer science on a pre-medical track.
- Mohammed Ali: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
- Kwasi Darkwah: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, with plans to study computer science.
- Agabus Okyere: Virginia Commonwealth University.
The scholarship program encourages youth to attain higher education, with a focus on STEM studies and its potential for future employment success. UCM also brings additional resources, such as employment preparation and placement, to the graduates as they move forward in higher education and in seeking employment.