23 May 2000
For the first time in the history of the Dallas Independent School District, graduating seniors will receive scholarships from funds raised at events sponsored by General Superintendent Dr. Waldemar Rojas. The Say Yes To Knowledge Gala and the Premiere DISD/General Superintendent Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament held in the spring helped raise a total of $175,000 for scholarships.
"Dallas is a generous city and a city that believes in providing opportunities for improvement for their children," said Dr. Rojas. "Those who contributed to the fund are serious about opening the doors of a better future for our students. Especially to those who can't pursue an education, not for lack of skills or interest, but because they do not have the financial means to afford it."
The recipients of the Superintendent's Scholarship awards will be recognized during the School Board of Education Meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25.
The 85 DISD seniors representing almost all of the district's high schools will be awarded scholarships in the amount of $2000 to the college or university of their choice. The students were selected based on an essay in which they explained how they chose the college or university they wish to attend. Letters of recommendations and evidence of community service were among other requirements.
Some of the institutions of higher education represented are the University of Texas campuses, almost all of the Dallas County Community College District campuses, and out-of-state institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Florida A&M University, Howard University and Brown University.
"Local businesses, civic leaders and district employees understand that it is in our public schools where the future leaders of this city are being groomed. These individuals know about return on investment and know that their contribution today will make an impact in the quality of the workforce of the city's future," said Dr. Rojas.
Scholarship recipients, the high school they attend, and the college or university they have applied to follows.