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22 Columbus City Schools Seniors Earn Prestigious I Know I Can Founders’ Scholarships
May 27, 2022 -- Making the dream of attending college a reality and easing the financial burden that’s the goal of Columbus City Schools (CCS) and I Know Can (IKIC).
Twenty-two Columbus City Schools seniors have been named recipients of the I Know I Can Founders’ Scholarship worth up to $10,000 per academic year for up to four years. These prestigious awards will provide these Class of 2022 seniors with much-needed financial support as they pursue the dream of higher education at the college or university of their choice.
“One of the biggest hurdles in attending college is tuition. As partners in the success of our students, we share the responsibility of investing in their future,” said Columbus Superintendent/CEO Dr. Talisa Dixon. The degree they will earn may be the first college degree earned in their family. They will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to make an immediate impact wherever they go.”
The Founders’ Scholarship represents a more than a three-decade-long partnership between I Know I Can and Columbus City Schools to make higher education affordable for students. Since 2010, IKIC has awarded 200 CCS students with more than $6-million in I Know I Can Founders’ Scholarship funding.
"These students are highly capable, smart, and motivated to pursue their dreams. We hope this scholarship serves as a catalyst for them to fulfill their educational, career, and life goals. Like the others who came before them, we are confident that they will make the most of this opportunity for themselves, their families, and our community,” said I Know I Can Executive Director Katina Fullen.
To earn a Founders’ Scholarship: Students must have a 3.0 Cumulative GPA, completion of the Columbus City Schools’ College Preparatory Curriculum, a minimum attendance rate of 93%, continuous enrollment throughout high school, graduate from a CCS high school in 2022, have a demonstrated financial need for college, and completion of IKIC college access milestones; two or more college applications submitted, three or more one-on-one IKIC advising sessions, and free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion.
I Know I Can offers several notable Founders’ Scholarships in partnership with select colleges and universities. These institution-specific scholarships require that a student, if selected, remain at the awarding university and or college for the duration of their undergraduate education. One student is chosen for each Special Founders’ Scholarship.
The following CCS seniors will be honored during the 2022 Founders’ Scholarship Celebration on Tuesday evening, May 24. Congratulations!
- Daniel Martinez-Escalante (Briggs High School), attending Tiffin University
- London Brooks (Briggs High School), attending Ohio Wesleyan University (Special Founders)
- Riley Creagh (Columbus Alternative High School), attending The Ohio State University
- Gabrielle Michaille (Columbus Alternative High School), attending The Ohio State University
- Bryan Phandone (Columbus Alternative High School), attending The Ohio State University
- Nyrobi Whitfield (Columbus Alternative High School), attending Oberlin College
- Saduf Dada (Centennial High School), attending The Ohio State University
- Maurice Harrison (Eastmoor Academy), attending Purdue University
- Music Thornton (Eastmoor Academy), attending The Ohio State University
- Anoulak Blanchet (Fort Hayes Arts & Academic High School), attending Columbia College-Chicago
- Trinity Perry (Linden-McKinley STEM Academy), attending The Ohio State University
- Carleigh McGee (Marion-Franklin High School), attending The Ohio State University
- Simone Tatum (Northland High School), attending The Ohio State University (Special Founders)
- Pau Lian (Northland High School), attending Ohio Dominican University (Special Founders)
- Joel Moren (South 7-12), attending The Ohio State University
- Dado Bah (Walnut Ridge High School), attending The Ohio State University
- Cameron Hughes (Walnut Ridge High School), attending Columbus College of Art & Design (Special Founders)
- Gustavo Jordan (West High School), attending Otterbein University (Special Founders)
- Alice Sorrel (West High School), attending Capital University
- Rafael Arebalo (Whetstone High School), attending Rose Hulman Institute of Technology
- Isaac Fleece (Whetstone High School), attending Capital University (Special Founders)
- Inez O’Malley (Whetstone High School), attending The Ohio State University
The Founders’ Scholarship application for the 2022-2023 academic year is now open. Learn more by visiting the I Know I Can website.