View the photo gallery from the Uptown Block Party

Twenty-eight CMS seniors are 2012 Broad Prize Scholarship winners. The students learned that they won a $20,000 scholarship from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation during a surprise announcement at a block party held for CMS employees on May 14.

The free block party which took place along Levine Avenue of the Arts, celebrated Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools winning the 2011 Broad Prize for Urban Education. MeckEd, the Charlotte Chamber, Foundation for the Carolinas and Anna Spangler Nelson sponsored the event.

The students had been asked to come and talk about their favorite teacher. Instead, it was revealed that they were the honorees because they have been successful in high school. The seniors and their families erupted into cheers and students began to cry and congratulate each other.

“You are an elite group and we’re very proud of you and your accomplishments,” said Chief Academic Officer Ann Clark.

In keeping with the Broad goal to encourage all students to achieve, the scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who have improved their grades in high school and have a financial need. 

“I remember her telling me that she applied to this scholarship, but she didn’t think she would win,” said Lorraine Roberts, mother of Broad Scholar Katherine Roberts. “Here I am thinking it was an event to recognize the teachers in CMS and here she is a winner of the Broad Prize. A real prize.”

CMS won the 2011 Broad Prize for Urban Education, the largest such award in the country.  The district was recognized for overall academic improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among minority students.

“I was really surprised. I wasn’t expecting to win it,” said Independence senior Meredith Avant. “This scholarship will help a  lot. My family will have three kids in college soon. My sister is already in college and my step-brother will go to college next year.”

Broad Prize scholars receive two- or four-year scholarships depending on the type of college they choose.  Scholarship recipients who enroll in four-year institutions receive $20,000 paid out over four years ($5,000 per year). Students who enroll in two-year institutions receive $5,000 scholarships paid out over two years ($2,500 per year). The scholarship selection and disbursement process is managed by Scholarship America.

The 2012 scholarship recipients and their schools are:

Phillip O. Berry Academy

Kenza Benhammou

Rashad Kee

Butler

Jess West

East Mecklenburg

Arias Ana

Nicholas Mariano

Garinger

Damian Gillard

Miriam Magana

Elexus White

Sydney Williams

Hough

Ethan Blakenship

Independence

Meredith Avant

Mallard Creek

Jeremy Harrison

Myers Park

K’Dejah Feliciano

Bukola Onasanya

Bria Sweat

North Mecklenburg

Joel Brown

Kevin Curtrara

International Business and Communication Studies at Olympic

Kyri Waden

International Studies and Global Economics at Olympic

Dat Do

Nigel Donald

Math, Engineering, Technology and Science at Olympic

Myles Jenkins

Rocky River

Katherine Roberts

South Mecklenburg

Dana Friday

Jesse Borrower

Vance

Jonneshia Smith

Vaughn Suber

West Charlotte

Jessica Fuller

West Mecklenburg

Suehier Ali