2015 Named Scholarship Recipients
Harriet "Ozzi" Mask Scholarship
Hillary's parents immigrated to the United States from New Zealand and she will be of the first generation in her family to attend college. At Stuart, she had an impressive academic record achieving a 4.6 grade point average as an IB diploma candidate. She had major roles in nine theatrical productions, was captain of the Color Guard, and made all state in chorus. Her English teacher wrote, “It is not, however, just in her IB English class that Hillary excels. Hillary is the single best performer I ever have seen in all my nearly thirty years of teaching.” Hillary attends the College of William and Mary.
Lina comes from a single parent home and often worked weekends with her mother to cover extra school expenses while at Stuart. In spite of the financial strains, Lina maintained a 4.2 GPA and was an IB Diploma Candidate. She played varsity Field Hockey, was vice-president of the Key Club, and went to Girls State. A teacher stated, “Lina has astounded me for the past four years. She’s on a mission to become a lawyer, to get involved in politics and to improve the lives of others.” Lina attends the University of Virginia.
Norene Thomas Scholarship
Michelle will be the first person in her family to attend college. According to Michelle, "Being raised by a single parent has formed me into the person I am today: confident and determined." While at Stuart she was an integral part of the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as a choir member and an English and Math tutor. Michelle will major in International Relations at James Madison University.
Svendsen Memorial Scholarship
Fay came to this country as a refugee from Iraq. Her family spent three months in a refugee camp in Seattle before moving to Northern Virginia. She began high school as an ESOL student. Fay’s determination and hard work was summed up by her English teacher who wrote, “Her English acquisition has been amazing. She has improved four years in one.” Fay attends Northern Virginia Community College.
Diana began at Stuart as an ESOL student. Her teacher wrote, “It is remarkable that she has accomplished what she has with the limited time she was here in the U.S.” During high school, Diana worked at an after-school job and found time to volunteer in the community and participate in the Raiders Reader program. Diana attends Northern Virginia Community College.
Enamul came to this country in 2011 when he was thirteen. The transition meant Enamul faced many challenges including learning English and adapting to a new climate, culture, and a very different educational system. At Stuart, he not only learned English, but finished with a 3.95 GPA while working 20 hours per week to assist his family financially. One teacher wrote, “He adjusted to the educational system very quickly and was determined to get excellent grades.” He attends George Mason University and plans to major in Mechanical Engineering.