IN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

(Wilmington, Del.) The Delaware Higher Education Commission has announced the recipients of five state merit scholarship programs for the 2007-2008 academic year. Merit scholarships are competitive and awarded based on a student’s academic performance, participation in school activities, and service to the community. Students can apply for Delaware merit scholarships in their senior year of high school and all five awards are renewable.

Three of the programs are memorial scholarships that honor state legislators and provide full tuition, fees, room, board, and books at the public colleges in Delaware.

The B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the former Speaker of the State House of Representatives, is awarded to one student each year enrolling at the University of Delaware.

The Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the first African-American State Senator in Delaware, is awarded to one student at Delaware State University.

The Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the former Speaker of the State House of Representatives, is awarded to one student at each school who is majoring in the humanities or social sciences (preference is given to political science majors).

Alissa Sheila Werzen of Thomas McKean High School is the recipient of the B. Bradford Barnes Scholarship while Ashley E. Glover of POLYTECH High School received the Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Charles Emmett Clark and Heather Renee Lehman, both of Caesar Rodney High School, are the recipients of the Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship.

The Diamond State Scholarship and the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship assist students attending regionally accredited colleges in any state. Winners of the Diamond State Scholarship receive $1,250 per year while Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship recipients receive $1,500 per year (based upon funding from the U.S. Congress). For the 2007-08 academic year, 45 students were awarded Diamond State Scholarships and 14 students received the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. A list of the winners for these awards follows.

“The students who compete for these scholarships have dedicated themselves to achieving a high standard of academic excellence,” says Carylin C. Brinkley, programs administrator. “There is a great deal of pride felt during the review process when you realize how committed these young people are to their education and communities. The Commission wishes all of our recipients continued success in their future academic journeys.”

Merit Scholarship Winners 2007-08

Delaware’s Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.