Verizon Employee Group Awards College Scholarships to 14 Deserving Students Across the Country

WASHINGTON - Paying for college just got easier for 14 deserving and talented students across the country who have earned college scholarships from the Consortium of Information and Telecommunications Executives (CITE), an African-American employee resource group of Verizon. 

Each high school senior will receive between $500 and $3,000 toward college expenses. In a recent luncheon ceremony, each student also was given a laptop computer courtesy of Hewlett Packard, along with a Microsoft Zune digital media player.

This year's recipients are:

• Itanza Saraz Lawrence of California, who will attend the University of California, Irvine and major in political science.

• Ashley Canay Morrow of Florida, who will attend the University of Florida and major in film and marketing.
• Kwasi Appiah Kissi of Georgia, who will attend Georgia Southern University and major in chemistry.
• Bryan Anthony Thomas Jr. of Illinois, who will attend Penn State University and major in mechanical engineering.
• Brandon Grenway of Maryland, who will attend Towson University and major in computer science.
• Candice Brittany Holland of Maryland, who will attend Delaware State University and major in physical therapy.
• Matthew Ewan Richards of Massachusetts, who will attend the University of New Hampshire and major in kinesiology.
• Richard Osei of New Jersey, who will attend The College of New Jersey and major in business administration.
• Patrick Jamal Alvarez of New York, who will attend Syracuse University and major in political science.
• Jaimee L. Daniels of North Carolina, who will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and major in business and biology.
• Jasmin Rushum of Pennsylvania, who will attend Penn State University and major in sociology.

• Ne'Lexia Galloway of Texas, who will attend Howard Payne University and major in accounting and finance with a minor in Spanish.
• Tiffany Lynn Stokley of Virginia, who will attend Virginia Commonwealth University and major in computer science and engineering.
• Sara Michele Khoury of West Virginia, who will attend West Virginia University and major in fashion merchandising and marketing.

CITE selects scholarship recipients based on financial need and academic achievement.  The scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited four-year institution.

Since CITE established its scholarship program in June 1988, the organization has awarded more than $1.5 million to 821 students across the country.

"Education is the key to the high-skill, high-paying jobs of tomorrow," said CITE President Leona Punzi.  "Awarding these scholarships is an investment for a brighter tomorrow for our children, our communities and our company."

For more information on CITE, visit www.forcite.org.

CITE, a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an African-American employee resource group of Verizon, is committed to industry excellence, community service, and personal and professional development.  For the past 25 years, the organization has worked closely with Verizon's senior leadership team to keep diversity issues at the forefront of the corporation.  CITE helps its members understand Verizon's business strategy and their roles in it.  CITE will remain a critical part of Verizon's future success, strive for the best, and continue its journey of helping others in need.

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