BALTIMORE - Fourteen Maryland graduates whose parents work for Verizon have received good news: They are among 933 students nationwide who have earned college scholarships from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications.
These scholars will receive scholarships for the 2008-2009 academic year through Verizon's scholarship program for the children and dependents of company employees. Each student will receive $5,000 annually toward his or her college expenses and is eligible to receive a maximum award of $20,000 throughout four years of college.
Of the winners, one is from Anne Arundel County; two are from Baltimore city; three are from Baltimore County; one is from Carroll County; one is from Harford County; one is from Howard County; two are from Montgomery County; two are from Prince George's County; and one is from Washington County.
This year's recipients are:
- Scott Brazil of Smithsburg, who plans to study computer engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is the son of employee Perry Brazil.
- Brittany Earnest of Glen Burnie, who plans to study biochemistry at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is the daughter of employee Diane Earnest.
- Chavez Green of Pikesville, who plans to study sports medicine at Morgan State University and is the son of employee Ardra Bailey.
- Kevin Kavounis of Potomac, who plans to study pre-pharmacy at Salisbury University and is the son of employee Christine Kavounis.
- Macy Ledvinka of Parkton, who plans to study physical science at Bucknell University and is the daughter of employee Edmund Ledvinka.
- Malik Mack of Abingdon, who plans to study computer science at Cornell University and is the son of employee Sharla Lloyd.
- Laura Mann of Towson, who plans to study biology at Boston University and is the daughter of employee Barbara Gaeng.
- William Owens of Upper Marlboro, who plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and is the son of employee Marla Owens.
- Alexis Piret of Upper Marlboro, who plans to study international relations at St. Mary's College of Maryland and is the daughter of employee Tina Phipps.
- Kristin Schwarz of Ellicott City, who plans to study nursing at York College of Pennsylvania and is the daughter of employee Charles Schwarz.
- Ashley Sydnor of Baltimore, who plans to study biology at the University of Maryland University College and is the daughter of employee Davina English.
- Sanata Sy-Sahande of Burtonsville, who plans to study political science at the University of Maryland University College and is the daughter of employee Sahande Sy.
- Laura Turvey of New Windsor, who will major in environmental studies at Hendrix College and is the daughter of employee Thomas Turvey.
- Desiree Warren of Baltimore, who plans to study business and fashion design at Albright College and is the daughter of employee Dorothy Warren.
Verizon's scholarship program selects recipients based on financial need, academic achievement and extracurricular activities. The scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to attend an accredited four-year institution.
Since 2001, more than 2,050 students from across the country have benefited from the scholarship program, which has invested almost $32.3 million toward the college education of children and dependents of Verizon employees. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the Verizon Foundation will invest approximately $4.6 million toward the education of 933 Verizon scholars - 250 freshmen and 683 upperclassmen.
"At Verizon, we pride ourselves on being a great place to work, but this scholarship program is more than a great benefit to our employees and their children," said William R. Roberts, Verizon's regional president in Maryland and Washington, D.C. "It's a significant investment in our future leaders and in the future of our communities."
The Verizon Foundation awards the scholarships in partnership with Scholarship America, the nation's largest nonprofit, private sector scholarship and educational support organization, which was founded in 1958.
A list of Verizon scholars is available on the Verizon Foundation Web site, at www.verizon.com/foundation.
The Verizon Foundation supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its signature program, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence. In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $67.4 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in $25.1 million in combined contributions. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 3 million hours of community service since Verizon's inception in 2000.
For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizon.com/foundation.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 67 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employed a diverse workforce of approximately 232,000 as of the end of the first quarter 2008 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.
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