Vietnam Veterans chapter donates $10,000 through DPS Foundation
Four Detroit students have won unique $2,500 scholarships thanks to a newly established partnership between the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 9, and the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.
The longstanding Detroit-based organization donated $10,000 to the foundation to provide these scholarships this year:
- The JROTC Scholarship assists an outstanding graduating ROTC cadet in furthering his or her education.
- The Skilled Trades Scholarship assists a graduate of A. Phillip Randolph Technical High School in his or her pursuit of further education.
- The Unsung Graduate Scholarship recognizes individuals who have confronted their own challenges and helps them pursue additional education. Two scholarships were awarded in this category.
This year’s winners:
JROTC – Russel McIntosh, a graduate of Renaissance High School, will be attending the University of Michigan.
Skilled Trades – Deshawn Durr, a graduate of East English Village Preparatory Academy/A. Phillip Randolph, will attend Macomb Community College.
Unsung Graduate – Jordan Carson, a graduate of Renaissance High School, will attend Michigan State University, and Kayla Tate, also a Renaissance graduate, will attend the University of Michigan.
“It is truly rewarding to be able to support the next generation by helping them further their education,” said VVA Chapter 9 President Paul Palazzolo. “We also wanted to do so in a way that’s a little less traditional, and that’s why we chose these categories.”
Noted Pamela Moore of the DPS Foundation: “These scholarships present a new and unique opportunity for students who otherwise may not have considered post-secondary education.”
The awards were presented during the DPS Foundation’s 2018-2019 Scholarship Award Reception held Thursday (August 1, 2019) at the Northwest Activities Center in Detroit. The VVA Chapter 9 scholarship recipients were among 38 students who received dollars to support higher learning.