High school students in the Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) program attended their year-end recognition banquet in May at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, where more than $67,000 in scholarships were awarded to seven local students.
The annual $20,000 Bradley Ray Hulse Memorial Scholarship, presented by Central National Bank and The First National Bank of Central Texas, was awarded to Shiroz Kazani, a Midway High School senior who plans to attend the University of Texas to study nursing.
The remaining $47,500 was awarded to six other scholarship recipients.
- Kevin Redmond, Waco High School senior, was awarded the $5,000 Reaching Back As You Climb Scholarship, presented by Ashley Philips, LEAD alumna. Redmond plans to attend Sam Houston to study criminal justice.
- Yulisa Palacios, Midway High School senior, was awarded the $5,000 Alton Davis Memorial Scholarship, presented by the Davis Family, Atmos Energy and Slovacekā€™s. Palacios plans to attend Tarleton State University to study pharmacy.
- Alana Chapa, Waco High School senior, was awarded the $5,000 Persistence Scholarship, presented by Magnolia. Chapa plans to attend the University of Houston to study education.
- Patrick Coke, Midway High School senior, was awarded the $7,500 No Boundaries Scholarship, presented by the Battle Family and Brazos Masonry. Coke plans to attend the University of North Texas to study nutrition.
- Imani Downing, University High School senior, was awarded the $10,000 Distinction Scholarship, presented by Magnolia and the City of Waco. Downing plans to attend Texas Tech University to study nursing.
- Ivory Scott, Waco High School senior, was awarded the $15,000 All Star Scholarship, presented by Magnolia and the City of Waco. Scott plans to attend Trinity University to study sports management.
The LEAD program is a business and education partnership that pairs high school students from Waco, University, Rapoport Academy, Harmony School of Innovation, La Vega, Lorena, Robinson, Connally, Midway, West and the Methodist Children’s Home with business leaders to foster mentoring relationships that educate and expose students to various business fields. By improving the studentsā€™ knowledge of higher education and potential career paths, they expand their goals for their future. Through this program, the Greater Waco Chamber hopes to motivate these students to graduate high school and pursue higher education, which in turn ensures greater employability and quality of life.
Since 2010, more than $600,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students.
The LEAD program launched in 2005 with one mentor and five students. This year, the program included more than 50 mentors and more than 150 students.