The Public Education Foundation announced Wednesday that the Leonore Annenberg College Scholarship Fund, through a partnership with PEF, has awarded an all-expenses-paid scholarship to two local students: Matthew Heinichen of Signal Mountain Middle/High and Alexandria Oviatt of Red Bank High School. The award will cover four years of tuition and fees, room and board, books, a laptop, and a stipend to the college or university of the student’s choice beginning in the fall of 2012.
“Matthew Heinichen has it all – intellect, academic achievement, school and community involvement, strong test scores, community service and strong character,” said Signal Mountain Middle/High counselor Leslie Sharpe. “He also works two jobs after school to help support his family. He is an innately intelligent risk-taker who has the potential to accomplish great humanitarian feats. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this tremendous opportunity.”
Jennifer Mitts is Alexandria Oviatt’s Advanced Placement (AP) English teacher at Red Bank High. “I have lain awake at night and worried about Alexandria getting the opportunity to go to college,” said Ms. Mitts. “She is academically gifted and is the epitome of integrity, never missing school, never being late, and always doing her own class work. Her mother suffers from a chronic medical condition, so Alexandria has worked after school to help make ends meet for her family, all the while maintaining her position as the apparent valedictorian of her very competitive class. I am thrilled to learn that she will receive this wonderful scholarship.”
Not only are these remarkable students, but it is remarkable that Hamilton County has two award winners this year. Gail Levin, director of the Leonore Annenberg Scholarship and School Funds, explained: “In general, the scholarship program authorizes an award to a single student in each of its partner sites across the country. This year, however, program administrators struggled with the task of nominating one candidate from several outstanding candidates in Chattanooga. Ultimately, the Selection Council offered scholarships to two exceptional students from Chattanooga whose academic credentials, personal qualities, and great promise exemplify a Leonore Annenberg Scholar.”
The Leonore Annenberg Scholarship Fund identifies high school juniors of uncommon intelligence, empathy and drive who overcome challenging circumstances and demonstrate exceptional character and academic achievement. No more than five students from across the nation are chosen to receive the award each year. It was established in 2007 by Mrs. Leonore Annenberg as part of a 10-year initiative to offer grants and scholarships to young people who possess the potential to become leaders of the next generation.
In partnership with the Leonore Annenberg Scholarship Fund, college advisors with the Public Education Foundation worked to identify and nominate eligible local applicants from Hamilton County high schools. They collected letters of recommendation and transcripts to complete applications for consideration by the Annenberg selection committee. In addition, the Public Education Foundation will serve as fiscal agent for the scholarship.
“We are so pleased to be able to help these two extraordinary young people,” said PEF President Dan Challener. “Their strong character, academic ability and commitment to service clearly reflect the goals of Leonore Annenberg in establishing this generous scholarship, and Hamilton County should be proud to have them as members of our community.”
Leonore Annenberg (1918-2009) served as U.S. Chief of Protocol during the first term of the administration of Ronald Reagan. She served on numerous boards and received many prestigious awards for her philanthropic work, and spent most of her life working toward the enhancement of cultural appreciation among American citizens. Mrs. Annenberg was married for 51 years to the late Walter H. Annenberg, publisher, philanthropist and art collector, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Britain from 1969 to 1974. She succeeded her late husband as chairman and president of the Annenberg Foundation, and continued to donate to worthy causes in the fields of education, the arts, health and civic affairs.
The Leonore Annenberg Scholarship Fund is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Unsolicited scholarship requests are not accepted. Visit www.leonoreannenbergscholarships.org for more information.
Since 1988, the Public Education Foundation has provided expertise, leadership and financial support for a wide range of programs and reforms in the areas of curriculum and instruction, professional development and school leadership. PEF’s College Access and Success Initiative has placed part-time college advisors in every Hamilton County high school to encourage more students to go to college, help them find the “best fit,” and guide them through college and financial aid applications. PEF’s work represents an investment of more than $60 million in the academic success of Hamilton County’s public school students.