Posted by Editor on May 23, 2008 1:35 PM to Education News and Resources
Education News and Resources: Hoop Dreams Fund Gives Hope to Inner City Youth
By Odell B. Ruffin
Special to the NNPA from the Washington Informer
WASHINGTON (NNPA) - In the packed Mansfield Room in the U.S. Capitol Building, Roderick Hall, a senior from D.C.'s Ballou High School, watched as several important political figures spoke on behalf of the organization that helped him reach his goal - to attend college.
"A lot of students have the dreams, but not the means in order to attend college. I am very happy this organization provides that opportunity," said Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer.
"A lot of students have the dreams, but not the means in order to attend college. I am very happy this organization provides that opportunity," said Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer.
On May 7th, Hoop Dreams, a scholarship-based organization that works to create and foster personal relationships between disadvantaged public school students and working professionals through network resources, held a fundraiser at the Annual Congressional Reception. Hall said he appreciated the opportunity.
"My parents had recently been struggling to find money for me. But then I saw them and tried to get a scholarship. It took me a while, but after writing four essays, I got one [a scholarship,]" Hall said.
Several speakers gave special attention to opportunities for young people, including the Federal Pell grants, which used to represent 75 percent of college tuitions. Now, loans make up a greater percentage.
"Since our organization was founded 10 years ago, we've used a number of year-long methods. I am just glad it paid off," said founder Susie Kay, who spoke on behalf of the organization at a podium surrounded by students.
"A lot of this program opened my eyes to something new. I really worked hard for it, networking and meeting people. I feel really appreciative to have received this scholarship," said Ashley Burris, also a senior at Ballou.
What began in 1996 as a one time 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament designed to galvanize a community and raise money for academic college scholarship has grown into a highly successful year-long mentoring, internship and college preparatory program. The distinguished crowd recognized the students with big donations.
"Over 900 students go off to college and get a foothold on their education and are able to achieve their dreams," said Dream Scholarship Fund Communications Director Lester Davis.
"It's a big boost for me to get the money for tuition, because I don't know what I would do. I just feel lucky," said Ballou senior John Gass, who plans to study journalism.
The Hoop Dream Scholarship Fund aims to address the issues of a student's right to a quality public education by investing in youth, and offering them a support in the form of working professionals from throughout the Washington Metropolitan region.
"The District's public schools are filled with talented, hard-working students who will go on to become our future leaders," Kay said. "A lack of financing should not halt high-achieving students from realizing their dreams of pursing a higher education."
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