2011 Capital Chapter Foundation
Toni K. Allen Memorial Scholarship
Jeffrey Wood
This year's winner of a $15,000 Toni K. Allen Scholarship is Jeffrey Wood. Jeffrey attended Roosevelt High School. Jeffrey plans to attend George Mason University in the fall where he will major in Economics with a goal of becoming an International Economist. He plans to minor in Environmental Studies and/or Chinese. One of the reasons he chose George Mason is because of its diverse population. He felt this was in keeping with his ultimate goal of giving back to the global community and, as such, hopes to start a nonprofit organization focusing on global leadership, languages, and cultures for children and young adults in the D.C. public and charter schools. He plans to work for the U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association or for the Environmental Protection Agency. During the summer of 2009, Jeffrey studied in Beijing, China as part of a language, cultural immersion and community service program. He worked at a school for migrant children. This gave Jeffrey an appreciation for what he has and he continues to stay in touch with one of the younger students he met while in China. Jeffrey won an award for passing the beginner's language exam at the end of his time in China. He wants to continue to learn more about other cultures and to embrace people from all backgrounds. Jeffrey belongs to the Future Business Leaders of America (Capital Chapter). He has been the State Secretary, taking minutes of meetings and posting them to the website and Vice President. The FBLA has various meetings and events with guest speakers. As Vice President, Jeffrey helped to coordinate all aspects of the events. Also as an FBLA member Jeffrey tutored algebra five days per week to lower classmen.
Jeffrey and his parents will be joining us at the July 14th Quarterly Networking lunch.
2010 Capital Chapter Foundation
Toni K. Allen Memorial Scholarship
Malaika Nicholas
The 2010 Capital Chapter Foundation Toni K. Allen Memorial Scholarship $15,000 winner is Malaika Nicholas, a graduate of Benjamin Banneker High School. Malaika will be attending Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and hopes to become a forensic pathologist and ultimately a medical examiner. The selection committee was impressed with Malaika's GPA of 3.82, SAT score of 1750, and extensive list of leadership positions and activities. Malaika's volunteer work included the Make-A-Wish Foundation Kid's Triathlon, and DC Health Services for Special Needs Kids which she found very fulfilling; she described it as life changing to help someone realize they can in fact do something that others thought they could not; to help change the stereotypes and stigmas attached to children with disabilities.She was Captain of the Soccer team and the Youth Representative for the City Football Club. Malaika is a member of the Urban Soccer Collaborative Youth Advisory Board that promotes soccer programs around the world; there is a trip to South Africa this summer to help children learn about soccer. Malaika overcame her shyness by "stepping outside of her comfort zone," and being a leader by volunteering as a tutor, teacher's assistant and informal mentor to the students at Shepherd Elementary School. Malaika is very passionate about her career choice, she has a real gift for investigation and a desire to understand how/why the human body functions as it does. Malaika says she was inspired by her Father's death and wants to leave a lasting imprint on the world — her goal is to be the inventor of the first functional artificial liver, to give others a second opportunity at life that her father could not embrace. Malaika is a gifted young woman and well deserving of our scholarship.
2009 Capital Chapter Foundation
Toni K. Allen Memorial Scholarship
Janell Holloway
The 2009 Scholarship Selection Committee had the honor, and difficult task, of reviewing the applications of 14 amazing students. One student stood above the others for everyone on the selection panel. The 2009 Capital Chapter Foundation Toni K. Allen Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $15,000 was awarded to Janell Holloway, an upcoming graduate of Benjamin Banneker High School.Janell will be attending Harvard University and hopes to become a doctor. The selection committee was understandably impressed by Janell's GPA of 3.99, SAT score of 1880, and extensive list of leadership positions and activities. Janell has been a volunteer for the past 4 years at Safe Shores: DC Children's Advocacy Center where she helped the center to distribute materials and educate the community regarding child abuse. She worked in the ER at Washington Adventist Hospital for 2 years which led her to her career goals. Among her many accomplishments, Janell is the Founder of Speaking Hands — a club for learning sign language, was the Op-ed Editor of the Banneker Student newspaper, and was a member of the FIRST robotics team. Outside of school she enjoys dance, acting and works for a dog walking business. Joe LaFonte, who interviewed Janell, said "If I were a sports team, she would be my #1 pick. Her open mindedness is a great gift. Janell is an extremely gifted student. But more than that she is driven, has a great understanding of what she wants and what she needs to do to achieve her goals".
Janell is a gifted young person and well deserving of our scholarship. The Foundation is pleased to be able to help Janell in her quest for higher education.
