Toyota Awards $1.12 Million in Scholarships to 100 High School Seniors
13 May 2000
Winners Combine Academic Excellence With Dedication to Community Service
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - They've learned at an early age that the truest form of
success and happiness comes from helping others who are in need. In turn,
they've spent countless hours volunteering their time, giving back to their
communities.
Such is the mantra for the 100 high school seniors who have been named
2000 Toyota Community Scholars. The Scholars program, now in its fourth year,
recognizes those students who have separated from the pack -- they have
distinguished themselves as leaders, not only in the classroom, but, also,
through their commitment and dedication to community service.
The winners -- who were selected from a pool of over 13,000 applicants
nominated by their schools -- were awarded $1.12 million in college
scholarships today by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS). The
scholarships are valued at $20,000 or $10,000 each, over four years, for study
at a four-year college or university starting in the fall of 2000.
Since the program began in 1997, Toyota Motor Sales has awarded
$4.48 million in scholarships to 400 students across the U.S.
"Each year, we are amazed at the special qualities these students possess,"
said James Press, executive vice president of TMS. "Not only are they at the
top of their class academically, but they are also at the top in terms of caring
about the world around them. When you sit down and talk with these teenagers,
you can't help but feel good about the future of this country."
Following is a "sampling" of some of the many community-service efforts
this year's scholars have spearheaded:
* Encouraged community service among high school students by creating a
statewide program that -- in a two-week period -- resulted in over
15,000 volunteer hours and over 19,000 canned food items for the needy.
* Teaches handicapped children how to ride horses, at the same time acting
as a mentor/role model.
* As an 8-year-old, organized a toy drive that benefited homeless
children. Today, 11 years later, the toy drive has grown into a
citywide effort, helping to put holiday presents under the trees of
needy kids.
* After a tragic suicide by a young student at his school, founded a
program that encourages young people to "grow and take a stand." The
program espouses leadership abilities so students will feel comfortable
reaching out to others. To ensure the message is heard, this scholar
designed a web page, wrote a leadership book and distributes monthly
newsletters.
* Acts as a translator for Spanish-speaking children.
* As a high school freshman, founded "Kids for Kids," a program that
provides young homeless children with opportunities and activities that
previously were not available. Included is a free two-week summer camp,
which is heading into its fourth year.
* Co-founded the "Peace Network" coalition, which has brought a diverse
mix of social, political and religious groups together for a common
cause, including many community-service events.
* As a high school sophomore, developed "2000 Tomorrows," which trains
high school leaders to identify community needs and develop a major
service project that is available to their entire student body. Spent
over 1,000 hours the past two years organizing the statewide program,
which included 80,000 high school participants in 1999. This year, over
100,000 students will have the opportunity to serve the needy via 100
different community projects.
* Has organized an annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, feeding
over 450 families the past three years.
* Due to her own grandmother's need for a corneal transplant, founded the
"Organ Donor Project." During a three-day awareness-activities program
its first year, 700 teachers/students participated -- 400 of whom became
organ donors. The program, which has spread to 17 schools nationally
and internationally, has helped thousands of teenagers become aware of
the need for organ donations. Helping to get the message across is a
video and workbook written and produced by this Toyota Scholar.
* Organized food drive for a soup kitchen that netted 2 tons of canned
food.
* Out of a concern for the high rate of youth drownings, developed a free
program that teaches disadvantaged children how to swim. In its first
year, 70 local high school students taught 150 children how to swim.
* Constructed living quarters for the homeless.
* Mentored children in latch-key programs.
* Paired nursing home residents with local teens, providing
companionship/interaction.
The Toyota Community Scholars program is managed by Educational Testing
Services in Princeton, N.J. The 12 national winners ($20,000 each) and
88 regional winners ($10,000 each) were selected by a panel of college and
university admissions officials from across the U.S.
The scholarship winners were guests of honor today at an awards banquet in
Louisville that was attended by education, community, business and government
leaders. Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame football coach and current coach at the
University of South Carolina, was the featured speaker.
While in Kentucky, the students toured Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Kentucky, Inc., in Georgetown, which builds the Toyota Camry and Avalon sedans
and the Sienna minivan. In addition, the Scholars cruised the Ohio River on
the Belle of Louisville -- a historic paddle wheeler -- attended college
preparation seminars and participated in a community service project.
NOTE: A list of Toyota Community Scholars follows.
2000 TOYOTA SCHOLARS
CITY HIGH SCHOOL
ALABAMA
Jason Byrd Trinity East Lawrence High School
ALASKA
Ben Nolting Palmer Colony High School
ARIZONA
Julie Glasser Scottsdale Chaparral High School
ARKANSAS
Vivian Lo West Memphis West Memphis High School
CALIFORNIA
Edward Andrews** Berkeley Saint Marks School
(Southborough, MA)
Kristin Engelbrecht Bleem Long Beach Long Beach Polytechnic High
School
Lynsie Ishimaru Sacramento Mira Loma High School
Ilisten Jones Carson Westchester High School
Meredith Lee San Jose Leland High School
David Lee Cerritos Gretchen Whitney High School
Long Nguyen Anaheim Loara High School
Elaine Samarin** Hacienda Heights La Serna High School
Jason Young Inglewood Pacific Hills School
COLORADO
Adrian Davis Colorado Springs Falcon High School
CONNECTICUT
Dov Licht West Hartford Hall High School
DELAWARE
Christine Chang Newark Archmere Academy
Aleine Porterfield Camden Caesar Rodney High School
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Lan-Anh Phan Washington D.C. Woodrow Wilson Senior High
School
FLORIDA
Benjamin Chen Seminole St. Petersburg High School
Steven Cohen Pembroke Pines University School
Lindsay Hyde** Miami Southwest High School
Kali Stern St. Petersburg St. Petersburg Catholic High
School
GEORGIA
Tamara Huff Columbus Carver High School
HAWAII
Katrina Niehaus Makawao Seabury Hall
IDAHO
Claire Chandler Boise Boise High School
ILLINOIS
Rafi Ahmed** Bensenville Fenton High School
Andrew Klaber Buffalo Grove Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Ginger Ross Chicago Chicago High School
INDIANA
Jennifer Brauer Lawrenceburg Lawrenceburg High School
IOWA
Richard Herbst** LeMars LeMars Gehlen Catholic High
School
Shira Simon West Des Moines Valley High School
KANSAS
Andrew Knopp Manhattan Manhattan High School
Amanda Trigg Gardner Gardner Edgerton High School
KENTUCKY
Zachary Pfanstiel** Paducah Paducah Tilghman High School
LOUISIANA
Joanne Chiu Metairie Academy of the Sacred Heart
Jandel Webb Baton Rouge Woodlawn High School
MAINE
Shirliejean Vail Dover-Foxcroft Foxcroft Academy
MARYLAND
Sheila Chandrasekhara Salisbury James M. Bennett High School
MASSACHUSETTS
Ronaldo Rauseo-Ricupero** East Boston Boston Latin School
MICHIGAN
Cecily Clark Battle Creek Battle Creek Central High
School
Kara Wenzel Belleville Belleville High School
MINNESOTA
Steven Frederick White Bear Lake White Bear Lake High School
Justin Palmen Rochester Mayo High School
MISSISSIPPI
Raney-Mills Turner Jackson Jackson Academy
Amber Wallin Hattiesburg Hattiesburg High School
MISSOURI
Melissa Schapiro Chesterfield Parkway Central High School
Amy Schlueter Rolla Rolla High School
MONTANA
Megan Mobley Olive Powder River Co. District High
School
NEBRASKA
Stephanie Pankonin Louisville Louisville High School
NEVADA
Elizabeth Moss Winnemucca Albert M. Lowry High School
Jeffrey Walker** Henderson Green Valley High School
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Julia Tobias Exeter Phillips Exeter Academy
NEW JERSEY
Marc Freed-Finnegan Montclair Montclair High School
Payal Shah Clark Arthur L. Johnson High School
NEW MEXICO
Li-Wei King Albuquerque Albuquerque Academy
Rori Morrow Folsom Des Moines High School
NEW YORK
Cheryl Bansal Bath Haverling Jr./Sr. High School
Jessica Brondo Glen Cove Glen Cove High School
Anne Godwin Tarrytown Sleepy Hollow High School
Daniel Guando Ridge Longwood High School
Rachel Kolster** New York Chapin School
Keisha Lindsay St. Albans James Madison High School
Kurtis Mayz Wesley Hills Ramapo Senior High School
NORTH CAROLINA
Joseph Falencki Charlotte Charlotte Catholic High School
Benita Jones Raleigh North Carolina School of
Science & Math
Arthur Williams, IV Greensboro Walter Hines Page High School
NORTH DAKOTA
Jennifer Larson Hillsboro Hillsboro High School
OHIO
Jonathan Pyles Dayton Carroll High School
Uma Samant Dayton Centerville High School
Christine Santos Cincinnati Sycamore High School
OKLAHOMA
Kristin DeBusk Altus Navajo High School
Jennifer Harris Lawton Eisenhower Senior High School
OREGON
Richelle Blanchard Eagle Point Eagle Point High School
Megan Hall Portland Saint Mary's Academy
PENNSYLVANIA
Daniel Cellucci Broomall Saint Joseph's Preparatory
School
Gregory Presto Allison Park Hampton High School
Rachel Toaff Merion Akiba Hebrew Academy
PUERTO RICO
Jose Sotomayor Vega Baja Lino Padron Rivera High School
RHODE ISLAND
Thomas Hale Wakefield South Kingstown High School
SOUTH CAROLINA
Mary Adkins Greenville Greenville Senior High School
SOUTH DAKOTA
Monica Olsen Dupree Dupree High School
TENNESSEE
Lindsey Carr Gatlinburg Gatlinburg-Pittman High School
Hugh Lucas Waverly Waverly Central High School
Liza St. John Morrison Coffee County High School
TEXAS
Harry Dao Houston J. Frank Dobie High School
Jay Gilliam Arlington James W. Martin High School
Sara Hudson** Boerne Boerne High School
Jon-David Mohundro Franklin Franklin High School
UTAH
Marianne Hagen Midvale Skyline High School
Melvin Hampton Farr West Fremont High School
VERMONT
Aaron Janus Barre Spaulding High School
VIRGINIA
Julianne Ams Great Falls Thomas Jefferson High School
WASHINGTON
Amy Hille Ritzville Ritzville High School
Mark Miller Prosser Prosser High School
Wynne Scherf Metaline Falls Selkirk Jr./Sr. High School
WEST VIRGINIA
Blaire Nuzum** Fairmont East Fairmont High School
Bryan Stonestreet Bluefield Bluefield High School
WISCONSIN
Jacqueline Gerhart Sussex Arrowhead High School
Julia Styles Mequon Homestead High School
WYOMING
Beau Ballinger** Dubois Dubois High School
**National Winner - $20,000 scholarship
All others receive $10,000 scholarship