Advanced Educational Opportunities Flourish as Atlanta Housing Authority and Choice Atlanta Impact University Choice Neighborhoods

Eleven choice scholars are joined by the Honorable Mayor Kasim Reed, Choice Atlanta's Ernestine Garey, AHA President and CEO Catherine Buell and Atlanta Public Schools Board Member Byron Amos

Life has been no crystal stair for the recipients of the Choice Atlanta Scholarship. But if experience has taught them nothing else, they've learned that through dedication and hard work their opportunities are endless. This year, 11 scholars received funds to support their matriculation at colleges and universities throughout the state of Georgia for the 2017-2018 school year.

The idea of the Choice Atlanta Scholarship Program came to light shortly after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) and the City of Atlanta the Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant. Light bulbs went off, and the scholarship program was born.

"For the past two years, AHA has had the opportunity to grant the Choice Atlanta Scholarship to deserving AHA-assisted students," said Catherine Buell, president and CEO of Atlanta Housing Authority. "I am pleased that we can directly contribute to continuing the education of these brilliant scholars, as a strong education lays the foundation for their futures."

The Choice Atlanta Scholarship, a merit-based grant, fulfills one of the many Choice Atlanta objectives for educational advancement by assisting eligible individuals to achieve their postsecondary educational goals. Because of Choice Atlanta's commitment to education, 11 students have the opportunity to attend colleges and universities such as Albany State University, College of Coastal Georgia, Fort Valley State University, Georgia Highlands College, Georgia State University, Spelman College, University of West Georgia and Valdosta State University.

A committee of 10 played a key role in the selection process. The members reviewed all applications carefully, ensuring that each candidate met the established eligibility criteria. At the completion of the application and interview process, the committee selected: Niyah Allen, Ayana Graham, Imani Hampton, Jala Hawkins, Jessica Hill, Demetriyana Mathews, Shykeria Meriweather, Jocelyn Reynolds, Troytoria Wade, Damien Walker and Kenya William. Their awards totaled $20,000.

"Since we started the scholarship program, I have been grateful that AHA and Choice have been able to provide financial assistance to youth in the Choice Neighborhood," says Gwendolyn Weddington, Senior Manager for Community Engagement of Choice Atlanta. "We have bright scholars and excellent mentors, and being a part of this process has been an honor." Of the scholars, Allen, Hill and Walker are University Choice Neighborhood (UCN) residents and received the largest awards. The remaining eight recipients all graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, a local Atlanta school in UCN. Allen and Hawkins received full scholarships to Spelman College, and Hampton received a full basketball scholarship to Georgia Highlands College in Rome, GA.

Story submitted to HUD by the Atlanta Housing Authority.

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