Cardinal Ridge Apartments, a HUD Hope VI community in Kansas City, Missouri, is home to two proud scholarship winners. James Gilmore and LaVance Lark were honored by the Educational Foundation of Interstate Realty Management Company, the firm currently managing the Cardinal Ridge development. The individual achievement of each of these two young men demonstrates their commitment to their future through their pursuit of higher education. This year they are among the 80 high school seniors and graduates living in Interstate Reality Management properties who were awarded a total $180,000 in scholarship funds from the Foundation.

James Gilmore is a two-time winner of the Foundation's scholarship award. In 2006, he received $1800 to further his education, and this year, he has been awarded $2100. James will be a sophomore at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He and his family have been residents of Cardinal Ridge for five years. James plans to attend law school when he graduates.

The story of James' success is grounded in personal discipline and service to the community. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and participates in several extracurricular activities at school. He volunteers with the Freedom School, a summer school program for children with an emphasis on reading and culture. James is also a member of the UMCK Orientation Leadership, a group of students that gives tours and provides information to new students and their families. He is a member of The African American Student Union, an organization that provides information about the African American culture and UMKC culture. James also participates in the UMKC Mock Trial competition and is a member of the Kansas City New Vision Ministry Choir. He finds time to participate, with other high school and college student leaders, in a weekly local radio program, Generation Rap.

LaVance Lark, Interstate Realty Management Company Educational Foundation Scholarship Recipient.

James Gilmore, Interstate Realty Management Educational Foundation Scholarship Recipient.

Another scholarship winner, LaVance Lark, is a graduating senior of Truman High School. He and his family have lived at Cardinal Ridge for 4 years. LaVance was awarded a $1500 scholarship from the Interstate Realty Management Company Educational Foundation. LaVance has been accepted at Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, Missouri. His choice of major is business management and broadcasting. He plans to devote his first year to academics but hopes to play football and basketball his sophomore year. LaVance has worked part-time at a neighborhood HyVee grocery store for about 3 years and hopes to transfer to the HyVee store in Maryville. His goal is to one day own and operate his own business.

The criteria used by the Foundation to select grant recipients include academic performance, character, proficiency, and/or potential in a chosen field. High school students applying for scholarships must possess a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent. Character is evaluated through examination of an essay written by the student and three references. Potential and proficiency in a chosen field are evaluated by an essay by the applicant, on a topic chosen by the applicant, relevant to his/her field of study. In addition, the applicant's family must be in good standing with the rules and regulations of the property.