June 21, 2007 – The St. Croix Foundation has announced the ten recipients of three of its summer enrichment educational grants and scholarship funds. The grants are part of the foundation's growing list of targeted educational programs, which include: the Dove Memorial Art Scholarship, the Math and Science Scholarship, and the Ludington Literacy Grant.
The Dove Memorial Art Scholarship Fund, created for students serious about developing their artistic skills, is offered every spring to students interested in the arts. Established in memory of local street artist Lloyd "Dove" Braffith, this year four Dove Scholarships ranging from $500 to $750 were awarded to: Yaira Bermudez, Shakyma Mercado, Elle Nielsen, and Sonny Ortiz so that they may attend workshops and classes with renowned dancers at the New York City Broadway Dance Summer Intensive. Another talented dancer, Jessica Willock, was awarded a scholarship to attend the Academy of Ballet Florida Summer Workshop with Music in Motion for two weeks. Ninth-grader Chantel Abbott is the first Dove Scholarship recipient for the culinary arts. Chantel will be studying at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale over the summer.
Math and Science Scholarships are provided each summer to eligible students who have identified a program focusing on math, science, engineering or technology. With a maximum amount of $2000, this year's award recipients were Tahirah Chichester and Julia Julien, who will be attending the Lead America Medical Conference and Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program respectively.
Finally, Ludington Literacy Grants were awarded to two successful applicants this spring. With a grant award in the amount of $2,000, the Reading Association will be establishing its "Mothers Cuddle and Read" Program at Juan F. Luis Hospital. Designed to foster good reading habits, the association will advocate early childhood literacy to first-time mothers of newborn babies by providing informational packages, including books, brochures and pamphlets. A second grant in the amount of $1000 was awarded to Jnique Smith, a tenth-grader from St. Croix Central High, to complete her Advanced Placement studies at Princeton Summer School.
The St. Croix Foundation would like to thank all those who applied and congratulate the talented and dedicated award recipients. For the spring grant cycle of 2007, the foundation awarded over $10,000 in grant funding. Over the past year the St. Croix Foundation has invested over $175,000 into the Community through its educational funds.
Donors interested in supporting enrichment programs such as these can call the St. Croix Foundation at 773-9898.
