Minor Preston Educational Fund

Scholars Recognition Night 2018
Congratulations to Our New Minor Preston Scholars!

On Thursday, May 17, the Minor Preston Educational Fund held its annual Recognition Night to honor new recipients of Scholars Program awards and to acknowledge all Scholars and Advisors. Joining our thirteen current Scholars are these inspiring and accomplished 2018 graduates of Charlottesville and Albemarle County public high schools: Makayla Austin [Monticello], Deija Brooks [Western Albemarle], Dyshe Smith [Charlottesville], and Jahmani Young [Albemarle].

Each of these four was presented to those assembled and honored for their efforts and ambitions. Current Scholars then addressed them about what to expect in the transition to college and offered practical advice.

This year’s event also marked the 35th anniversary of the Minor Preston Educational Fund. Joining in celebrating this milestone and our Scholars and Advisors were alumni of the Fund’s programs throughout the decades. Alumni offered testimonials about the importance of the Minor Preston Fund’s academic and financial support and encouraged all alumni to give back in some meaningful way to support the Scholars Program and sustain the Minor Preston Fund.

Follow us here and at our website https://www.minorpreston.org/ throughout this 35th anniversary year for in-depth profiles of all of our Minor Preston Scholars and Advisors and for more news about the Minor Preston Educational Fund.

Congratulations to Jamar Pierre-Louis!
Minor Preston Scholars Class of 2017

Jamar Pierre-Louis, a 2013 Charlottesville High School graduate, received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Old Dominion University on May 6, 2017. While enrolled at ODU, he majored in Physical Education with a concentration in Sport Management and a minor in Marketing. A Dean's List student, Jamar was inducted into the Blue Key Honor Society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Not one to sit "idly by," Jamar continued being as active in college extracurricular activities as he had been in high school, where he played varsity basketball (leading his team to a coveted district championship), gave motivational speeches through the Charlottesville Speaker Series, co-founded the school spirit organization Black Knight Nation, and participated in 100 Black Men of Central Virginia.

Subsequently, at Old Dominion University, Jamar took part in intramural sports, community service, and even fashion design (launching a clothing line featured in ODU fashion shows).

Jamar excelled not only in academics and in co-curricular activities, but in many other ways as well. In his sophomore year and continuing through the fall semester of his senior year, he was an intern at the Old Dominion University Athletic Foundation. He developed marketing plans, coordinated donor related events, and even helped with fundraising $4.1 million dollars. Quite an achievement!!!

However, his internship experience did not end there. Beginning in the spring semester of his senior year, Jamar received a competitive internship with the Charlotte Hornets Sports and Entertainment LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina. There he aided with the development of a variety of proposals (including his own for the creation of a Charlotte Hornets Kids Club), helped to coordinate and execute community outreach events and hospitality programs, as well as managed business matters pertaining to accounts and ticket sales.

Needless to say, Jamar has embraced every moment and every opportunity his college experiences provided. In fact, in reflecting upon his four years at Old Dominion University, he offers the following advice to students attending college:

"Be willing to work so hard that you exceed what is expected of you. Always plan ahead and manage your time wisely. Distinguish yourself from those around you and develop a sense of gratitude. Lastly, build relationships with those who motivate and inspire you. Make sure you always foster these relationships, as they may be helpful in the future and open doors you didn't know existed"

And finally, when it comes to the Minor Preston Scholars Program, Jamar expresses heartfelt appreciation.

"The Minor Preston Scholars Program not only made attending college possible through its four-year scholarship, but it also provided me with emotional support. Constant advising and kind-spirited words from my Minor Preston Advisor, Mrs. Terry, inspired me to never give up and pursue my aspirations wholeheartedly. This program is simply amazing. I'm honored to have been a part of it!"

2017 Scholars Program Recognition Night
Congratulations to Our Newest Scholars!

Scholarship honoring longtime Albemarle educators names newest recipients ⋅ Charlottesville Tomorrow Four local high school students have been named as recipients of a scholarship honoring the legacy of two longtime Albemarle County educators.

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http://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/first-preston-coiner-scholarship-winner-named/article_856b1634-551e-11e6-bb03-e701bb2cc253.html

Sending a special congratulations to Janaya Mott. We are so proud to see this young lady striving to achieve her dreams.

First Preston Coiner Scholarship winner named AHS graduate Janaya Mott will attend Lynchburg College in the fall.

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"I can is more important than IQ" - Robin S. Sharma