CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – Eleven high school students from the Charlottesville area received a combined $250,000 in college scholarships from the Emily Couric Leadership Forum.
High school students Seenam Dumor and Olga Salama were the two top recipients this year. Both said they have big aspirations for their careers.
“I’ve seen a lot of the healthcare disparities between people across the globe so global healthcare is really important to me and I’d also like to go to medical school so I can become a doctor and use all the things that I’ve learned to help people across the world,” Seenam Dumor said.
Dumor, a senior at Monticello High School, received $35,000 as a part of the Joshua J. Scott Merit Scholarship.
Salama, a senior at Charlottesville High School, received $50,000, the biggest scholarship given by the forum.
“Oh my goddess I just screamed a lot I was too excited I couldn’t hide it,” Salama said.
The other nine recipients received $9,000.
For 25 years now, these scholarships have served as a way to honor the late Virginia State Senator Emily Couric.
“She really believes in young women and their leadership potential, so it recognizes and continues her example and her vision,” said Beth Kennan, Chair of the Emily Couric Leadership Forum Board.
Documentary filmmaker Dawn Porter delivered the keynote address.
“Everyone’s path is going to be different, and that’s great, we all shouldn’t follow the same path,” Porter said. “What’s the path that is right for you?”
While all the recipients had unique paths moving forward, they all shared the common strength of leadership.
“I think the best leaders are able to put themselves in other people’s shoes and advocate for them,” Dumor said.
Since 2001, the leadership forum reports to have given out more than $2 million in scholarships.
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