To mark a decade of offering scholarships to local minority students, Hightower Scholars upped its ante.
At its 10th annual Clarence James Memorial Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, the nonprofit presented a new scholarship and increased the amounts given to top award winners.
Hightower Scholars awarded the first $500 Varner-Norman Broadcast Media Scholarship, designed to entice African-American students to pursue a career in broadcasting.
The nonprofit also increased by $500 the amounts given to the Clarence James Memorial Scholarship winner and runner-up.
"For us, this is a pretty big deal," Hightower Scholars Director Diane Hightower said.
Because of the economy's impact on families, Hightower said, "More than ever before, our money secures for students the opportunity to get books and supplies."
More than $10,000 was awarded during the event at Hill Crest Country Club, Lower Burrell.
Westmoreland County Judge Anthony Marsili and his wife, Christie, presented the Marsili Award, which goes to a high school senior who balances academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.
Valley High School senior Jaymes Brunson, who won the Marsili Award, said he hopes to return to the New Kensington-Arnold School District after graduating from college.
"I want to teach at Fort Crawford (Elementary School)," he said.
Keynote speaker Anji Corley, a TV and radio personality formerly with WAMO-AM, offered 10 keys to success -- among them, being flexible, staying positive, keeping the faith and dreaming big.
"Keep dreaming big. Nothing is impossible," she said.
2009 Clarence James Memorial Scholarship
• Taittiona Miles, Oakland Catholic High School, $2,500, first place.
• Raven Glover, West Mifflin High School. $2,000, runner-up.
• DeVynne Farquharson, Clairton Area High School, $500, academic achiever.
• Tasha Jordan, Pittsburgh High School for Creative and Performing Arts, $500, academic achiever.
• Erik Robinson, Central Catholic High School, $500, academic achiever.
Hightower Early Success Scholarship:
• Skye Clayton, Valley Middle School. $500 certificate of deposit with accrued interest upon graduation, first place.
• Brittany Daniels, Valley Middle School. $500 certificate of deposit with accrued interest upon graduation, runner-up.
• Tarashae Butler, Valley Middle School, to attend the Mary P. Graham Summer Academy.
• Julian Flenory, Highlands Middle School, to attend the Mary P. Graham Summer Academy.
Ross G. Walker Jr. Leadership Cup
• John Marshall, Valley High School. $500.
• Carmen Jones Jr., Valley High School. $500.
Marsili Award for balancing academics, athletics and extracurricular activities
. Jaymes Brunson, Valley High School, $500.
New Kensington Lions Club Award/Varner-Norman Broadcast Media Scholarship
. Eboni Thrower: Valley High School, $500.
James Hightower Jr. Steel Scholar Award
• Deddeh Ajavon, Penn State New Kensington, $750.
• Corey Smith, Penn State New Kensington, $750.
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