SCHOLARS

What our scholars say about the METCO College Scholarship Fund of Lexington:

Thank you for your compliments and for this scholarship. It will provide tremendous support towards relieving the financial difficulties that accompany going to college. I hope to work just as hard this semester and I do plan on staying in touch.

The METCO scholarship has been so much help over these years. I would just like to say how grateful I am for having the opportunity to be a part of the METCO program and for the generous scholarships I’ve been given.

I would love to be considered for the “College Completion Scholarship.” It would be very helpful towards completing my educational goals. I just completed my Sophomore year this past spring semester with straight As and will be starting my Junior year in the fall at UMass Amherst.

Congratulations to our 2024 scholarship recipients!

Freshman Year Scholarship Recipients

Kai’Lah Boston | Rochester Institute of Technology

 Destini Crawford | Louisiana State University

 Sonja Gordon | University of Massachusetts - Boston

 Sariah Hodge | University of Massachusetts - Boston

Briana Ortiz | Wheaton College

Isatu Savage | Framingham State University

Jada Solomon | University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Ameera Pearl Suttles | Curry College

Nya-Simone Thomas | North Shore Community College

Tahtiana Thompson-Morales | Clark Atlanta University

College Completion Scholarships

Each year, upperclass students who have received first-year scholarship support from the Fund are invited to apply for continued scholarship support. Congratulations to these students who are continuing their studies with support from MCSFL!

SOPHOMORES

Ailani Stephen | Franklin Pierce University

Layla Dossantos | Suffolk University

Alex Exposito | Franklin Pierce University

JUNIORS

Merkeb Amanuel | Boston University

Kianna Bernabel | University of Massachusetts - Boston

Jamahl Cruickshank | University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Sayid Davis | University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Selena Davis | University of Rochester

Troi Dixon | Curry College

Raphael Torres | St. Thomas University

SENIORS

Daniel Naod | University of Massachusetts - Boston

Kyra Cooper | Suffolk University

Leila Exume | University of Massachusetts - Boston

Cynthia Fu | Boston University

Kaisha Glass | Salem State University

Justin Siri | Georgia State University

Alea Turner | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy

Gianna Watson | Salem State University

Joshua Wisdom | University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Throughout my four years at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), I majored in Entrepreneurship while double-minoring in Fashion Merchandising and Graphic Design. These interests kept me involved outside of the classroom as well. 

At the end of my freshman year, I was named president of Style Club.  I was able to transform a small group into a wide network for creatives to collaborate by my senior year. I was also given the opportunity through the Multicultural Student Union to run Men’s Group, which provided a space for conversation and growth. 

Despite having a rich undergrad experience, my path to graduation didn’t go as smoothly as planned due to a miscommunication between the academic department and my advisor, which resulted in the necessity to take one additional course to satisfy a requirement.   Although it was a frustrating experience, I passed the most difficult undergraduate test;  I transitioned into my current job – which wasn’t easy – while I negotiated with SNHU management to complete the requirement through an inexpensive online option.  Having solved this distraction, with diploma in hand, I am fully focused on my new role as a Headwear & Apparel Coordinator for the International Team at 47 Brand, where I can continue learning and exploring my passion for creativity and fashion.

My overall journey has been the result of dedication to my education, passion, and the everlasting support from my METCO family, and I am beyond grateful to be in the position to continue growing and learning from these experiences.  Thank you to my METCO family and the people of the METCO College Scholarship Fund of Lexington. My time in METCO is something I carry with me and I will always remember the people who have helped me along the way.

The METCO College Scholarship Fund of Lexington provided some relief from the financial pressure college puts on students.  After receiving each award, I was motivated to work part-time, and I was able to graduate debt-free from Framingham State University.  It was a goal I did not think I could accomplish at first, but with the help of the award, my family, and my hard work, I completed my college degree in three and a half years debt-free, while also studying abroad for a semester.

With the boost provided by the scholarship awards, I felt the liberty to take the courses I believed best fit my routine and my career interests.  I majored in Business Management, with a minor in Criminology.

In the spring semester of my sophomore year, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and met great people of diverse cultures.  My experiences with the METCO program, and the years in the Lexington public school system, made it easier to communicate and make great connections during my semester in Florence.

Throughout my time at Framingham State University, and after the completion of my degree, a member of the METCO College Scholarship Fund of Lexington would always reach out to mentor me and provide help or advice if needed.  I am now working at an investment group in the Boston area and plan to further my education in the near future.  I am considering certificates and possibly a masters in business administration (MBA).

Since middle school, I have always been outspoken, and have unappologetically worked against injustices against me or my peers.  With the initial idea of being a lawyer, I learned more about cosmopolitan history.  My dream shifted into being a public figure or someone that could aid my community, which led to my undergraduate major at Suffolk University.  I studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics as I thought that this was the perfect mix of disciplines in order to eventually go into law school or even public policy, and I do not regret this decision at all.

I worked most of my time whilst at Suffolk, so I did not have time to join E-boards for many clubs.  I did partake in many of the Black Student Union and Caribbean Student Network events.  I also started up a small business in February 2021 creating small batch and organic wellness products called Ara Collections.  I spent a lot of my time doing schoolwork, starting up my business, and actually working, which kept me extremely busy.

I made many great connections in and outside of school, including Charles Yancey, former city councilor for Boston.  He aided my spark to create unity amongst the Boston community, and overall sparked my drive again.  Since graduating, I have taken a gap year to have some breathing room and apply to graduate programs.  I have organized community networking events in the city, and am currently working towards more.  I have also taken the time to refine and truly organize my small business, which I am extremely happy with.  I plan to begin pursuing my masters in the fall of 2024, diving further into public policy or international affairs.