WASHINGTON — November is National Scholarship Month and two DMV students are truly celebrating all it brings as they have been announced as recipients of a nationwide scholarship program.
On Nov. 1, a total of 27 high school students across the country were awarded up to $10,000 each to access higher education through Sallie Mae's Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors. This is the third consecutive year that Sallie Mae and Thurgood Marshall College Fund has been able to provide this opportunity.
Of the 27 selected students, two are from the D.C. area -- Anna Kaplan and Andrew Pierre. Kaplan is from Centreville, Virginia and is currently a freshman studying musical theatre in Oakland University. Pierre is from Lanham, Maryland and is currently a freshman at Bowie State University studying computer science and engineering.
The duo were selected for the scholarship from over 1,100 applicants based on their academic performance and moral character.
The scholarship has made it so both of the students are able to focus on their academic goals and pursuing their passions, without as many monetary concerns. For example, Pierre can code and speak five languages. He is also excited about the chance to be a member of the cybersecurity club on his campus.
According to a social post from Sallie Mae, Pierre said, "Sallie Mae's Bridging the Dream Scholarship has helped me with the cost of college and provided me with a lot of support."
Kaplan spends her time participating in extracurricular theater and plans on joining a sorority on campus. "My dream of being on Broadway will take commitment and dedication, but I am ready to put in work," she said when it comes to her goals.