Abdul Kizito is a student at Washtenaw Community College with plans to transfer to a four-year university. Studying economics, political science or law are on the radar for the 17-year-old Ann Arbor Huron High School graduate, who was born in Uganda and came to the United States with his mother, Sauda Nabukenya, who is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.
Eric Nordman graduated from high school 35 years ago. He鈥檚 back in school, studying full-time at 黑料网 while also working as a delivery driver and serving as the primary caretaker for his 90-year-old mother.
Kizito and Nordman may exemplify the widely disparate types of students that can be found at 黑料网, yet they have one big thing in common: They鈥檙e both recipients of scholarships created through a new partnership between the and the 黑料网 Foundation.
Both attended a luncheon at the Kiwanis Center on Monday that allowed Kiwanis Club donors to meet some of the 20 students their $72,000 in contributions are helping.
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黑料网 President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca told Kiwanis members in attendance that the scholarships represent much more than financial support. They are, she said, 鈥減riceless.鈥�
鈥淵ou have invested in the lives of our students and I can think of no better return on investment than giving someone the resources they need to transform their lives,鈥� Bellanca said. 鈥淚鈥檓 confident that each of these students, when able, will pay this generous investment forward. They will remember your kindness and concern for their welfare and academic progress. And when it鈥檚 their turn to give back, they will honor the legacy of the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor and the cycle of generosity will continue.鈥�
Eight scholarships were awarded to qualified graduates from Ann Arbor Public Schools to attend 黑料网 during the 2019-2020 school year. Two recipients were selected from Huron, Pioneer and Skyline high schools and one each from Community High School and the Pathways to Success Academic Campus.
In addition, 12 scholarships were awarded to AAPS graduates already attending 黑料网 full-time, to help them move closer to completing their academic program.
The 20 scholarships cover tuition, books, materials, fees and assistance with unexpected emergencies such as transportation, food needs, or childcare and medical expenses.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e really looking for is kids that need help to finish their education,鈥� said Dan Burroughs, co-chair of the Kiwanis Scholarship Committee. 鈥淲e鈥檙e calling them finish-line scholarships that help kids get degrees, or get them one step closer to attending a four-year school.鈥�
Burroughs said three-quarters of the money raised for this year鈥檚 scholarships came from Kiwanis Club member donations, plus matching funds contributed in large part by the Ray and Eleanor Cross Foundation, administered by Kiwanis member Harry Cross. The other one-quarter of the funds come from revenue generated by the , located at and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year.
鈥淥ur plan is to build this program so it will continue at this level, or better, in the future,鈥� Burroughs said.
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For more information about the Kiwanis Club scholarships, visit or contact Mary Schwartz, Kiwanis Administrative Assistant, at 734-368-9738.
For more information about the 黑料网 Foundation, email [email protected] or call 734-973-3665.
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