(May 05, 2016 – New York, NY) – Fourteen NAF seniors have earned a coveted NAF scholarship. NAF’s scholarship opportunities inspire the next generation of future leaders to pursue their college aspirations. Scholarships were awarded to high school seniors and graduates of NAF academies who plan to enroll full-time in post-secondary education.
NAF’s scholarships are made possible through partnerships with Marriott International, American Express, and NAF Board Member and CEO of Promontory Financial Group, LLC, Eugene A. Ludwig.
As the college-going rate is declining, job forecasts indicate that upwards of 65% of all future employment opportunities will require some post-secondary education. “It’s no secret that higher education is a key to opportunity in this country, but due in part to the financial strain college can put on families, many students can’t afford to attend. Scholarships like the ones our partners enable us to provide to ambitious and deserving students help to alleviate this costly yet important next step after high school,” says JD Hoye, President of NAF.
NAF congratulates this year’s scholarship winners:
NAF Alumni Business Scholarship
Shane Figueroa, Vallejo High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Vallejo, CA
Samantha Von Gober, Sonoma Valley High School Academy of Engineering, Sonoma, CA
Noah Sinclair, Lake Brantley High School Academy of Finance, Altamonte Springs, FL
Brianne Lauria, Manasquan High School Academy of Finance, Manasquan, NJ
Catherine Mizzi, North Rockland Academy of Finance, Thiells, NY
American Express Jesse Blackman AOHT Scholarship
Brittney Yoshida, Kauai High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Kauai, HI
Marriott International Inc. AOHT Scholarship
Serena Beze, Miami Beach Senior High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Miami Beach, FL
Stephanie Del Rosario, Felix Varela Senior High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
Caitleen Leah Ballocanag, Waipahu High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Waipahu, HI
Jellyfer Tamayo, Maui High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Maui, HI
Precious Diana Valenzuela, Waipahu High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Waipahu, HI
Marriott International Inc. AOIT Scholarship [Montgomery County, MD Only]
Jacqueline Deprey, Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School Academy of Information Technology
Daniel Liscinsky, Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School Academy of Information Technology
Joseph Ogunbodede, Springbrook High School Academy of Information Technology
About NAF:
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF’s educational design ignites students’ passion for learning and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to include STEM infused industry-specific curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships. Since 1982, NAF has been partnering with existing high schools in high-need communities to enhance school systems at a low cost by implementing NAF academies – small learning communities within traditional high schools. NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2015-16 school year nearly 89,000 students attended 716 NAF academies across 36 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. In 2015, NAF academies reported 98% of seniors graduated with 92% of graduates planning to go to college.
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