
UCM launched the Valencourt Scholarship program in FY 2014 in honor of Lois Valencourt, thanks to her generous bequest after her death. Ms. Valencourt was interested in increasing access to post-graduate education for low- and moderage-income students in the Mount Vernon area. The Lois Valencourt Scholarship Fun program is for low-income, first generation college students who are recent graduates of local public high schools: Bryant Alternative High, Mount Vernon High, and West Potomac High -- and who plan to attend DC metro area schools for post-graduate education.
On June 6, 2016, we announced our 2016 Lois Valencourt Scholars. Each recipient is the first in their families to attend college. They have received $1,500 scholarships that are renewable next year. Three of the four recipients are current participants in UCM programs:
Fernando Acosta - West Potomac High School
Fernando has been accepted to George Mason University. He will pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. Fernando's family came to UCM a few years ago as a client. They have since become UCM volunteers who give back to their community. Fernando has also been a UCM volunteer throughout his years in high school. He is captain of the boy's soccer team as well as mentors students at Belle View Elementary School and is graduating with a 3.8 GPA.
Angela Gallegos - Bryant Alternative High School
Angela is dual-enrolled at Bryant Alternative High School and Northern Virginia Community College, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Development. She is a student in the Project Opportunity program for teen mothers. Angela is a single parent and full-time student. She serves as the head of the Student Leadership Program at her high school.
Tenesha Green - West Potomac High School
Tenesha has been accepted at Marymount University and will pursue a degree in Mass Communications. She is captain of the girl's varsity basketball team and graduates with a 3.8 GPA. Tenesha has received a partial basketball scholarship from Marymount. Tenesha makes her community a better place by making sandwiches at her church for the homeless every month.
Shanae Witherspoon - Bryant Alternative High School
Shanae has been accepted at Northern Virginia Community College and graduates with a 3.3 GPA. She will pursue a degree in Nursing. Shanae is a single-parent, full-time student and has volunteered in the community by talking to youth about the harmful effects of drugs.
On June 6, 2016, we announced our 2016 Lois Valencourt Scholars. Each recipient is the first in their families to attend college. They have received $1,500 scholarships that are renewable next year. Three of the four recipients are current participants in UCM programs:
Fernando Acosta - West Potomac High School
Fernando has been accepted to George Mason University. He will pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. Fernando's family came to UCM a few years ago as a client. They have since become UCM volunteers who give back to their community. Fernando has also been a UCM volunteer throughout his years in high school. He is captain of the boy's soccer team as well as mentors students at Belle View Elementary School and is graduating with a 3.8 GPA.
Angela Gallegos - Bryant Alternative High School
Angela is dual-enrolled at Bryant Alternative High School and Northern Virginia Community College, pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Development. She is a student in the Project Opportunity program for teen mothers. Angela is a single parent and full-time student. She serves as the head of the Student Leadership Program at her high school.
Tenesha Green - West Potomac High School
Tenesha has been accepted at Marymount University and will pursue a degree in Mass Communications. She is captain of the girl's varsity basketball team and graduates with a 3.8 GPA. Tenesha has received a partial basketball scholarship from Marymount. Tenesha makes her community a better place by making sandwiches at her church for the homeless every month.
Shanae Witherspoon - Bryant Alternative High School
Shanae has been accepted at Northern Virginia Community College and graduates with a 3.3 GPA. She will pursue a degree in Nursing. Shanae is a single-parent, full-time student and has volunteered in the community by talking to youth about the harmful effects of drugs.