The Annual Scholarship Awards Program

CAYF RECOGNIZED EXCELLENCE

The Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF) hosted its 27th Annual Scholarship Dinner at the Historic Gem Theatre and Century Grille on May 18, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.  At the Awards Program, CAYF honored scholars who have received CAYF scholarships and are now college graduates.  CAYF also introduced new scholars who graduated from high school this year and received college scholarships beginning with the 2009-10 school year.  This year's educator of the year awards were given to two Detroit Public School Teachers: Theresa Annita Sawyer-Love, English Arts Teacher at Northwestern High School and Sivena L. Taylor, Mathematics Teacher at Sampson-Webber Academy of Technology

"We pride ourselves on helping cultivate Detroit's next leaders," said Dr. Claudette Y. Smith, Executive Director of CAYF.  "We are confident that our graduates will continue the legacy of Coleman A. Young."

Six college graduates were recognized:

· Thameka Hall, graduated from Spelman College in Political Science;

· Shieen Jackson, graduated from Oakland University in Finance;

· Willie Luckett, graduated from University of Michigan in Aerospace Engineering;

· Michael Phillips, graduated from Marygrove College in Forensic Science;

· Avis Randle, graduated from University of Michigan in Psychology;

· China Threatt, graduated from Wayne State University in Mechanical Engineering.

CAYF announced four 2009 scholarships recipients:

· Raqibah Ansari, graduated from Mumford High School and will attend Ferris State

     University;

· Kati Ellis, graduated fromCass Tech High School and will attend University of

     Michigan;

· DeSean Grice, graduated from Frederick Douglas Preparatory and will attend

     Xavier University and

· D'Juana Jackson, graduated from W.E. B. Dubois Preparatory and will attend

     University of Michigan.

The Foundation also recognized its alumni and current scholars including participants of its Named Scholars Program and its after-school program, REAL SKILLS, formally known as the Post-Secondary Readiness Planning Program (PSRP).

REAL SKILLS is an after-school life skills program for city of Detroit 8th and 9th graders along with their parents. The program's purpose is to prepare youth for academic success and social well being.

The CAYF Named Scholars Program is supported by individual and corporate sponsors.  Each sponsor provides a four-year college scholarship at $5,000 per annum, plus $500 per year towards the administrative cost of the program for mentoring the student to adapt to college life and for monitoring the student's academic performance.

As a part of the Named Scholars Program, some sponsors provide their student with summer internship opportunities and the prospect of becoming a full-time employee of the sponsor's organization upon graduating from college. 

Contact CAYF for information on Named Scholar sponsorships.

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