Ohio State selects 7 for Young Scholars Program

Seven Bond Hill Academy, Evanston Academy and Hays-Porter School students have been accepted into the Ohio State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion Young Scholars Program.

The comprehensive pre-collegiate and collegiate program is designed to enhance the academic, personal and career development of students. The program provides paid four-year tuition and books at Ohio State; paid room and board with a meal plan for all four years; and paid ACT/SAT registration, OSU application, enrollment and housing fees.

To qualify, students must attend a Cincinnati Public school; have at least a 3.3 unweighted grade-point average; have the potential to be a first-generation college graduate; and be from an economically disadvantaged household.

After acceptance, students then must maintain at least a 3.3 GPA; maintain at least 80% attendance in the program; complete a community service project; and receive academic enrichment as well as personal development and field-trip opportunities.

Students selected:

Keyvon Amison, 12, son of Terrell Amison and Roseshawona Williams-Amison, recently completed seventh grade at Hays-Porter. He has a 3.4 GPA and will attend Taft High School in the fall. Keyvon is an intelligent and athletic student. He participated on the Hays-Porter basketball team. Keyvon loves to sing in the community and church choir. His favorite hobbies include playing video games and spending time with his dog. Keyvon is a hard worker and a leader in the classroom, and he is excited about attending college in the future.

Kemya Bowie, 14, daughter of Robin Robinson, recently completed eighth grade at Bond Hill. She has a 3.31 GPA and will attend Walnut Hills High School in the fall. Kemya attended Bond Hill Academy for five years. During four of those years, she participated in the FamiliesFORWARD After-School Program. She learned how to volunteer as a part of FamiliesFORWARD’s The Gifts We Share program. For several years, she diligently wrote letters to senior citizens and participated in community cleanups, and attended socials with her senior pen pals. Kemya worked hard to gain entrance into the Young Scholars Program by getting Straight As during the fourth quarter. She says she wants to be math professor when she grows up.

Joysoline Ivory-Smith, 14, daughter of Meshella Ivory, recently completed eighth grade at Hays-Porter. She has a 3.5 GPA and will attend the School for the Creative & Performing Arts in the fall. Joysoline is an intelligent, vibrant and talented student. She loves to draw, read, write, sing and act. She participated on the track and field team at Hays-Porter. She is also a member of the Graphic Novel Club, and she enters her artworks into many drawing contests. She has sung at several school events, and she recently sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the 2013 FamiliesFORWARD Volunteer Luncheon. Because of her mother’s illness, she is a positive role model for her two younger siblings, and she is a big help to her family. She plans to become a writer and an entertainer.

Cordanyen Mitchell, 12, son of Brandy Green, recently completed sixth grade at Evanston. He has a 3.3 GPA and will attend Withrow University High School in the fall. Cordanyen is a member of the boyz II MEN Youth Leadership Program at Evanston. Boyz II MEN helps teenage boys become men by laying a foundation for the boys to become leaders of their community and generation. Cordanyen joined boyz II MEN in the fall of 2012 and has become an outstanding leader, advocate and mentor among his peers. Cordanyen also participated in FamiliesFORWARD After-School Program for the past three years. He joined the six-week Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board Construction Club, as well as other programs that were offered through the after-school program.

Jerica Nicholson, 12, daughter of Erica Midell, recently completed sixth grade at Evanston. She has a 3.71 GPA and will attend Withrow University High School in the fall. Jerica is a member of the Young Ladies at the Top Youth Leadership Program at Evanston—which teaches, reinforces and challenges the idea that being a lady in every sense of the word is still a desirable demeanor. The girls are taught proper etiquette and social skills through workshops, guest speakers and other interactive sessions. Additionally, she has participated in the FamiliesFORWARD After-School Program for the past two years. She also participated in the six-week Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board Construction Club and hip-hop dance class offered through the after-school program.

Lovelle Surrell, 11, daughter of Vickie Surrell, recently completed sixth grade at Bond Hill. She has a 3.6 GPA and will attend Walnut Hills High School in the fall. During her time at Bond Hill, she maintained a strong academic performance. She often scores at or near the top of her on class on school assignments. Lovelle is also well-rounded, participating in several extracurricular activities while at Bond Hill, including the FamiliesFORWARD After-School Program. She learned to play the violin during the several years she attended the program. Additionally, she was also a volunteer for the school’s recycling program. Because of her hard work, she also achieved first place in Bond Hill Academy’s Spelling Bee for two years in a row. She plans to go to college and study to be doctor.

Majesty Tidwell, 12, daughter of Brandy Tidwell, recently completed sixth grade at Evanston. She has a 3.33 GPA and will attend Shroder High School in the fall. Majesty is a member of the Young Ladies at the Top Youth Leadership Program at Evanston. The purpose of Young Ladies at the Top is to teach, reinforce and challenge the idea that being a lady in every sense of the word is still a desirable demeanor. Through workshops, guest speakers and other interactive sessions, each young lady is given the opportunity to explore her own identity, assess what skills she needs to learn, what will enhance her character and use these skills in social settings.