May 17, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Grace Emedi of Tates Creek High School was honored with the 2010 Jamal Mashburn Scholarship award on Friday, May 14.
Seven finalists including Emedi, Alexis Hensley (Paul Dunbar), Adrien Nyembazi (Lafayette), Aaliyah Nzola (Bryan Station), Maria Ortiz (Paul Dunbar), Maria Quezada (Bryan Station) and Cameron Richard (Tates Creek) were recognized in a ceremony at the UK Student Center.
The students are the latest participants in a program started by the former Kentucky basketball All-American 18 years ago. After Emedi completes her high school requirements and meets UK standards for admission, she will receive full tuition to the University of Kentucky or Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington for each year she meets the outlined program requirements.
Since the program was established, more than two dozen students from Fayette County high schools have participated in this scholarship program. Applicants for scholarship had to meet a multitude of requirements including grade-point average, educational achievement and financial need.
Emedi is just completing her freshman year of high school. The university will provide a support system designed to help her meet her goals and objectives, providing mentors, establishing a summer enrichment program and having a continuous monitoring system to assess her academic and social needs.
Mashburn (1991-93) started the scholarship just days after declaring himself eligible for the 1993 NBA Draft and before signing his first professional basketball contract. The $500,000 endowment directly benefits young people in the Lexington community. With recent revisions to the program, students will now be awarded scholarships annually, instead of every two years.
For more information on the Jamal Mashburn Scholarship program, contact Dr. Steven Oliver at 859.257.9293 or by email at steven.oliver@uky.edu .
