Five college students from the Washington, DC area who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and leadership skills have been recognized by the Washington DC Police Fund with scholarship awards named in honor of Metropolitan Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey, for his dedication to youth crime prevention, opportunity and development.

The students and their families were honored at MPD Headquarters Friday during a ceremony attended by Chief Ramsey, representatives of the Police Fund, and other supporters. Each of the students is receiving a $1,000 scholarship award for the upcoming academic year.

“I am honored and, quite frankly, humbled that these scholarships have been named in my honor,” said Chief Ramsey.  “I am particularly honored because of the quality of these first five recipients.  They reflect the very best of our young people, and they remind all of us that the vast majority of youth in our city are dedicated to leading productive and crime-free lives,” he said.

Added Eric Holder, co-chair of the Police Fund, “Presenting these scholarships in honor of Chief Ramsey was really a no-brainer.  Over the past eight years, the Chief has worked tirelessly to make our city safer for young people and to expand opportunities for our youth.  The Washington DC Police Fund is proud to be a partner in these efforts.” Margret Kellems, the Police Fund’s other co-chair added. “Any time the Police Fund can honor this Chief and his service to this City, and such deserving students at the same time is a good day!”

The Washington DC Police Fund is an innovative 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization dedicated to improving public safety and enhancing youth opportunity throughout the District of Columbia. Supported by DC-area business and civic leaders, the Police Fund provides financial resources and other support to enhance the MPD’s crime solving ability and to promote community policing. Much of the grant funding has been directed to a host of youth violence prevention projects across the District.

The college scholarship program was announced at the Police Fund’s Awards Ceremony in June. The five recipients were all recommended by MPD officials for their academic achievement and leadership. Three of the students were counselors this summer at the Police Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington’s Camp Brown and were recommended by Lieutenant Daniel Ewell, who co-directs the Camp. The other two students were recommended by School Resource Officer Neva Taylor, who knew the students through her work with youth at Spingarn Senior High School.

Following are brief profiles of the five scholarship recipients:

• DaRon Seigler is a senior at Morgan State University, where he is an elementary education major.  A product of the DC Public Schools, DaRon wants to be a teacher himself. He credits a former sixth-grade teacher, Valdez Mumford, for helping give him positive direction and support at a critical time in his life. This summer DaRon was a counselor at Camp Brown.
• Sherry M. White is a senior at East Tennessee State University, also majoring in elementary education.  She credits her mother’s support and love for much of her success.  Sherry plans on teaching after graduation.  She, too, was a Camp Brown counselor this summer.
• Ashley Cook is a junior at Morgan State University, majoring in physical education.  She has worked at Camp Brown for the past five summers, either as a counselor or in other support roles.
• Amber Johnson is a freshman entering Shaw University in Durham, NC.  She graduated from Spingarn High in June 2006 and plans to major in psychology.
• Robert Reeder also is an entering freshman at Shaw University. One of eight children, Robert credits the support of his grandmother, Louise Reeder, for his drive and success. He graduated from Spingarn High in June 2006.

Established in 2000 under the Federal City Council, the Washington DC Police Fund operates as an advised fund under the auspices of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. 

For further information on this event or the Washington DC Police Fund, please contact Samuel F. Harahan, staff director, at cell (703) 850-8724, or via email at Harahan@Washingtondcpolicefund.org.