Students from Charleston, S.C.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Racine, Wis., awarded $1,000 college scholarship for outstanding artwork reflecting equity and educational opportunity
CINCINNATI, OH — StriveTogether, a national nonprofit working to improve education for every child, announced today five young artists have been awarded an Art Inspires scholarship. Students in nearly 70 communities across the country were asked to create pieces of art that reflect StriveTogether’s vision and core values, including educational equity. The artists chosen will each receive a $1,000 college scholarship and have their work displayed at StriveTogether’s Cincinnati headquarters. The awardees are:
- Denzel Chase of Memphis, Tenn., who plans to major in art illustration at Talladega College in Alabama. Chase graduated from Memphis Business Academy High School.
- Lauren DeMarco of Charleston, S.C., who is majoring in English and visual art at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. DeMarco graduated from Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston, S.C.
- Amaia Johnson of Memphis, Tenn., who is majoring in studio arts at the University of Memphis. Johnson graduated from Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Memphis.
- Camille Richmond of Charleston, S.C., who plans to major in international business and economics at the University of South Carolina. Richmond graduated from the Charleston County School of the Arts.
- Shani Salinas of Racine, Wis., who plans to attend Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wis. Salinas graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine.
“StriveTogether commends these young artists who were so keenly able to depict our realities and societal goals with their artistic vision and talent,” said StriveTogether President and CEO Jennifer Blatz. “With this scholarship, StriveTogether hopes to encourage these students as they pursue higher education to continue to be creative and express their own views, especially through their art.”
Only students in a community served by a partnership in the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network were eligible to apply. Higher Expectations for Racine County serves Racine County, Seeding Success serves Memphis and the Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative serves Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties.
StriveTogether helps communities to build stronger partnerships among organizations that impact every part of a child’s life. Communities in the StriveTogether network commit to improving results for major milestones in a child’s life. Progress is measured along a cradle-to-career continuum, from kindergarten readiness through postsecondary completion and employment.
View the selected student artwork at this link.
About StriveTogether
StriveTogether leads a national movement of nearly 70 communities to get better results in every child’s life. We coach and connect partners across the country to close gaps by using local data, especially for children of color and low-income children. Communities using our proven approach have seen measurable gains in kindergarten readiness, academic achievement and postsecondary success. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network reaches 10.4 million students, involves 10,800 organizations and has partners in 30 states and Washington, D.C.