Ahlam Issa, a senior at Hazelwood East High School, is a recipient of a KFC Colonel’s Scholars Scholarship, valued at up to $20,000. Awards are up to $5,000 per year.
Issa was presented a ceremonial check by Dr. Mark Martin, principal of Hazelwood East High School. She also received a messenger bag of gifts from KFC that included study aids and supplies.
Issa has a 4.3 grade point average. She will attend Missouri University of Science and Technology to study chemical engineering.
She is humbled by the award. “It’s an honor.”
To be eligible to compete, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public, in-state college or university, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and demonstrate financial need.
The process began in December with an online application; application submissions closed in February; semifinalists were identified and asked to provide additional documents in March; and selected scholars are notified in May.
SLPS Young Scientists
Ten students from St. Louis Public Schools high schools have been selected to participate in Washington University’s Young Scientists Summer Focus program.
SLPS students selected for the Summer Focus program are:
• Adam Mann-Ali – Cleveland NJROTC @ Pruitt
• Quintessa Gibbs – Cleveland NJROTC @ Pruitt
• Renetra Osun – Soldan International Studies High School
• LaSheka Nicholson – Soldan International Studies High School
• Mai Nguyen – Gateway Institute of Technology High School
• Morgan Spears – Metro Academic and Classical High School
• Xavier duMaine – Metro Academic and Classical High School
• Lorri Leong – Central Visual and Performing Arts High School
• Abigail Keel – Metro Academic and Classical High School
• Christopher Jones – McKinley Classical Leadership Academy.
According to Jennifer Mosher, Coordinator for Washington University’s Young Scientists program, the Summer Focus program provides 16 outstanding high school students with funded research internships at Washington University Medical Center. For eight weeks, each student will work on an individual research project with the support of a mentor and tutor.
In addition to conducting research, students participate in a journal club and biweekly faculty-led seminars that examine topics in biomedical and clinical science. At the end of the summer, students present their research findings at the Summer Focus Symposium. Because the application and interview process is highly competitive, not to mention the limited number of spaces available, students are awarded a $2,500 stipend for their participation.
