(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have announced the first winners of their new scholarship program, and six of the recipients are from Illinois.
The winners of the first Voyager Scholarship included these six Illinois natives:
Ella Quinn Dennis, Downers Grove, IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Majors: Global Studies and Psychology
Janice Kang, Glenview, IL
University of Michigan
Major: Political Science and Spanish
Ryan Manthy, Arlington Heights, IL
Illinois Institute of Technology
Major: Computer Science
Linh Nguyen, South Beloit, IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Political Science and Psychology; Minor: Criminology, Law, and Society
Irena Petryk, Morton Grove, IL
Northwestern University
Major: Economics and International Studies
Aun Raza, West Chicago, IL
Columbia University
Major: Biochemistry with Philosophy Concentration
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The Voyager Scholarship was established last May by the Obamas and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky.
“This scholarship gives college students financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them,” wrote the Obama Foundation.
Scholarship winners will receive up to $50,000 in financial aid- $25,000 per year-, a $10,000 summer work-travel stipend, a 10-year travel stipend- Airbnb will issue winners $2,000 of credit each year for 10 years-, an invitation to a fall summit in which they will meet with other winners and President Obama and Chesky, as well as and invitation to a ongoing lecture series by network leaders.
When the scholarship was created, the Obama Foundation said the ideal students would be ambitious, inquisitive, and selfless.
“We are looking for young people from every corner of this country who share a curiosity about the world and the conviction to want to make positive change within it—just like our founders. Students should have a passion for helping others, experience serving in or building community, and an expansive view of what’s possible through public service,” the Obama Foundation said.
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