METROPOLITAN KAPPA YOUTH FOUNDATION AWARDS THREE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS $1,500 SCHOLARSHIPS, RECEIVES RECORD NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS

Silver Spring, MD (June 8, 2018) – The Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation (MKYF) today announced that three Montgomery County students will receive the 2018 Lawrence Hamm Scholarship award. Students will receive a $1,500 scholarship to further their college studies.

The scholarship is named for the late Lawrence Hamm, Sr., a former President of the Silver Spring (MD) Alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Mr. Hamm was a strong proponent of encouraging young people to achieve academically, and was instrumental in securing the initial funding for the Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation (MKYF). To honor his memory and contributions, the Silver Spring (MD) Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and the Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation named their scholarship to youth in Lawrence Hamm’s honor.

The Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation 2018 Lawrence Hamm, Sr. awardees are:

Bryant Evans, a resident of Clarksburg and a senior at Clarksburg High School, has been involved in Montgomery County MD Teen Court, a diversion program for first-time juvenile offenders. In addition to his athletic involvement in varsity football and varsity lacrosse, Bryant was an honor roll student four years straight, and participated on the Truancy Task Force as a teen leader. His counselor recognized Bryant’s leadership and volunteerism, which positively impacts his community. Bryant plans to attend Frostburg State University, major in Political Science, and become an attorney.
Gideon Ndeh, a resident of Silver Spring and senior at Springbrook High School, is from Cameroon. Gideon participated in the Silver Spring chapter’s Kappa League and most recently served as the League’s President. Citing his father as the most inspirational person in his life, Gideon developed skills in video editing and created a documentary while in high school. Gideon will attend Morehouse College and is looking forward to a successful college experience which will enable him to assist his native country with the professional skills he develops.
Gideon Ndeh (Silver Spring Alumni Chapter Kappa League President 2018)
Yasmine Pierre, a resident of Gaithersburg and a senior at Wheaton High School, participates in varsity softball and varsity volleyball. She is a rehabilitation volunteer with Catholic Heart Work Camp and enjoyed preparing meals for homeless, disabled, and orphaned individuals. Yasmine has demonstrated leadership by establishing EmpowHER of Montgomery County, a group for young women, and by supporting minority engineering groups. She plans on attending the University of Maryland, majoring in biomedical engineering, and is interested in prosthetic research and design.

Deciding among the 20 applications this year, which represents a three-fold increase in submissions, was particularly challenging. Board members dedicated countless hours to decide among the talented high school students and to select awardees. “We are fortunate that the Metropolitan Kappa Youth Foundation is a strong community partner and sponsors a number of fundraising activities in Montgomery County which allows us to recognize the achievement of local high school students,” says MKYF Board Chair, Lorenza Cooper. “Support from donors – companies, friends and members – allows us to give back to the community. The future is bright for our young people, and we are excited to support their college experience.”

The year’s application included a required essay on the oppression of people of color, on a national or international scale. The question, inspired by the activism of Kappa Alpha Psi member, professional athlete, and activist Colin Kaepernick, demonstrated the social consciousness of all the applicants, and their ideas for addressing social injustice. The MKYF wishes all 2018 applicants and graduates the best in their endeavors.