Walter N. Ridley Scholarship
First Years

Carlos Disla

Although I was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, I have lived most of my life in Newport News, Virginia, so I consider Virginia my home state. I graduated Salutatorian from Denbigh High School in 2008. In addition to pursuing a double major in Biology and Environmental Science and obtaining a minor in Anthropology, I plan to take several intriguing classes from various departments in the College of Arts and Sciences. Admission to U.Va. as an Echols Scholar will allow me to have an interdisciplinary approach to my undergraduate studies.
Activities: I am currently a member of the Chess club where people can simply play chess and hone their skills. In Key Club, I have the opportunity to interact with members of the community as a volunteer in different activities. As Vice-President of my school’s National Honor Society chapter, I also help organize and participate in volunteer activities including raising money for Relay for Life. As a member of the Mayor’s Youth Commission, I work with other teens in my city and city officials to develop solutions to issues facing young people, including a lack of recreation facilities and activities and the increase in youth violence. I take fencing lessons outside of school; I am learning how to fence with the foil.
Goals: I hope to one day become the head of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or the United Nations Environment Programme. In either position, I intend to integrate the knowledge I gain about people and the environment to further the cause of environmental stewardship.

Jennifer Douglas

I am a first-year Echols, Holland and Ridley Scholar from Lexington, Kentucky, the "horse capital of the world."
Activities: In high school, I was heavily involved in athletics, both playing soccer and running track. I was also active in community service through the group "Teen Knitting for Charity." Last summer, I worked at a therapeutic recreation camp through the local Parks and Recreation system for children with disabilities.
Goals: While at Virginia, I will be pursuing a major in neuroscience or biology with a possible minor in French. Upon graduation, I plan on attending medical school to become a surgeon or anesthesiologist.

Wintre Foxworth

I am from Chesapeake, Virginia, attended Indian River High School. There, I served as Student Council President and was an active member of National Honor Society, Class Council, Key Club, and the Chesapeake Youth Advisory Board, along with other groups. I graduated with a 4.67 G.P.A. as Salutatorian of my class.
Activities:I am currently involved in the Madison House Boosters Program, Sustained Diaolgue, and is a member of Black Voices.
Goals:I plan to pursue a double major in American Politics and African-American Studies as an Echols Scholar. I am currently undecided about her career goals but she is passionate about politics and racial activism.

Second Years

Blair Burnett

I was born and raised in Columbia, Maryland.
Activities: My current activities include reading, relaxing, exercising and following politics. While at Virginia I will be pursuing a major in Government and Foreign Affairs. I look forward to meeting a lot of driven young people and working with the UVA faculty.
Goals: Upon graduation I hope to have a career in politics.

Ishraga Eltahir

Being born in Sudan, moving to New York, relocating yet again to Saudi Arabia, and finally settling in Virginia, are some of the highlights of my life. I am concentrating on Foreign Affairs and African/African-American Studies.
Activities: In high school, I was editor of my school newspaper, and I was involved in many clubs and societies. After graduation, I decided that I would take on the challenge of working at a summer camp for children with disabilities.
Goals: After graduation I plan to attend law school, or join the Peace Corps.

Stephanie Lodie

I am a first-year from Portsmouth, Virginia.
Activities: In high school, I was on the Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team, where I held the title of Captain. I also was Co- Captain of the Scholastic Bowl Team, a Eureka Debutante, and a member of the Interact Club, my school’s service organization sponsored by Rotary International.
Goals: At the University of Virginia, I plan to major in electrical engineering. My goal is to become an electrical engineer.

Third Years

Jahmeilia Paul

I’m a second-year from Brooklyn, New York. I attended Miss Porter’s School, an all-girls college preparatory boarding school in Farmington, Connecticut. I am pursuing a major in Spanish, with the intention of studying medicine in the future.
Activities: I am a member of Step It Up, the step team on grounds, the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA), and I am looking forward to joining a pre-medical society/organization on grounds.
Goals: I plan to study abroad in the near future. Currently, I am also interested in learning more about U.Va’s public health program.

Desiree Smith

I am an Echols, Holland and Ridley Scholar, from Northern Virginia, double majoring in African & African-American Studies, as well as an interdisciplinary major called Political & Social Thought.
Activities: Currently, I am in my second year on Residence Staff (First Year Dorms), a Program Director (PD) for the "I Have a Dream" Mentoring Program and a exec member of the University Guide Service (Historian). I also serve on the Carter G. Woodson Institute's Student Advisory Board and volunteer with Abundant Life's Ladies of Quality Jr. Program.
Goals: Although I'm set on "saving the world", I'm not exactly sure in what capacity (i.e. long-term, institutional change through law/policy or more immediate, non-profit work). Thus, I'm currently playing with a variety of options: the 5-year M.P.P Program (Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy), the 1-year M.S. in Commerce Program (McIntire), various fellowships (Teach for America, AmeriCorps) and law school.

Fourth Years

Brittany Foster

I am a fourth year English and African-American Studies double major from Hampton, VA.
Activities: I am currently the president of United Sisters, a community service based organization that focuses on uplifting African American females in the Charlottesville and University communities. I am a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, and I also work for Teach for America as a Campus Campaign Coordinator.
Goals: After graduation, I hope to become involved in the field of education while furthering my own education through a Masters program. One day, I would love to teach at the University level and I hope to find time in the future to travel around the world.

Cameron Brickhouse

I am a third-year student from Richmond, Virginia double majoring in Anthropology and African and African-American Studies. I enjoy reading, independent films, visiting museums, and socializing with friends.
Activities: I am a member of United Sisters which seeks to uplift African-American women on grounds as well as in the community. I am also the head of an adjunct program of United Sisters called Sisterly Love which is a mentoring program for 9th-11th grade African American young women in the Charlottesville Community.
Goals: I look forward to pursuing a Master’s in African Diasporic Studies and possibly a PH.D. in a related field.

Meikel Andrade Memorial Scholarship
First Years

Angelina Blackmon

I am a first year and I am from a little town in Virginia called Brookneal. The major I would like to pursue is Chemical Engineering and Pre Law.
Activities: In high school I was involved in student government and at U.Va. I hope to be involved in the First Year Committee.
Goals: My goal is to be a chemical engineer or go into law.

Second Years

Jennifer Bristol

I am a Second Year student from Stony Brook, New York.
Activities:During my First Year at UVa, I was elected to be on the First Year Council, where I became an active member and participant in the Activities Committee. I found that I enjoyed planning social events for my class, taking pride in informing and uniting the Class of 2011. Now, a member of the Second Year Council, I was interviewed and chosen to be the Committee Chair for a unique program called Dinner Series. Dinner Series is held five times throughout the year and is designed to give Second Years the opportunity to dine with professors and listen to esteemed speakers in a personal setting. In addition to participating in Class Councils, I am also a member of Chi Omega - a sorority dedicated to upholding high standards of personnel, friendship, career development, community service, and sincere learning and creditable scholarship. I was recently selected to be the treasurer of the sorority for the 2009 calendar year.
Goals:In January, I will be applying to the McIntire School of Commerce, where I hope to eventually pursue a career in Marketing or Event Planning.

Amanda Oaks

I was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. Throughout my childhood, I lived in both Massachusetts and Vermont. When I was four years old, I spent a year living in Grenada, the country my father is from. For high school, I attended Friends School of Baltimore on a full scholarship. I currently reside in Baltimore, Maryland and my intended major is Anthropology.
Activities: I have always been an active member of the Black Student Union at my previous institutions, and I have attended many conferences promoting diversity and leadership. I have applied the knowledge I attained through these functions by starting clubs, speaking out about issues of diversity, and mentoring. Last January, I was a chosen representative to attend the Carol F.S. Hardy National Black Student Leadership conference in Washington, D.C.
Goals: After graduation, I plan to further my education and attend law school.

Gregory Raven Batipps Memorial Scholarship
Third Years

Franklin Tennyson

SEE RICHMOND/RIDLEY SCHOLARSHIP

Fourth Year

Brian Poulson

Ernst & Young Scholarships
First Year

Oluwasegun Ajayi

I am a Canadian citizen currently residing in Chadds Ford, a suburb of Philadelphia. Living here for only my senior year though, I used to live in Dubai for six years. My intended area of study is business with a concentration in finance.
Activities: I was on the football, basketball, and track team during the past year and hope to get involved such activities in U.Va.. One of the courses that fascinates me is psychology, which I hope to pursue and obtain a minor in while in college. From the degree I obtain from the University of Virginia, I will aim for a graduate degree before plunging into the business world.
Goals: My ultimate goal is to successfully run my own company that will benefit the greater good somehow.

Second Year

Tai Ford

I have lived in Belize, the US, Bangladesh, Thailand, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and most recently South Africa and Swaziland. I plan study Business and African and African-American Affairs.
Goals: My goals are to successfully complete my studies, and to use that experience to shape a career for myself (most probably in Business) that not only betters my life, but also allows me to help initiate positive change in the communities around the world that I have at one point in my life called “home”.

Third Years

Allison Price

I am a second-year, pre-commerce student from Annandale, Virginia.
Activities: At the University, I am a member of Brothers United Celebrating Knowledge and Success (BUCKS) and the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). I am also involved in the Young Women Leaders Program in which I have two Little Sisters from the Charlottesville community. The purpose of the group is empower at-risk middle school girls to become leaders through a combination of one on one mentoring and group activities. I am also the treasurer of Circle K, an international community service organization that focuses on leadership, fellowship, and service.
Goals: Upon graduating in 2010, I aspire to become a Certified Public Accountant and pursue a career with one of the Big Four accounting firms. I am also considering an occupation in the investment banking field.

Joseph Cordery

I was born and raised in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, a small city about thirty miles west of Philadelphia. I am a third year commerce major with a concentration in finance.
Activities: I am currently in Japan studying the language and learning about the culture. At U.Va., I am the Sector Head for Technology at the McIntire Investment Institute. I also serve as Treasurer for the Roosevelt Institution’s U.Va. Chapter. Goals: Following my graduation in 2010, I hope to obtain a job in the field of Finance.

Fourth Year

Ashley Payne

I live in Hillsborough, NJ and am majoring in Commerce with concentrations in
Finance and Accounting.
Activities: I participate in the Office of African American Affairs Peer Advisor Program and am a Madison House volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club. I also serve as secretary for the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) on grounds. Additionally, I have been an INROADS intern working at MetLife, Inc. for the past two summers and was just recently accepted into the Career Prep program for an organization called Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT).
Goals: I aspire to work in investment banking, obtain an MBA, and eventually become a successful entrepreneur.

Guinee Family Endowed Scholarship
First Years

Chantiel Awkard

I was born and raised in Columbia, Maryland where I attended Oakland Mills High School. My intended area of study is Biochemistry.
Activities: In high school, I was Treasurer of the Student Government Executive Board. I enjoy dancing and cheering, and was a member of Senior Dance Company and Captain of the Varsity Cheerleading squad. I was also a member of the National Honors Society and the Spanish National Honors Society.
Goals: After graduating from U.Va., I plan to attend graduate school and have a career in the field of Biochemistry. I am also considering the possibility of furthering my interest in Pharmacy.

Brian Matthews

I am a first-year student at University of Virginia from Baltimore, MD. I attended Lansdowne High, where I was a member of the Academy of Finance, a nationally accredited program created to address the need to prepare students for professional careers.
Activities: While in high school, I was treasurer of both the Future Business Leaders of America and DECA, National Honor Society, Future Educators of America, and It’s Academic. I also was a mentor for a church program that benefited underprivileged children in the Baltimore community.
Goals: At U.Va., I hope to continue my studies of business and finance by applying to the McIntire School of Commerce after my second year. In doing so, I hope to pursue a career in accounting and entrepreneurship.

Ravenell “Ricky” Keller Memorial Scholarship
Third Year

Ashley Brooke Johnson

Lois Kirby Scholarship
Fourth Year

Jill Jefferson

A resident of Mississippi, I received the Lois E. Kirby scholarship. I am a 4th year at the University of Virginia and double majoring in English and History with a minor in French. I studied abroad in France last year.
Activities: I am the Vice Chair of Criminal Justice in UVa’s NAACP. I am also the Pre-law Chair for the Virginia Themis Society. The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society recently inducted me into its regular membership.
Goals: I would like to attend law school at either Harvard or Yale.

Reid/Ridley Endowed Scholarship
Third Year

Lauren Boswell

I am a third year student from Richmond, Virginia. I am double majoring in Urban and Environmental Planning and African and African-American Studies.
Activities: During my time at U.Va. I have participated in First Year Council on the Cultural and Diversity Awareness Committee, traveled to the Dominican Republic with Alternative Spring Break, and studied abroad in Costa Rica for two months. As a third year, my main activities are being a Peer Advisor for the Office of African American Affairs, a Big Sister for the Young Women Leaders Program and the Leadership Development Co-Chair for the Black Student Alliance. As a Co-Chair for the Black Student Alliance, I am responsible for planning and hosting the Emerging Leader's Retreat, a retreat designed for first and second year students to foster Black leadership at the University.
Goals: In my future, I hope to attend graduate school for Public Policy and eventually attend law school for Environmental law. After graduation, I hope to live and work on Capitol Hill for special interest groups working towards environmental equality and equity.

Ridley Richmond Endowed Scholarship
First Year

Kelsey Bowles

I have lived in the county of Goochland County my entire life. It is a small rural area and I absolutely love growing up in the country. I will be taking the pre-med route and majoring in kinesiology.
Activities: I love to stay active. I have been playing soccer since I was about four years old. I have been on the Girls Varsity Soccer Team since the ninth grade, and for the past two years I have been a co-captain. I am also very involved with music. I have been playing the flute since the fifth grade. I have taken a band class every year since then and I have been a part of my school's marching band since the eighth grade. I was one of the drum majors of the marching band my junior and senior year of high school. In the ninth grade also decided to become an athletic trainer for basketball. My school has a news broadcast called NEWS2 and for the past two years I have been a co-anchor of this broadcast.
Goals: I hope to have the opportunity to study abroad and to pursue a career in medicine

Second Year

Ian McClenny

I am from Chesterfield, Virginia, currently enrolled in the University’s School of Engineering studying Chemical Engineering.
Activities: In my community, I worked at the local YMCA.
Goals: I anticipate continuing my studies through graduate school, aspiring to be a prominent leader in the engineering and business fields.

Third Year

Franklin Tennyson

I am a second-year prospective Government and English major from Glen Allen, Virginia who enjoys literature, music composition, politics, and student leadership.
Activities: I am currently a member of the Virginia Gentlemen a capella group, performing around and on grounds often, as well as traveling to different states and countries for performances. I am also a member of the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, and this past semester I played the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the First Year Players production of Cabaret.
Goals: Strengthened by my past experiences as an advisor to the Virginia State Board of Education, a delegate to The Hague International Model United Nations, and my involvement with various student governments, my goals for the future are aimed towards a career in politics and public service. Before entering public service, I hope to obtain a law degree and work in the corporate realm.

Fourth Year

Spencer Gray

I am from Richmond, VA. I am a Foreign Affairs major concentrating on the Middle East with a minor in Spanish.
Activities: I am involved with the Madison House with their boosters program. I sing as a member of Black Voices. I am heavily involved with UVA athletics in their media department so I may decide to do some work in the future involving film on either side of the camera, whether it be in front of it or behind it. I was also a Tour Guide for the Office of Admissions.
Goals: Spring of ‘08 I am going to study abroad in Valencia, Spain. And as far as life after undergrad, I plan on pursuing the State Dept. as a Foreign Service Officer.

The Gregory Ledford Endowed Scholarship
Fourth Years

Bryan Myers

I am a third year student in the McIntire School of Commerce where I am majoring in commerce with concentrations in accounting and international business with a minor in Spanish. I am from Stafford, VA and from North Stafford High School in 2005.
Activities: At UVa, I stay involved as one of the Drum Majors of the Cavalier Marching Band, founder and treasurer of the ArgHOOers, a tour guide for the University Guide Service, a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, and as a member of the Honor support officer pool.
Goals: In the future I hope to have the opportunity to work abroad in a Spanish-speaking country for a few years and later return to school to earn my M.B.A. and/or J.D.