Prone Foundation Gives $3,000 Scholarships to Four BHS Graduates
The non-profit Prone Family Foundation has given four members of Brockton High School’s Class of 2014 a competitive advantage as they begin their college careers – each of the scholarship recipients were given a $3,000 scholarship. The funds will help the students pay for tuition, fees and books at the colleges or universities of their choice.
“This is the kind of financial help that makes a college education possible for some very hardworking students,” said Brockton High School Principal Sharon Wolder. “The Prone Family Foundation has made a significant investment in our Brockton High School students and I know the students will go on to do great things in their lives.”
The Prone Family Foundation was created by the late Attorney Joseph G. Prone, a Harvard Law School graduate and U.S. Army Reserves colonel who believed passionately in the importance of higher education. During his lifetime, Mr. Prone provided scholarships to hundreds of deserving students in his hometown of Lawrence, MA and in communities across the Commonwealth.
This year, the Prone Family Foundation partnered with the Brockton Educational Foundation to launch “Dollars for Brockton Scholars,” a scholarship program that encourages citizens, alumnae, boosters and businesses to donate funds for scholarship to Brockton High School seniors. Donations are tax-deductible and leveraged: the Prone Family Foundation will match your gift dollar for dollar up to $25,000.
“The Prone Family Foundation is truly making students’ dreams come true, and we are hoping that many others will take up the Dollars for Brockton Scholars challenge and give generously,” said Laurie Silva, Director of Grants and Development for the Brockton Public Schools.”
Jahaira Semedo is one of the four members of the Class of 2014 to receive a Prone Foundation Scholarship. She will use the money to help offset fees and the cost of books and materials as she studies engineering at Penn State University next year. Jahaira and her mother are using savings and some student loans, but this will help to ease the burden since she also has a 5-year-old brother.
A leader among her peers and the highest academically ranked member of the 240-student BHS JROTC corps, Jahaira was also a member of the National Honor Society, the Senior Executive Council, the JV Soccer Team and a Brockton Youth Soccer Association volunteer coach.
“When I found out, I was speechless,” Jahaira said. “This is such a big help and I am so grateful.”
The other three BHS seniors to receive the Prone Family Foundation Scholarship are John Daly, Kimberly La, Cara Bosco.
For more information about Dollars for Brockton Scholars, please click here.