by Jonathan McGaha | August 3, 2011 12:00 am
The American Institute of Architects has selected five students to receive the AIA/AAF Minority Disadvantaged Scholarship.
Maureen Chung – Carnegie Mellon
Chung is ranked in the top 1 percent of her graduation class of 418 students at Blue Valley Northwest High School, earning her the title of Governor’s Scholar. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Youth Court, and KAY club (school service club). Chung is an accomplished violinist and pianist, volunteering her time and skill to perform for residents of a local nursing home. She will be attending Carnegie Mellon University in the fall.
Semaj Blackwood – California College of the Arts
Blackwood migrated to the United States after graduating high school at the age of 16 in his native Jamaica. He has been enrolled at Merrit College where he is also a tutor as well as working part-time at a development services program with senior citizens with developmental challenges. Blackwood has been an active participant in the Maxiumim Achievement Project (MAP), a federally funded program to assist with the achievement of African American male students. He will be attending the California College of the Arts in the fall.
Nelson De Jesus Ubri – Parson The New School for Design
De Jesus Ubri graduated as valedictorian of the Pan American International High School (PAIHS) in Queens, New York and will be attending Parsons The New School for Design in the fall. He is a member of the National Honor Society and completed an internship at Indika Entertainment Adversting, a graphic design company. Originally from the Dominican Republic, De Jesus Ubri received the Meritorious Student Award by the president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez. He was also recognized with “Best All-Around Student” at PAIHS.
Zarith Pineda – Tulane University
Pineda graduated from Arlington High School in Massachusetts where she is a member of the National Honor Society, recipient of the CAD Excellence award, as well as recipient of the Medal of Distinction all four years she attended. A native of Columbia, Pineda, currently a college freshman at Tulane, is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Her passion for architecture is apparent to her first year design professor who describes Pineda’s skills as “well above average” and “exceptional”. She has held several jobs while in high school and her first year at Tulane.
Sara Timberlake – University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Timberlake graduated near the top of her high school class while being an active member of the school band, becoming the first chair and section leader, as well as the band advisory board president. She is a member of the National and Spanish Honor Society. Timberlake has been involved with her local Girl Scout Troop for 13 years, where she recently earned her Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. She was named female engineer of the year at Rich Central High school in Illinois, while also being recognized on the Gold Honor Roll for four consecutive years, as well as being the student of the year. Timberlake will be attending the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in the fall.
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