ALBANY — The Albany Police Athletic League awarded six eighth-grade students higher education scholarships at its annual scholarship breakfast on Monday.
The Art Mitchell PAL scholarship is designed to encourage eighth-grade students to complete high school and enroll in a college degree, trade or entrepreneurial program. The award, named after former board member and community activist Art Mitchell, is given to students who demonstrate determination toward higher education programs.
“Albany PAL consistently provides the youth of Albany with opportunities for a promising future,” said Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins in a statement. “I am proud of the work of PAL, and the youth, Albany’s brightest, who seize these opportunities.”
Six finalists were chosen for awards ranging from $500 to $2,500. They are:
- Jenia Doweary from North Albany Middle School
- Jude Caton, Reece Henry, Claudia Corradino and Larita Linn from Hackett Middle School
- Giavanna Randall from All Saints Catholic Academy
The league received more than 50 applications from middle school students across the city. The six finalists were chosen on grades, community involvement and written essays, before being selected for an interview.
“I am extremely excited at the response we got this year to our PAL scholarship,” said former Sgt. and PAL Executive Director Leonard Ricchiuti in a statement. “Albany students understand the importance of staying in school and reaching for higher education, which is a message PAL consistently tries to pass on to our youth members.”
Corradino, who was the first-place recipient and awarded $2,500, said she hopes to study genetic engineering and attend Harvard, Columbia or Stanford University. Her goal is to work in cancer research.
She said the hardest part of the application process was the interview portion because of how nervous she…
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