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Youth Scholarship Program
About the Youth Scholarship Award
The Mount Rainier City Council established the annual Youth Scholarship Award to recognize Mount Rainier graduating seniors and continuing college students who personify a commitment to Higher Education.
The Mount Rainier City Council awards scholarships to graduating seniors or current college students who are continuing their education at a post-secondary institution, including technical or vocational schools.
Apply Now for the second round of the Mount Rainier Youth Scholarship 2024-2025 (Closed)
To be considered for the second round of the Mount Rainier Youth Scholarship you must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a resident of Mount Rainier for at least one year.
- Have a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Must be enrolled in a post-secondary, technical, or vocational institution for higher learning in the United States.
- Complete applications and requirements must be submitted before the deadline.
Youth Scholarship Application Form 2024-2025 (Round 2)
How to Apply
To be considered, applicants must complete all requirements and submit materials before the stated deadline. Deadlines are announced on the City’s website.
- Complete and apply before the deadline.
- Submit a copy of unofficial transcripts.
- Provide two letters of recommendation (sealed) (They may be emailed to the City Clerk).
- Include up to a 500-word essay.
- Be available to meet with the selection committee at their request.
How Scholarship Recipients Are Selected
Scholarship recipients will be determined by the members of the selection board.
Selections will be made without regard to race; color; religion; creed; gender; national origin; age; disability; marital or veteran status; or any other legally protected status.
Selection is based on a combination of determining factors, not solely on GPA. Selection is made on the basis of academic achievement; community involvement; extracurricular activities; and a personal interview.
Questions
Please direct any questions to the City Clerk or to Mayor Celina Benitez, or call City Hall at 301-985-6585.
Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Youth Scholars!
- Amirah Ragin
- Anthony Romero-Gonzalez
- Deandre Page
- Justice Bell-Perry
- Kaitlyn Novoa
- Kevin Agustin
- Kimberly Agustin
- Maricela Gutierrez Lazo
- Maximo Valle
- Montanna Norman
- Rolfe Rodriguez
- Socorro Villanueva
- Yotsi Escobar
Congratulations to the 2023 to 2024 Youth Scholarship Awardees. The awardees demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, and commitment to making a positive impact in our community.
- Anthony Romero-Gonzalez
- Montanna Norman
- Amirah Ragin
- Osman Milla
- Mario Callner-DeRosa
- Maximo Valle
- Sonia Villatoro Ramos FY23 Budget - $1,000 per Awardee
- Amaris Redrick
- Monica Chicas
- Ricka Enwere
- Kaitlyn Novoa
2022 to 2023 Youth Scholarship Program Awardees
Pictured left to right with Mayor Celina Benitez: Cynthia Muñoz, Anthony Romero-Gonzalez, Amirah Ragin, Montanna Norman, Osman Milla, Nery Tobar, and Shirleah Ragin
Mario
Mario has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 18 years and is a graduate of Eleanor Roosevelt High School. He will be attending the University of Maryland in the Fall with a major in Engineering. Mario hopes to complete both his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Maryland and pursue a career at an engineering firm. He has a strong passion for climate change and hopes to make an impact in developing sustainable energy and manufacturing. During the pandemic, Mario has offered his skills tutoring younger students virtually, and in the past, he has served as a volunteer for Ancestral Knowledge summer day camps. Congratulations Mario, we wish you the best!
Terah
Terah has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 16 years and is currently enrolled in Xavier University of Louisiana with a major in Biology. After completing her bachelor's degree, Terah plans on attending medical school to earn an MD / PhD. She aspires to open her own non-profit organization clinic in dermatology and eventually offer a scholarship program available to minorities who would like to pursue a career in medicine. While attending Xavier University, Terah has engaged in volunteer activities including Martha's Table, community clean-ups, and STEM tutoring for elementary students, while making the dean's list for both fall and spring semesters. Congrats to you, Terah; your future is bright!
Osman
Osman has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 15 years and is currently enrolled in the University of the District of Columbia with a major in hospitality management. Upon the completion of his degree, Osman hopes to gain experience in the hotel industry and eventually become an operations manager. Osman has played a big role in the Mount Rainier community through various volunteering opportunities, including helping on Mount Rainier Day, the 2020 Census, National Night Out, and much more. Outside of Mount Rainier, Osman has also lent his aid volunteering in DC with the homeless population as well as volunteering on Martin Luther King Day with schools in the community. Congratulations Osman, wishing you lots of luck!
Shirleah
Shirleah has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 15 years and this April became a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford. Now that she has completed her degree, Shirleah plans to continue her education with a graduate degree in physical therapy. She has been involved in several extracurricular activities including the National Society of Leadership and Success and the African American Student Union. Shirleah has also volunteered extensively by participating in the Mount Rainier Day festival, the University of Maryland concessions, the Special Olympics, the Ecumenical Home, and the Quinn Cook Basketball Camp, and by volunteering on mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Congratulations Shirleah on all your achievements!
Anthony
Anthony has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 11 years, and he will be attending the University of Maryland this fall with a major in engineering or business. Anthony has played a role volunteering in and out of the Mount Rainier community as well as outside of the community. He has volunteered not only at our very own Mount Rainier Elementary, but also at the Elizabeth House food pantry and soup kitchen in Laurel, MD. He also participated in school sports as a member of the Varsity Track and Field and Football teams, while receiving several honor roll awards and maintaining his status on the Dean's List. Anthony was also named an Eastman Fund Scholar for embodying traits of devotion, kindness, concern, humility, and loyalty. Congrats Anthony, we know you will do great.
Avery
Avery has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 10 years and is a current graduate of Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda, Maryland. She will attend the University of San Francisco in the Fall of 2019 to study Public Policy and Advocacy. While adhering to an academically rigorous program at Stone Ridge School, Avery has been very involved in volunteering opportunities. Some of these opportunities include being a volunteer speaker at Mount Rainier Elementary Parent Day, working with Free Minds Book Club for incarcerated young adults, and being an International Partners Community Volunteer in El Aceituno, El Salvador. Congrats to you Avery, your future is bright!
Terah
Terah has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 15 years and is a graduate of Northwestern High School. She will attend Xavier University of Louisiana in the Fall to major in Biology. Terah hopes to complete her bachelor's degree and continue to medical school. She aspires to open her own Dermatology practice upon the completion of her medical degree. Terah graduated from the top 5 percent of her senior graduating class and was awarded the Student of the Year award for the business academy of her high school. She has also been very involved in the Mount Rainier community, participating in the Community Clean up with Joe's Movement Emporium and helping to set up for the annual Mount Rainier Day Festival. Congratulations Terah on all your achievements!
Shirleah
Shirleah has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 21 years and is currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. She is working towards her bachelor's degree and upon its completion, Shirleah plans to enroll in graduate school to obtain her master's degree in physical therapy. She has been involved in several extracurricular activities including the African American Student Union and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as the National Society of Leadership and Success. Shirleah has also volunteered extensively participating in the Mount Rainier Day festival, the University of Maryland concessions, the Special Olympics, the Ecumenical Home, the Quinn Cook Basketball Camp, and on mission trips to the Dominican Republic. Congrats Shirleah!
Osman
Osman has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 9 years and is currently enrolled at the University of the District of Columbia Community College. Osman is currently pursuing his associate degree and upon its completion, he will continue to complete his bachelor's degree in hospitality management. He has been involved in expanding his work experience by becoming a SKAL Scholar, and also has volunteered extensively in Mount Rainier. He has volunteered with the Community Spring Egg Hunt, Mount Rainier National Night Out, and Holiday Pictures with Santa, and has supported several electoral candidates in political canvassing. Outside of Mount Rainier, Osman has lent his aid in volunteering with organizations such as the Washington English Center as a basic English teacher, Carlos Rosario High School on MLK Day of Service, and Feed the Homeless in Washington, DC, distributing food. Congratulations Osman, you'll do great!
Genesis
Genesis has been a resident of Mount Rainier for 18 years and is a rising senior at the Loyola University of Maryland. She is majoring in political science with a focus on international relations. Genesis has a deep interest in different cultures and countries. Her hope is to work with an Embassy dealing specifically with diplomacy and being engaged in critical international conversations. She has been involved extensively in various extracurricular activities on campus holding leadership positions in many of the organizations, some of which include president of the Association of Latin American and Spanish Students, Senior Resident Assistant, Senate Member of the Student Government Association, and more. Genesis also volunteers with CENAES where she teaches in a Spanish Literacy Program to aid those who are trying to learn the Spanish language. Congratulations Genesis, wishing you lots of luck!