Local High School Students Win Character Counts Scholarships

This year, four inspiring students received a total of $7,300 in scholarship funds through the W. Edward Bohrer, Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship program.

Presented in partnership with the W. Edward Bohrer Memorial Fund, City of Gaithersburg Student Union, DRS Signal Solutions and Rodgers Consulting, Inc., the scholarships are named for former Mayor Bohrer, under whose leadership the City adopted the CHARACTER COUNTS! program in 1996.

The program rewards students who embody the Six Pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Scholarships were awarded to Kary Enriquez, Fanta Mansaray and Gislene Tasayco of Gaithersburg High School, and Renzo Reyes of Quince Orchard High School.

Since the program launched in 1998, 77 high school seniors have received more than $146,300, in CHARACTER COUNTS! scholarships to help with their college tuition. The following excerpts are taken from the essays of the 2014 scholarship winners: 

“Influence is the process of producing effects on our actions, behavior and opinions.  I have incorporated my parents’ influence into my life.” Kary Enriquez, Gaithersburg High School

“Starting from taking responsibility of my school work, making sure I do all my assignments and keeping track of all important things to actively be involved in environmental activities such as Liberty’s Promise and Student Union (where I help to take care of the environment), I emulated my mother’s exemplary character.” Fanta Mansaray, Gaithersburg High School 

“The most important role model in my life that has helped me to develop the Six Pillars of Character would be my club sponsor and mentor.  She demonstrates all the valuable qualities I hope to further develop in college and in my adult life.” Renzo Reyes, Quince Orchard High School

“Even as I avoid to labor the obvious, my parents were and are my biggest role models.  They showed me to work for what I would need and pursue every goal that I was to ever set my sights on.  They have shared countless stories of perseverance.” Gislene Tasayco, Gaithersburg High School

The W. Edward Bohrer Memorial Scholarship Program is administered by the Gaithersburg Community Services Division in cooperation with the Educational Enrichment Committee. For more information or to donate, call 301-258-6395 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.