High School Senior Awarded "Invest in Success" Scholarship from Manhattanville College

On Wednesday, February 26, the Centers for Academic Success awarded Jennifer Darden from Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, the “Invest in Success” scholarship.

“My Dad always told me, ‘Reach for the moon. Even if you miss the stars will always catch you.’ He wanted me to never give up,” she said during the ceremony held in the West Room of Reid Hall.

Alumna Christie-Belle Garcia ’07 was the keynote speaker at the ceremony and advised Darden and the other high school seniors at the event to become experts in an area that interests them. “You must become an expert. An expert might do things the untrained eye cannot see; everyone is an expert at something,” Garcia said encouraging the students.

2014 Invest in Success Scholarship recipient Jennifer Darden shares a moment with her parents after finding out she earned the award. Photo by Candice Alcantara 

The Invest in Success scholarship program was established in 2000 to promote higher education among under represented students through educational outreach and financial assistance. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who demonstrates academic commitment and leadership potential. The scholarship covers full tuition, room, and board for eight academic semesters provided the student maintains a minimum 3.0 grade point average, completes 30 hours in Duchesne Center programs per semester, and remains in good social and academic standing.

To be eligible for the scholarship you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or foreign student with valid immigration status, a high school senior with a cumulative GPA of 3.0, and plan on being a full-time undergraduate student at Manhattanville College. 

By Indiadora Nicholson