Teen in Cranston wins scholarship honoring Roger Williams

The Rhode Island Foundation is sending a student who lives in Cranston off to college with a scholarship honoring Roger Williams, the state’s founding father. Pichkatna “Hannah” Ung won the four-year, renewable scholarship through the Carter Roger Williams Initiative, which was launched last year by philanthropists Letitia and late John Carter.

“Roger Williams had the opportunity to further his education because of those around him. Thanks to the vision of the Carter family, we are able to encourage students and their parents to think big about what’s possible for their future,” said Foundation Executive Vice President Jessica David, who leads the initiative.

Nearly 150 students from throughout Rhode Island competed for the scholarship assistance. Ung was selected based on academic achievement, financial need, appreciation for Roger Williams’ values and record of community service.

Ung and her family recently moved to Cranston from Providence, where they had lived since immigrating to America in 2014. She attends the William B. Cooley Health and Science Technology Academy at the Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex in Providence.

“My journey in this country has been really challenging but transformative, I have developed a stronger character and be able to adapt to the new environment with great people,” she said.

Ung plans to attend the University of Rhode Island. In her application, she wrote about what she has learned from Roger Williams’ values.

“I admire Roger Williams' desire to learn new things. Even though he already mastered in five languages, he was willing to learn the Native American language just so he could communicate with them. It really showed me education is the only thing that nobody can take away from us, and we can use knowledge and education to solve the conflicts,” she said.

Ung was on the wrestling team, participated in Beat the Streets and Young Voices, is a member of the National Honor Society and interned with the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University.

“As a member of a community that is predominantly of people of color, I believe we should work together to solve an issue and also to understand each other's stories and experiences based on our identities,” she said.

Ung is one of seven Rhode Island students to receive scholarships through the Carter Roger Williams Initiative at the Foundation. The winners are eligible for nearly $300,000 in college aid over four years.

In addition to the scholarships, the Carter Roger Williams Initiative offers a website – findingrogerwilliams.com -- that includes educational resources for students and educators and awards grants of up to $400 to underwrite school field trips to the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence.

“By providing access to resources and opportunities inspired by our state’s founder and his teachings, we are promoting a sense of place and awareness for all Rhode Islanders,” said the Foundation’s David.

The Rhode Island Foundation is the largest and most comprehensive funder of nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. Working with generous and visionary donors, the Foundation raised $38 million and awarded $43 million in grants to organizations addressing the state’s most pressing issues and needs of diverse communities in 2017. Through leadership, fundraising and grantmaking activities, often in partnership with individuals and organizations, the Foundation is helping Rhode Island reach its true potential. For more information, visit rifoundation.org.