$1,500 Scholarships Presented To 2 Students By Fredericksburg Chamber

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A pair of Fredericksburg area students received scholarship awards from the Fredericksburg Chamber last month. The $1,500 scholarships were open to students who attended a recent Intern Expo hosted by the chamber.

On Monday, the chamber publicly announced the winners in a news release. Officials said Gabrielle Williams from Culpeper and Jamal Johnson, Jr. won the scholarships. The chamber recognized the students at last week's member meeting, officials said.

Williams is homeschooled at the Williams Preparatory Academy and has taken coursework at Germanna Community College. She is also the owner and designer for the clothing company TAVAGA.

"Gabrielle has aspirations to attend a four year college to double major in Biochemistry and Psychology and then on to medical school, to study and obtain a doctorate in pediatrics," the chamber said in a news release. "She also dreams of becoming a children’s book author."

Johnson graduated from King George High School in May. He will be using his scholarship to cover costs at the Culinary Institute of Johnson & Wales in Charlotte, North Carolina this fall.

Johnson is the first person in his immediate family to graduate high school, the chamber said. He is also the first person in his extended family to pursue higher education.

"My mother has instilled in me what hard work and determination is," Johnson wrote in his scholarship application, according to the chamber. "I have dreamed of being a chef for many years and my dream will come true. I pray God continues to bless and watch over me throughout my college journey as I transition into the man He created me to be."

This year, the Fredericksburg Chamber hosted its first Intern Expo. The event included 50 local businesses and drew 500 local high school and college students. The chamber offered the scholarship opportunity to those who attended the event.