AFSA Announces Winners of its Scholarship Program.

Business Editors/Education Writers

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2003

The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO, the only national education organization providing labor, professional, and leadership services to public school principals, administrators, and supervisors, announced today it has awarded three college scholarships.

The successful applicants are Daniel Kerr of Staten Island, New York, son of CSA AFSA Local 1 member Rose Kerr; Ryan Lamar Huggins of Canton, Michigan, son of OSAS AFSA Local 28 member Regina Thomas; and Nicholas Alan Pearce of Chicago, Illinois, son of CPAA AFSA Local 2 member Dr. Noble Pearce. Each will receive grants of $2,500 to defray the costs of their higher education pursuits.

"As an education union, AFSA is committed to excellence in public school education, and in doing our part to assist students in pursuing their higher education goals," stated AFSA National President Dr. Joe L. Greene. "It is important to note that the academic achievements of Daniel, Ryan, and Nicholas, and all our scholarship applicants offer further proof that public school education works. We congratulate our winners and wish them continued success in their academic pursuits."

Daniel Kerr ranks within the top one percent of Tottenville High School students in Staten Island, with a grade point average of 95.80. He is a member of the National Honor Society, a National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist, and received the National Latin Exam Merit Award for Perfect Score in 2002. Among his numerous awards, he was a Team Winner in the NYC Interscholastic Mathematics League, Winner of the New York State Mathematics and Verbal Distinction Award from Johns Hopkins University in 1998, and won the President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in 1999. He received the Junior Service Award from the United Hospital Fund, the American Legion Gold Medal for his first place essay, "Terra Nova Letalis" in 2002, and is a graduate of the Junior Statesman of America Program at Princeton University in 2002. He is a member of the high school fencing team, the High School Debate Team, and Yearbook Copy Editor. He tutored students in of Calculus, SAT-1, Math, Latin, and worked as a volunteer at Seaview Hospital and Home. He was the Homecoming/Prom King for the Class of 2003. He expects to attend Princeton, or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall.

Ryan Lamar Huggins of Canton, Michigan has maintained a solid 3.0 grade point average at Canton High School. As a young man with a disability, he overcame many obstacles to become a successful student, hold down a job, and play high school football and basketball. He was named Student of the Month for the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, and volunteers at the Michigan Humane Society. He plans to study business management and operate his own business. He has been accepted at Bakers College of Flint, Mi.

Nicholas Alan Pearce, a student at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago ranks eighth in his class of 436. He founded the Black Student Association at his school in an effort to give African-American students the opportunity to be proactive in school and community improvement. His volunteer work includes assisting at the Chicago Children's Museum, the James Jordan Boys and Girls Club, and the Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center. He plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall.

A record number of applicants across the country vied for AFSA scholarships. Applicants underwent a rigorous evaluation that considered academic achievement, character, leadership, and other criteria. CSA, the Council of Supervisors and Administrators, represents public school administrators and supervisors in the New York City area. OSAS, located in Detroit, is the Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors. The Chicago Principals and Administrators' Association or CPAA is the voice for principals and administrators in greater Chicago. All are local unions of AFSA.

The AFSA Scholarship Program demonstrates AFSA's commitment to higher education. AFSA annually awards successful applicants of member families with grants for higher education based on academic achievement, recommendations, community activities, and other criteria. AFSA is a strong advocate for quality public school education. Founded in 1975, AFSA represents principals, assistant principals, administrators and supervisors in the United States and Virgin Islands. For more information, visit www.admin.org.