AFSA Awards College Scholarships; Winning Applicants from Staten Island, New York City, & Oakland, Calif.

WASHINGTON -- The American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), AFL-CIO -- the union of public school principals and administrators -- announced today the winners of its annual college scholarship awards.

Andrew Kerr of Staten Island, NY; Dominique Fludd of New York City; and Jamilah Cherry of Oakland, Calif. will each receive a grant of $2,500 from AFSA to defray the cost of their higher education in the upcoming 2005-2006 school year.

"As educators who oversee the delivery of quality public school education for K-12, AFSA members dedicate themselves to fostering a love of learning in their students that encourages them to choose higher education to pursue their goals," said AFSA National President Baxter Atkinson. "The AFSA Scholarship Program provides students with some of the means to reach their goals. Andrew, Dominique, and Jamilah are extraordinary achievers, and we wish them great success."

Andrew Kerr currently attends Staten Island Technical High School where he has maintained an "A" average, and was recognized for having ten years of perfect school attendance. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the American Meteorological Society, and the National Ventures Scholars. Andrew received a 2004 award in Who's Who Among American High School Students. He plays the bass clarinet in the high school symphonic band, and is the captain and a most-valuable-player of the Track and Field team. Andrew is the son of Rose Kerr, a member of AFSA Local 1, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) in New York City. He comes from a union family: both grandparents and parents have been union members. Andrew has been accepted to attend Cornell University in the fall.

Dominique J. Fludd of New York City is the daughter of Betty Waiters-Fludd, a member of AFSA Local 1, the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA) in New York City. She attends Frederick Douglass Academy where she is an "A" student, ranking fifth in a class of 150. She is a leader on the Softball Team, and has volunteered as a peer mediator, tutor and recreational specialist at a local community center. Dominique expects to attend Yale University this fall.

Jamilah Cherry of Oakland attends The Head Royce School. She is the daughter of Lauran Michelle Waters Cherry, a member of AFSA Local 83, the United Administrators of Oakland Schools. She received the Presidential Scholar award and the Woman's Varsity Soccer Most Inspirational Award. She is co-president of the Black Student Union, plays soccer on the school's championship team, and has participated in the Beth Eden Baptist Church Youth Group and Gospel Choir. Her extensive volunteer work includes serving as a tutor at Carter Middle School, a YMCA camp counselor, a facilitator of the National Student of Color Conference, and a chaperone/facilitator of A Better Chance New Scholars. Jamilah will study veterinarian medicine and would like to work as a bilingual head veterinarian in the nursery of Washington, D.C.'s National Zoo. College-bound in the fall, Jamilah is currently deciding on where she will study.

The AFSA Scholarship Program is part of AFSA's commitment to higher education. AFSA annually awards successful applicants of member families with grants for higher education based on academic achievement, character, leadership, recommendations, community service, and other criteria.

Note to the Media: photographs are available upon request.