Boston Latin Academy graduate wins Richard R. Green Scholarship

BOSTON - John J. Casper of South Boston, a graduating senior at Boston Latin Academy, has won the Richard R. Green Scholarship.

The $10,000 prize is presented by the Council of the Great City Schools in honor of Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger, Chairperson of the Boston School Committee, winner of the Council's 2007 Richard R. Green Award for outstanding urban school district leadership.

In the fall, Mr. Casper will attend Boston College, where he also will be enrolled in the Lynch School of Education, with a double major in Secondary Education and General History. He intends to become a high school history teacher.

Mr. Casper wrote in his application, "Over the past six years, I have seen the work that teachers put into educating their students, and I can attest that they are some of the hardest working people." He expressed interest in teaching at his alma mater, Boston Latin Academy, after earning his degree. "I now feel that I owe the Boston Public Schools, and teaching for them would be one way of paying them back."

Because of his outstanding performance on the MCAS exams - scoring "advanced" in Mathematics and "proficient" in English - Mr. Casper also earned a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the fall. Mr. Casper has competed on his school's swim team, serving this year as captain, and outdoor track team. He is also a member of both the South Boston and Mayor's Youth Councils and has volunteered to help homeless men at the Pine Street Inn.

"John Casper is incredibly deserving of this scholarship," said Dr. Reilinger. "With his impressive academic record and strong commitment to public service, John certainly has a bright future ahead of him. We are proud to support John with this scholarship to help him pursue his dream of becoming a public high school teacher."

In honor of Dr. Reilinger winning the Richard R. Green Prize, the scholarship is presented this year to a student graduating from a Boston public high school with a record of academic achievement and a commitment to pursuing a career in public education. It is named in memory of a former Chancellor of the New York City Schools and Superintendent of the Minneapolis Schools. The Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of the nation's largest urban public school districts, presented the award along with ARAMARK, a professional services company; and Voyager Expanded Learning, a company that provides reading and math programs.

Boston School Committee Chairperson Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger (right) and Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson (left) congratulate Boston Latin Academy graduating senior John Casper on winning the Richard R. Green Scholarship. The School Committee and the Superintendent recognized Mr. Casper in a special ceremony at the June 11 School Committee meeting.