Red Sox Scholars Class of 2010 introduced at Fenway Park

The Boston Red Sox introduced the Red Sox Scholars Class of 2010 in an on-field ceremony with Red Sox players at Fenway Park prior to the Sunday, June 13th Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies game.  The 25 new Red Sox Scholars, who will enter sixth grade in the fall, are all academically talented, financially challenged middle school students in the Boston Public Schools and join seven previous classes of Scholars. There are now 200 Red Sox Scholars supported by the Red Sox Foundation, the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, including 18 Scholars  in the first class of Red Sox Scholars selected in 2003, who are  graduating from high school, and who will be attending college  in the fall.

The Red Sox Scholars program is the educational cornerstone of the Red Sox Foundation and is presented by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the Official Hospital of the Boston Red Sox.   Each of the 25 Scholars will receive a college scholarship, along with access to tutoring and mentoring from Red Sox Foundation staff members and other after-school enrichment activities during their middle school years.  The scholars will also have access to valuable connections with after-school programs, summer camps and jobs programs, as well as support for their college applications, during their junior and high school years.   

The scholarship program is open to all 5th grade students in the Boston Public Schools. The Red Sox Scholars program is generously supported by grants from The Highland Street Foundation, Target, the Peter Lynch Foundation and Microsoft as well as fundraising events conducted by the Red Sox Foundation.

“The Red Sox Scholars Program helps harness the passion fans and sponsors have for the team to help open the doors of opportunity to college for talented low-income students,” said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner.  “We are very proud  to be able to celebrate not only the new Class of Scholars, but also members of the first class of graduating Red Sox Scholars selected seven years ago, who have beaten the odds and will be attending college this fall.  The Red Sox Foundation is very grateful to the Highland Street Foundation, Target, the Peter Lynch Foundation and Microsoft as well as BIDMC for their support in making the dream of college for these students possible.”

“This year’s class of Red Sox Scholars represents some of the best and brightest students the Boston Public Schools has to offer,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “We applaud the Red Sox Foundation for honoring these students for their academic achievements and for supporting these young scholars as they progress through middle school, high school and go on to college. This is a memory and an experience that will last a lifetime.”

In the pre-game ceremony each new 5th grade Scholar and a 12th grade Scholar graduating from high school and attending college in the fall was escorted to the baseline by a Red Sox player and a health professional from BIDMC.  Each year, BIDMC provides 25 volunteers to serve as “Medical Champions” for  Scholars in their 6th grade year.  These generous health care professionals help introduce the youngsters to possible health professions and serve as hosts of a “Shadow Day” at BIDMC during the Scholars’ 6th grade year.

“Every year, we are so proud to stand here with these wonderful, talented students and all the people involved with creating such an innovative program,” said Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center President and CEO Paul Levy.  “But this year is extra special because the first class of Scholars is graduating.  Their success makes it all worthwhile, and reflects our commitment to the community along with our partners at the Boston Red Sox.”

The first class of Red Sox Scholars will commence their freshman year of college this fall.  The next six classes of Red Sox scholars will enter seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth grades in the fall.  They all participated in Sunday’s pre-game ceremony to help welcome this year’s class to the Red Sox Scholar program.  

In addition to the scholarships, payable directly to the accredited college after the Scholar successfully completes high school and enrolls in college, the Red Sox Foundation provides educational and social activities for the children and mentoring and academic tutoring. The scholarships are conditioned on each Red Sox Scholar maintaining good citizenship throughout their educational careers.

The new 25 Red Sox Scholars to be inducted as the Class of 2010 are:

·         Lillie Acoff from Mozart Elementary School (Roslindale)

·         Kristopher Aime from Haley Elementary School (Roslindale)

·         Marlon Allen from Roosevelt Elementary School (Hyde Park)

·         Yearlson Baez from Sarah Greenwood K-8 School (Dorchester)

·         Damaris Berrio from Bradley Elementary (East Boston)

·         Benjymino Celestin from Mattahunt Elementary (Mattapan)

·         Amber Chen from Ohrenberger K-8 School (West Roxbury)

·         Koraliz Cruz from Jackson Mann K-8 School (West Roxbury)

·         Tyschelle Daniels from Mattahunt School (Mattapan)

·         John DiGiacomo from Umana Barnes Academy (East Boston)

·         Vanessa Forbes from Gardner Pilot Academy (Allston)

·         Dejon French from Winthrop Elementary School (Dorchester)

·         Sebastian Jaramillo from Bradley Elementary (East Boston)

·         Adama Kaba from Mather Elementary School (Mattapan)

·         Veena Lagare from Ohrenberger Elementary (West Roxbury)

·         Brian McMahon from Murphy Elementary School (South Boston)

·         Manuala Medina from John Winthrop School (Dorchester)

·         Tristan Nahim from Mozart Elementary School (Roslindale)

·         Adrina Patino from Ohrenberger Elementary School (West Roxbury)

·         Esther Saint Fort from Kenny Elementary School (Dorchester)

·         Yrvine Thelusma from Henry Grew Elementary School (Hyde Park)

·         Amy Trifoni from Ohrenberger School (West Roxbury)

·         Dylan Wilson from Mozart Elementary School (Roslindale)

·         Christina Yee from Josiah Quincy Elementary School (Chinatown)

·         Maya Young from Ohrenberger Elementary School (West Roxbury)

2010 Red Sox Scholars Biographical Information

About the Red Sox Foundation

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation is committed to using the power of Red Sox Nation to support community partnerships that will improve the lives of children, adults and families across New England.  The Foundation’s efforts are primarily focused on four cornerstone programs, and the new Home Base Program.  A 501c3 nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation raises most of its funds through special events with Red Sox owners, players and their wives,  donations and fundraising activities. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for its innovative programs and impact in the community including the 2009 Patterson award for Sports Philanthropy also known as the “Best Sports Charity” award given by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Sports Philanthropy Project. For more information about the Red Sox Foundation and the Red Sox Scholars Program, please visit www.redsoxfoundation.org.