Newark seniors receive $72K in Last Dollar Grants

NEWARK – Doug Ute couldn’t help but notice the list of students receiving Last Dollar Grants during Thursday’s A Call To College’ Annual Student Recognition Breakfast was a long one.

But that was perfectly fine with the Newark City Schools superintendent. That’s how it should be, Ute said.

And the list is expected to get longer. The students at the breakfast represented Last Dollar Grant recipients calculated to date, but staff in the A Call to College Office will continue to process applications throughout the summer, helping even more students fund their college educations. As of Thursday, 72 seniors had been awarded one of the grants.

“It really is a great time to be a Wildcat. It always has been,” Ute said. “We’ve got some kids going off to do amazing things.”

A Call to College has come a long way in its 28 years, said Bill Weidaw, treasurer for the governing board.

When the first Last Dollar Grants were presented, A Call to College awarded $15,000 worth of one-time $500 grants to graduating seniors. Last year, the nonprofit awarded $248,000 in Last Dollar Grants, with each student receiving $1,000 and a chance to renew the grant for four years of undergraduate study.

The nonprofit also has expanded its programs, and now provides early access programming to second-, fourth-, sixth- and eighth-grade students. All of it has been possible, Weidaw said, with the help of the dedicated staff and the many people who donate their time and money to the program.

“Ninety-eight percent of every dollar goes into programming. I don’t know a lot of other nonprofits who could say that,” Weidaw said.

To show the class of 2015 how far education at Newark High School and their Last Dollar Grants can take them, 2011 graduate Amy Lasure returned to Newark to speak at the breakfast.

Lasure just graduated from Ohio University with a degree in human biology and is headed to Shawnee State University to attend graduate school. In reflecting on her experiences, she had some simple advice for the seniors: Get involved, be open to new opportunities and be themselves.

“College really is the best time of your life, so make sure to make the most of it,” Lasure said. “Good luck in all that you do and stay humble — remember how you got to this point.”

The breakfast also served as a recognition of two other seniors who were awarded special scholarships. The Louis A Mitchell/A Call to College Scholar Athlete award was presented to Tyler Coleman. The scholarship is for $3,000 and is a one-time award.

Senior Alexa Elizondo was honored with the Marion D. Wetzel Scholarship, which is valued at up to $15,000 per year and is renewable for four years of undergraduate study.

The annual recognition breakfast is always a proud day for Diane DeLawder, executive director for A Call to College. Seeing the seniors go off to college and knowing that they are prepared for success is rewarding, she said.

“I’m very proud to be a part of this great organization that engages so many people who care about the future of Newark City Schools students,” DeLawder said. “These seniors have big plans for themselves, and we’re glad to help them on their journey.”

emaddern@newarkadvocate.com

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