Thanks to the U.S. Airways Education Foundation, created by the popular airline carrier, over $250,000 was awarded and split amongst 101 student recipients who applied for the college scholarship, announced U.S. Airways in a press release on Thursday.
The airline announced that over 400 students applied to the program, which was opened to children of U.S. Airways employees, and each winner of the scholarship would get $2,500 towards their college tuition. A committee comprised of educators and community leaders, according to the press released, reviewed the applications carefully before choosing the 101 finalists.
Each application of the U.S. Airways Education Foundation , founded in 1992, was scored based on the students' academic achievements, leadership qualities, awards and honors received, community service and general volunteerism they participated in, their work commitment, and overall financial need of the youths. Students considered needed to acquire an average cumulative grade point average of 3.8. Also checked as part of the application process are letters of recommendation from mentors and teachers, and the applicants personal essays, stated the press release.
"One of the best ways we can serve our employees and our communities is to support the continuing education of tomorrow's leaders. Like their parents who work as US Airways' crewmembers, mechanics, customer service representatives and fleet representatives, to name a few of the workgroups who have dependents receiving scholarships for the upcoming school year, we, too, are extremely proud of this year's recipients," Elise Eberwein, executive vice president of People, Communications and Public Affairs for US Airways, stated for the press release.
Those included amongst the 101 winners were: 39 students from the Charlotte, N.C. area; 20 residing from Phoenix, AZ; seven recipients from Philadelphia, PA; and four from the Washington, D.C. area. All four major U.S. cities, according to the press release, serve as U.S. Airways' hubs and focus cities, where the majority of the carrier's employees reside and work. Of the remaining winners, 21 students live in 18 different cities in the country, and 38 were past scholarship recipients.
The winners were an eclectic group, featuring award-winning musicians, class valedictorians, athletes, and volunteers who aided organizations like Big Brother and Big Sister.
