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For Immediate Release:: November 21, 2008

DOE Announces 2008 NJ Rising Scholars Recognition Recipients

Seventy-five New Jersey high school seniors have been recognized as recipients of the 2008 New Jersey Rising Scholars Award, Education Commissioner Lucille E. Davy has announced.

The New Jersey Rising Scholars recognition program honors the academic achievement of high school seniors from diverse backgrounds who are interested in attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and who are leaders in their schools and communities.

A list of the 2008 Rising Scholars is attached. The awards ceremony was held on Sunday, November 16, at the Trenton War Memorial.

More than 250 students applied for the recognition awards. Selections were based on the applicants’ desire to pursue a post secondary education at an HBCU, their grade point averages and SAT/ACT scores, school and community service activities, leadership abilities, and an essay. New Jersey high school seniors being home schooled, as well as those attending public and private schools, were eligible to apply.

"These 75 recognized students are among our state’s best and brightest, and I am proud that they will be representing New Jersey next fall at HBCUs across the country," Commissioner Davy said. "Through self-discipline and determination, they have proven to themselves, their families and their teachers that they have the qualities necessary to achieve success in school and in life."

The honorees received a certificate as well as an opportunity to meet recruiters from colleges and universities participating in the HBCU College Fair. They may also be eligible to receive on-site admissions and scholarship opportunities from selected institutions, have application fees waived and may be eligible to receive one of five $1,000 HBCU Rising Scholars Fund Scholarships.

The recognition program was created by DOE, the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair of New Jersey (HBCU-CFNJ) and the New Jersey Amistad Commission. The scholarships are made available by HBUC-CFNJ in partnership with the Johnson and Johnson African American Leadership Council and Helping Our Neighbors with Our Resources (H.O.N.O.R.).

All NJ Rising Scholars selected are current seniors who meet the following criteria:
1. Attend a New Jersey public school (including Charter Schools) or private school;
2. Have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or a 3.37 or higher on a 4.5 scale.; and,
3. Have obtained a Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score of 900 or above (based on 1600 maximum) or 1350 or above (based on 2400 maximum) OR ACT score of 20 or above.
4. Participate in school activities, community service, and/or employment; and may have received other awards or honors

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