Arkansas high school seniors can now apply for the Oscar Washington Jr., Educational Fund Scholarship, which will award a minimum of seven $1,000 scholarships to college-bound students, according to a news release. The submission deadline is Monday, Feb. 25.
The scholarships are given in memory of Oscar Washington Jr., who at the time of his death in 2017, was vice president of customer service for Entergy Arkansas, where he worked 26 years.
Scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing degrees at four-year colleges and will be based on academic achievement, financial need and volunteer service. Recipients will also receive Samsung tablets from Verizon Wireless, according to the release.
“This scholarship was founded because Oscar was passionate about education and helping young people find success in life,” said Judge Mark Leverett, chairman of the OWJEF Committee. “Our committee is happy to work alongside Oscar’s wife, Doris, and their two daughters, Stephanie and Sydnie, to honor Oscar’s memory in a way that will benefit generations into the future.”
Washington also served as a captain in the Arkansas Army National Guard, was a certified public accountant, held a master’s degree in business and was an entrepreneur.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The scholarships will be awarded at a dinner April 6 at the Great Hall of The William J. Clinton Presidential Library at Little Rock.
Keith Jackson, a Parkview High School graduate who played football for the Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers, will be the keynote speaker. His non-profit, P.A.R.K. (Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids), was founded in 1992 to provide “high-risk” students an opportunity to further their education by completing high school, so they can attend college.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Monday, Feb. 25. Scholarship recipients will be notified by March 22. Applications are available at owjscholarship.com. For dinner tickets, scholarship information or to make a donation, visit owjscholarship.com or call 501-779-1806.