Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar Troy High School Student Takes Second Prize in Student Courage Award

TROY, NY (01/11/2008)(readMedia)-- Troy High School (THS) senior Ashley Chapman was recently selected as one of the recipients of the Martin Luther King 2008 Student Courage Awards. The program is coordinated through Siena College in association with The Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Lecture Series on Race and Nonviolent Social Change.

Chapman was “shocked” to learn that she took 2nd place out of the three possible winners selected. She will be recognized at a ceremony held January 24, 2008 at Siena College and receive a $300 award.

After graduation, Chapman plans to go to college with the intention of becoming a science teacher, and entertains the idea of coming back to teach at THS. She said she enjoys science because “it’s a field that’s always changing, science is never the same.”

Guidance Counselor Charles Riccio said the department nominated Chapman for the award because of all that she has accomplished during her years at the high school. Chapman made the honor roll and is active in numerous extracurricular activities such as: Capital Region Sponsor-a-Scholar; Capital Region Youth Summit; RPI’s STEP program; Troy High’s Peer Leadership Group and Troy High’s Black History Month Committee.

William Corbett, President of Capital Region Sponsor- A-Scholar is extremely proud that Ashley is being recognized as a leader among her peers, as well as a role model for all the students in the Sponsor-A- Scholar program. The Mission of the CRSAS program is to assist students who have the will and desire to successfully complete high school and go on to college.

The Student Courage Award is presented annually to Capital Region youth in grades 6-12, who have been nominated for demonstrating personal courage by taking positive action against racism, prejudice and bias-related violence in their community. Each candidate must have two letters of recommendation, one of which can come from the nominator.

According to the Student Courage Award website, the award honors young people who:

  • Demonstrate extraordinary leadership skills as spokespersons for tolerance.
  • Embody the courage to be bridge builders and peacemakers.
  • Take action fighting intolerance or have engaged in violence prevention or conflict resolution.
  • Stand up against hate and violence.

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