Boys Town D.C. Youth Receives $2,500 Scholarship

One of Boys Town Washington D.C.’s finest was recognized at the Spirit of Youth breakfast fundraiser September 22 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel when she was granted a $2,500 scholarship. 

Keyona, a former youth and a junior biology and pre-medical student at North Carolina Central University, was granted the scholarship from Boys Town after her former Family-Teacher, Donnell Potts, learned she needed assistance buying text books. Boys Town Washington D.C. Executive Director Jeff Peterson and event emcee Barbara Harrison of NBC 4 News in D.C., presented the award to Keyona at the breakfast to a crowd of more than 100 people. 

“She was extremely excited,” Tosha Roundtree, Boys Town Washington D.C. Development Director, said of Keyona’s reaction to learning she was receiving the scholarship and would be given transportation from North Carolina to D.C. for the event.

To express her appreciation, Keyona took the stage to speak about her time at Boys Town Washington D.C., telling the audience of the difficulties she incurred when first coming to the site and the success she is experiencing now because of her time there. 

The attendees also heard from another youth, Sloane, as they enjoyed their breakfast. He told them about his experiences at Boys Town Washington D.C. and how it gave him the opportunity to meet the staff at The Ritz, where he participated in a job shadow program with one of the chefs. Sloane said the program at The Ritz has opened his eyes to the hospitality industry and has since given him the focus he needs to continue his studies in the field. 

The floor was then turned over to special guest speakers, Congressmen Lee Terry of Nebraska and John Conyers of Michigan. Terry informed the audience about the need for Boys Town in the D.C. community and the great work that the organization does every day. An unplanned surprise, Conyers asked to speak, expressing newfound enthusiasm about the work he learned Boys Town was doing and how happy he was to be a part of the celebration. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the event. Your support makes all the difference in the lives of children like Keyona and Sloane.