WBBM NEWSRADIO
April 22, 2024
Carolina Garibay
CHICAGO — Seniors at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, located on the South Side, were celebrating after being surprised with a scholarship that will help them as they enter their first year of college.
The “Amazon Future Engineer” scholarship went to three seniors at the Chicago Public Schools high school.
Sarah Glavin, with Amazon, said each student will get $40,000 to pursue an education in computer science and a paid internship at Amazon next summer.
“We’ve seen that, as students go into university tracks, we don’t have as many students who continue to pursue and persist in these fields that come from minority communities or young women,” Glavin said.
Recipient Brynn Walker said the scholarship will help relieve a bit of the financial burden, since she plans to attend college out of state.
“That’s a big chunk that will help out,” Walker said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds — a new internship — I’m so excited.”
She was almost as thrilled as her mom Janeen Walker.
“I’m so excited for her and proud of all the hard work that went into this scholarship,” she said. “It definitely encourages her that her hard work pays off,”
In addition to Brynn Walker, Emmanuel Reese and Brianna Johnson were three of 14 Chicago-area students, as well as 400 nationwide, to receive the scholarship.
“I didn’t really think I would get this far,” Reese said.
CPS Chief Schools Officer Felicia Sanders said many of the district’s students need support in order to take their education further or figure out a pathway they’d like to take for their future.
“I believe this program is so critical, and I believe that when they complete college, they will be prepared to enter into their careers,” Sanders said.
