Four Local Youth Receive College Scholarships

The financial burdens for four college freshmen will be a little lighter this fall thanks to scholarships provided by MPDC. Every year, MPDC awards a number of scholarships to Roxbury youth enrolled in two- or four-year colleges. This year, four $1,250 scholarships were awarded to Marysabel Mejia, Monique Cropper, Tatyjana Draughn and Tynaya Frasier, all Roxbury residents and graduates of Boston Public Schools.

Monique Cropper 2010 Graduate of Fenway High. Attending UMASS Dartmouth majoring in criminal  justice

Marysabel Mejia 2010 Graduate of Boston Latin Academy. Attending BU majoring in physical therapy

Tynaya Frasier 2010 Graduate of Health Careers Academy. Attending BU majoring in biology

Tatyjana Draughn 2010 Graduate of Boston Day and Evening Academy. Attending Monroe College majoring in accounting

The scholarship winners were selected based on their demonstrated academic promise and achievement in high school, performance of community service in Lower Roxbury and displays of character and integrity. The prizes were awarded through two scholarship funds administered by MPDC; The Ralph D. Smith Community Service Scholarship and the Danette Jones Scholarship Fund.

The Ralph D. Smith Scholarship is named after a long-time Lower Roxbury resident, community leader and activist. Mr. Smith was also the founding director of MPDC. He led the charge to redevelop and restore the acres of land left vacant by urban renewal. Mr. Smith left his entire estate to endow a scholarship fund that would help students “who have demonstrated community involvement and service in the Madison Park area.”

The Danette Jones Scholarship is also named after a former director of MPDC. As the second executive director in MPDC’s history, Ms. Jones expanded MPDC’s housing development programs and created various cultural and economic development initiatives. Recipients of the Danette Jones Scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to community service and involvement. This scholarship assists students in paying for books related to their post secondary education.