Kassandra H., a student from Marietta, received a $2,500 award to participate in academic enrichment programs that will increase her chances of attending college. The awards were presented through the My Future, My Choice, My Education program organized by an alliance between Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF).

Kassandra was one of ten students from Georgia chosen and won the scholarship based on her exceptional academic records, written essays on “why college is important,” letters of recommendation and participation in the HSF/BGCA Alliance programs.

The awardees will enroll in The Princeton Review Smart Start course in Summer 2008. Recipients also will receive a certificate redeemable in their high school junior year that will pay for a PSAT clinic, free SAT preparation courses – including four practice SAT tests – and access to the Online Student Center. These enrichment programs were made possible through a collaborative relationship HSF established with The Princeton Review, the nation’s leading provider of test preparation and counseling.

The other 2008 Georgia recipients are:

• Juan M., 14, Norcross Club
• Jose S., 15, Norcross Club
• Ricardo H., 15, Norcross Club
• Randi V., 13, Norcross Club
• Michael K., 12, Conyers Club
• Paulina R., 15 Conyers Club
• Diana R., 13, Rome Club
• Dictania O., 16, Rome Club
• Harumi L., 16, LaGrange Club

The BGCA/HSF Alliance offers college scholarship opportunities for Boys & Girls Club members participating in BGCA’s Latino Outreach initiative. Working with parents and young people, the alliance reinforces the message that entering and graduating from college are very achievable goals and are essential to a successful future.

About the Hispanic Scholarship Fund

HSF is the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education, having provided 82,000 scholarships totaling $220 million in its 32-year history to Latinos from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Its vision is to strengthen America by advancing college education for Latinos.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 4.8 million young people, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as “The Positive Place for Kids,” the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.