$15 Million Awarded To-Date in College Scholarships for Yawkey Scholars
Five 2021 Yawkey Scholars Each Awarded $140,000 in Tuition Support, plus Advisor Mentoring, Continuing Tom Yawkey’s Legacy of Giving
Dedham (MA), May 24, 2021 – Five outstanding Massachusetts high school seniors were recently recognized for their academic and extracurricular accomplishments by being selected for participation in the Yawkey Scholars Program’s Class of 2021. Each Scholar is awarded a four-year renewable scholarship funded by the Yawkey Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to continuing the philanthropic efforts of Tom and Jean Yawkey.
The Yawkey Scholars Program is designed to make college affordable for talented and motivated high school seniors from Massachusetts who are among the first generation in their family to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The award provides Yawkey Scholars with four-year renewable scholarships of $35,000 per year to offset the cost of attending a private Massachusetts college. In addition to the tuition scholarship funds, all Yawkey Scholars are paired with a professional Yawkey Advisor for mentoring and guidance throughout their entire undergraduate experience. Additionally, Yawkey Scholars may be eligible for supplemental funding from the program in order to participate in activities and experiences, in line with their academic and career goals, that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive.
The Yawkey Scholarship program perpetuates the philanthropic commitment of Tom Yawkey and Jean Yawkey to providing equitable educational access for all. Since 2005, the Yawkey Scholars Program has provided more than $15 million in college tuition support to nearly 350 Scholars in Massachusetts and
Georgetown County, South Carolina. These two regions were particularly special to Tom Yawkey because of his four-decades-long ownership of the Boston Red Sox and the lifelong second home he had in Georgetown County.
The 2021 Yawkey Scholar awardees include Brittany Torro, Dayana Gomez, Haris Metaj, Kain Kaba, and Karen Mai. These young adults have distinguished themselves through their commitment to academic excellence in the classroom and a dedication to community engagement and leadership.
Brittany Torro, Tewksbury
- High School: Shawsheen Valley Technical High School
- College/University: Boston University
- Subject(s) of Interest: Biology
Dayana Gomez, Revere
- Graduating High School: Boston Latin Academy
- Attending College/University: Northeastern University
- Subject(s) of Interest: Health Sciences
Haris Metaj, Stoneham
- Graduating High School: Salem High School
- Attending College/University: Boston University
- Subject(s) of Interest: Finance
Kain Kaba, Boston
- Graduating High School: John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science
- Attending College/University: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
- Subject(s) of Interest: Biology
Karen Mai, Boston
- Graduating High School: Boston Latin School
- Attending College/University: Brandeis University
- Subject(s) of Interest: Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science
“Tom and Jean Yawkey believed in investing in opportunities for young people. The Trustees of the Yawkey Foundation are proud to introduce this newest class of Yawkey Scholars and are honored to support these exceptionally accomplished students by providing the resources they need to help them excel in their college careers,” said Maureen H. Bleday, CEO of the Yawkey Foundation.
Applications for the Yawkey Scholars Program open annually in the fall. Massachusetts high school seniors may access eligibility, application, and program details on the Yawkey Foundation website.
About the Yawkey Foundation
The Yawkey Foundation is dedicated to perpetuating the philanthropic legacy of Tom and Jean Yawkey, whose eight decades of quiet generosity supported individuals and families in the communities that were closest to their hearts – Massachusetts and Georgetown County, South Carolina. Having awarded more than $500 million to-date in charitable grants to organizations focused on Health Care, Education, Human Services, Youth and Amateur Athletics, Arts and Culture, and Conservation and Wildlife, Yawkey Foundation is committed to preserving and sustaining the charitable values of the Yawkeys by investing in impactful nonprofits providing resources, opportunity, and dignity to the vulnerable and underserved. For more information, please visit www.yawkeyfoundation.org or email yawkey@yawkey.org.